If you thought maintaining oral health only benefits your teeth and makes them look shiny, you are mistaken. Good oral hygiene is very important for more reasons than just your teeth. Not only are your gums important, but poor oral health such as cavities, infections and more could even affect other aspects of your overall health. However, optimum oral health cannot be achieved overnight. It requires a lifetime of good habits. From childhood to elderly age, every stage in life requires proper dental care and attention.

Why do you need to maintain good oral health?

Maintaining oral hygiene is to avoid plaque buildup that can cause tooth decay, but there are other reasons why oral hygiene is important.

1. Prevents oral diseases

Prevention of oral diseases is the top benefit of good oral hygiene. Maintaining oral hygiene has a lot to do with helping you examine and evaluate dental conditions, and seeking a dentist's intervention at regular intervals.

Maintain oral hygiene to keep oral diseases at bay. Image courtesy: Freepik

2. Prevents tooth loss

Are you afraid that you are going to lose your teeth when you age? According to the Journal of the American Dental Association, more than 1 in 3 adults 65 years or older have lost 6 or more teeth. Maintaining regular dental hygiene can help you lower the risk and prevent tooth loss.

3. Improves digestion

Healthy teeth and gums ensure that you can chew your food properly, aiding in better digestion and nutrient absorption. A study published in the Journal of Gastrointestinal Oncology, maintaining oral health can reduce the risk of poor oral hygiene, periodontitis, and even gastrointestinal cancer.

4. Reduces heart disease risk

Not maintaining oral health can put you at a higher risk of having heart disease, according to data by Harvard Medical School. It found that periodontal disease contributes to the body's inflammatory load. Numerous body regions, including artery inflammation, can be impacted by chronic inflammation and lead to heart diseases.

5. Improves overall health

Apart from heart diseases, not maintaining oral hygiene can lead to bacterial pneumonia, pregnancy complications, low birth weight, cancer, and sepsis. You can avoid these problems by maintaining oral hygiene.

How to maintain good oral health through the ages?

Regardless of how old you are, you can maintain good oral health and take care of your teeth and gums, as recommended by Prosthodontist and Implantologist Dr Milind Karmarkar.

Children: From infancy to age 12

Good oral hygiene habits inculcated from childhood can sustain a lifestyle. Much of it depends upon the parents and caretakers to instill this habit. Here's how parents can build a strong foundation when it comes to their kids' oral health:

• Early cleaning: After feedings, a baby's gums should be gently cleaned using a soft, damp cloth, even before they grow their teeth.
• First tooth, first visit: A dental check-up for your child on his/her first birthday is necessary.
• Supervision and education: Small children need help with brushing until they reach a certain age. They should be taught the correct way to brush and about spitting out toothpaste.
• Diet considerations: Limiting their sugar intake can help provide them with some tooth-friendly options like fruits, vegetables, and cheese.

Teenagers (Aged 13-19)

Hormonal changes during the teenage years may result in changes in oral health. It is important to take your independence to look after yourself and your diet seriously. Here are some expert-approved ways to navigate the teenage years:

• Consistent brushing: Teens need to brush their teeth at least twice a day with fluoride toothpaste for the advanced protection of sensitive teeth and great improvement in overall gum health.
• Mouthwash benefits: Fluoride mouthwash provides additional protection against the formation of cavities as well as refreshes breath.
• Orthodontic evaluation: During teenage years, if a child has crowded teeth or bite-related problems like an overbite and so on, an orthodontic assessment may be required.

Adults (Aged 20-64)

During adulthood, good oral hygiene becomes more significant, along with the persistence of regular dental check-ups. Here's how to maintain healthy teeth and mouth during adulthood:

• Regular check-ups: Regular visits to a dental clinic every six months are necessary to prevent certain problems and detect them at an early stage.
• Regular brushing: Brushing fluoride toothpaste twice a day is still the core of good oral hygiene. It can provide all-day protection against oral health issues.
• Use of specially developed products: Special fluoride toothpaste protects sensitive teeth well. It also has advanced action for the health of gums.
• Follow a healthy diet and lifestyle: Sugar and acid intake can be limited to secure a healthy mouth.

Maintaining good oral health to maintain a healthy smile. Image courtesy: Pexels

Elders (Aged 65 years and above)

As you age, your mouth changes and you can develop new oral health issues:

• Managing dry mouth: Dry mouth is a common issue in older adults that can have side effects from medications or medical conditions. People should talk with a dentist about ways to manage dry mouth.
• Gentle care: Clean the teeth gently with a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste for sensitive teeth and gums.
• Regular dental visits: Older adults must keep regular dental check-ups. This allows the dentist to track oral health issues closely that are associated with aging.

Your dental health changes throughout the years and it is important to take care of your teeth at every stage of life. Following these age-specific tips along with regular consultation with a dentist will help an individual keep his or her teeth and gums in good health for a lifetime.

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