World Oral Health Day is held every year on 20th March and aims to promote worldwide awareness of the issues surrounding oral health and the importance of oral hygiene.90% of the worlds’ population will or has suffered from oral diseases during their lifetime due to negligence. Poor oral care can lead to serious health problems if left unchecked.
The ‘Healthy Mouth. Healthy body’ campaign this year reflects the growing number of research studies carried out discussing how bad oral care increases the likelihood of certain types of health problems.
One serious health problem would be developing cardiovascular disease. Bacteria from gum disease can enter your blood and travel to the arteries and in time plaque will be able to form and thicken the arteries. This then increases the risk of high blood pressure, a heart attack or a stroke.
Respiratory infections in the lungs are also increased due to ingesting and breathing in bacteria from infected teeth and gums for a long period of time.
Studies have also shown that people who suffer from diabetes and have gum disease have a harder time controlling their blood sugar levels. There are some things you can do on your own to prevent poor oral hygiene: Brush at least twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste, floss daily, use a fluoride mouthwash and eat less of the food and drink which can damage your teeth.
By practicing better dental hygiene, you can not only help protect your teeth from damage and disease but protect your body too.