The Relationship Between Oral Health Cavity And Mouth Health
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Doctors often use the term ‘Oral Cavity’. What they are really referring to is simply, your mouth. Basically, your oral cavity anatomy consists of lips, teeth, tongue, and the associated salivary glands. We are often asked to maintain good oral health. It is because poor oral health is not only associated with teeth and gum problems but also with chronic diseases like diabetes and heart disease.
Why Oral Health Is Important
Oral health plays a very important role in our day-to-day functioning. Our ability to smile, chew, breathe, and speak properly hinges on our oral health. The lips, tongue, teeth, and other parts of our oral cavity allow us to produce speech and communicate efficiently. Apart from this, our oral cavity also plays an important role in the food digestion process.
Oral cavity also provides an alternate passage for air to enter our respiratory tract when we inhale and exhale. It’s especially helpful when it’s hard to breathe through our nose.. Example, when our nose is blocked due to the common cold.
Why You Should Take Care of Your Oral Cavity Health
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Do you know that more than 40% of adults visit a dentist every year with complaints of mouth pain? Oral health problems are widespread. They are a direct consequence of ignoring oral hygiene and engaging in habits that harm one or the other part of the oral cavity anatomy. Some examples are consuming too many sugary foods and beverages, chewing tobacco, smoking, and drinking excessively.
Constantly abusing your oral health over a period of time can also result in premalignant conditions of oral cavity like oral submucous fibrosis. These conditions put you at a greater risk of developing cancer.
Some of the most common oral cavity problems are listed below:
Tooth cavity
Gum problems
Oral or mouth cancer
1. Tooth Cavity
Eating too many sugary food items like cakes and candies makes the bacteria present on the plaque of the teeth to produce more acids. These acids break down the enamel of the teeth. If neglected cavities can lead to severe gum infections which can be fatal.
2. Gum Problems
The bone that holds the teeth is characterized by inflamed or swollen gums. Chronic health conditions like diabetes and a weak immune system can cause gum diseases. Poor oral hygiene and tobacco use can also affect your gum health.
3. Oral or Mouth Cancer
Oral cavity anatomy cancers are a direct result of neglecting oral health. They are also caused by high risk behaviors like alcohol abuse, consuming tobacco, chewing betel leaves, and smoking excessively. Mouth cancer is generally preceded by red and white patches in certain areas of the mouth. These are known as premalignant conditions of oral cavity. Some remain harmless while others develop into cancers.
How to Maintain Good Oral Cavity Health
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Now you know that maintaining a healthy oral health is crucial for an optimal functioning of your body. Moreover, maintaining such health doesn’t have to be difficult. Incorporating a few changes in your life can make a world of a difference to your mouth and teeth.
Regularly brush your teeth two times a day using a fluoride toothpaste.
Apart from brushing, make it a habit to floss daily.
Eat healthily and the consumption limit sugary foods.
Drink sufficient amounts of water after sugary food or beverages to flush away the sugar and acids.
Change your toothbrush after every 3-4 months if you find its bristles wearing off.
Quit habits like smoking, tobacco chewing and excessive drinking.
Oral cavity is thus linked to your overall health. Taking care of it by practicing good oral hygiene, regular dental checkups and limiting the intake of foods that compromise its functioning will go a long way in preventing painful oral health ailments.