Dental health refers to all areas of the mouth, but particularly to the teeth and the gums. Your teeth and gums need to be kept clean and infection-free. Poor oral hygiene and infections in the mouth may lead to cavities, tooth decay, inflammation, bad breath, gum recession and tooth loss.
Brushing and flossing your teeth every day is very important if you want to enjoy optimal dental health. Plaque is what causes the many of the most common problems inside the mouth. It is the residue left over on your teeth when food, bacteria or organic matter linger in your mouth. The bacteria found in plaque turn acidic and cause cavities. The best defense against plaque is to remove it before it has a chance to build up. Brushing your teeth will remove plaque from the teeth and gums. Flossing will remove plaque from between the teeth.
The body's overall health is greatly affected by dental health in numerous ways. Being able to properly chew and swallow food is vital in order to obtain the nutrients needed for good health. Poor dental health not only impacts one's nutrition, but it can also negatively affect one's speech and self-esteem. Diseases caused by poor dental health can impose both social and financial burdens on people, and some treatments are extremely costly.
Some of the health issues that stem from poor dental hygiene include: