Dental and oral health should be a vital part of your overall health and wellness. Poor oral hygiene results in tooth problems like a disease of the gums and cavities. Infections in the oral cavity have even been known to relate to cancer, heart disease, and diabetes. Taking care of your teeth (not just by brushing twice a day) takes hard work, and is a lifelong responsibility.
Brushing, flossing, and limiting acidic food and sugary food is something you can do on a personal level. According to the World Health Organization, 60%-90% of people have a minimum of one dental cavity. Severe gum disease is prevalent in around 20% of adults between the ages 35 - 44. In people aged 65 to 74, 30% don’t have any of their original teeth left. Out of 100,000 people, there are between 1 - 10 cases of cancer of the oral cavity.
With such startling facts from the World Health Organization, you’d think that people would take better care of their teeth. Recommendations from the World Health Organization state that avoiding tobacco, drinking water with fluoride, and seeking professional dental care go a long way in preventing bad teeth and keeping your oral health intact.
Symptoms of Dental/Oral Problems
It's not a good idea to wait till you have teeth troubles or oral issues to visit your dentist. Dentists recommend visits twice a year. The reason is that they will likely be able to detect tooth problems before any major symptoms are evident. The following are warning signs that should compel you to pay your dentist a visit:
- Bad breath
- Loose teeth
- Mouth ulcers/blisters, sores, and tender areas in your mouth that don’t heal in a week
- Cracked/broken teeth
- Pain while biting and chewing
- Dry mouth that occurs frequently
- Gums that recede, are swollen, or bleed after brushing/flossing
- Swollen cheeks/face
- Tooth pain
- Sudden onset of tooth sensitivity to hot or cold beverages/food
In case any of these signs are accompanied by facial and neck swelling or a moderately high fever, you should seek immediate medical treatment.
The “Why” of Dental/Oral Disease
Tooth issues can prove to be expensive, not just in terms of monetary means, but also regarding the physical pain they cause, not to mention the mental stress.
Some regular insurance companies may not cover dental care, but financial organizations may cover your dental woes with a health card. Bacteria, viruses, and fungi tend to collect in the oral cavity. Some of these belong in the oral cavity, making up the normal components of it. Nonetheless, diets rich in sugar create conditions in which bacteria that produce acids thrive.
These acids dissolve the enamel of teeth and result in dental cavities. Near the line of your gums, plaque may flourish, forming a sticky matrix. Over time, this hardens, while traveling down the length of teeth. If plaque isn’t regularly removed by flossing, it can inflame gums and cause gingivitis.
When inflammation increases, gums start pulling away from teeth. Pockets may be created and pus may collect. This is an advanced stage of gum disease called periodontitis. Smoking, poor brushing habits, snacking on sugar-based food and drinks, diabetes, genetics, hormonal fluctuations, acid reflux, and not routinely visiting the dentist are all causes of tooth problems. Dentists can diagnose potential problems and recommend solutions better than laypeople, and that’s why routine check-ups are vital.
Dentists professionally clean teeth and this can prevent a lot of pain in the long run. They may also detect serious health problems such as oral cancer before it's too late.
A Healthy Solution
Though most people put off dentist visits and neglect oral and dental health due to a number of reasons, cost being one of the main ones, it is imperative to see a dentist routinely, while taking care of teeth at home. Avail the Bajaj Finserv Health EMI Network Card, giving you the chance to divide your hospital, pharmacy, and diagnostic bills into convenient EMIs, payable in flexible tenors of up to 2 years.
You get health care benefits for several health issues, from dental care and skin problems to cosmetic surgery and cardiac health. You can also choose from 5,500+ partner health care facilities in 1,000 plus cities by using the Health EMI Network Card.
Shailendra Kumar
Shailendra Kumar is an experienced Financial Consultant and Tech Reviewer who has 6+ years of experience in the field of finance, business, and technology. He is very passionate to write about Finance, Business, Technology, Gadgets, Digital Marketing, Fashion, Lifestyle, etc.
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