This is an article which emphasizes on the importance of Oral Health.
An overview of oral health
Good oral health
and strong teeth are essential for being able to consume and digest nutritious foods. Digestion of food begins in the mouth when food is chewed and mixed with saliva.
Traditional times
Aboriginal people had almost no
dental decay or gum disease when eating a traditional diet which had a very low sugar content. Food was natural and unrefined and required lengthy and vigorous chewing. The chewing stimulated health promoting saliva and helped keep teeth clean. People still got dental abscesses and toothache because teeth were worn right down to the gum level by coarse bush food and grit in food that had been processed. Aboriginal people used their teeth as ''tools'' and a third hand, causing added wear to their teeth. Tooth loss also resulted from injury and extraction for ceremonial purposes.
Nowadays
Many Aboriginal children and adults have poor dental health as a consequence of: &
middot; eating highly processed foods which are often high in sugar that causes tooth decay
· little or no oral hygiene practices
· low fluoride intake in some areas of the NT
· an inability or unwillingness to access dental care
· diabetes induced, severe periodontal disease.
Good oral health is important for good health in general... Dental caries (decay) and periodontal (gum) disease can cause pain and tooth loss.Poor oral health can contribute to a number of medical conditions and make them worse.
Levels of tooth decay vary from individual to individual, family to family, and to an extent, community to community. Variations are influenced by:
· level of fluoride in the water supply
· the amount of cool drinks, sweet foods and ''junk'' food consumed
· tooth-brushing habits
· regularity of oral health checks
· lifestyle and level of morbidity in communities
Decay
Bacteria in the mouth produce acid after a person eats food or drinks fluid containing sugar. Unless removed, this acid can destroy the protective enamel covering teeth, thus causing decay. Decay causes severe pain which impacts upon the ability of people to enjoy life and be productive. Decay can cause loss of teeth which impacts upon ability to eat, nutrition in general and speech.
Gingivitis
If teeth are not brushed and plaque is left around the gum margins, gingivitis results. Gum margins look red, swollen and bleed when pressed or when teeth are brushed. A majority of adults and children from eight or nine years of age onwards have some degree of gingivitis. Gingivitis is generally painless and almost harmless, though it can be a worry to children or adults who have just started brushing their teeth and find blood on their brushes or in their spit. Swollen gums and plaque build-up may create a niche for decay to occur and may predispose to more severe disease. It may also cause bad breath. Prevention includes removal of plaque by properly brushing the teeth and gums with a soft toothbrush for two to three minutes once or preferably twice each day.
Periodontal disease
Periodontal disease is a separate disease from gingivitis, caused by different bacteria. It is a progressive disease which causes loss of bone around the teeth and the destruction of the ligaments that attach the roots of the teeth to the underlying bone. The rate and severity of periodontal disease can vary greatly. Some young adults, especially those with diabetes, may have severe bone loss, tooth mobility and pain when eating. Many middle aged people may have only limited bone loss, gum recession and no pain. Very often they have almost no bone left ae roots of teeth and may have to attend the dentist for extraction of one or more painful teeth. Prevention of periodontal disease includes:
· a healthy diet
· management of diabetes
· cessation of smoking
· plaque control using a toothbrush
· regular check up visits with a dentist for advice and treatment
What can you do for yourself?
Maintain a high level of oral and dental hygiene. In addition to brushing, it is important to clean between the teeth using dental floss, woodsticks or an inter-dental brush as recommended by your dentist or pharmacist. Use a tongue cleaner and clean right to the back of the tongue. Use a mouthwash recommended by your dentist or pharmacist. The best time to use it is just before sleeping. Drink plenty of fluids, avoiding too much coffee. Clean your mouth after eating milk products, fish and meat. Chew sugar-free gum, especially if your mouth feels dry. Eat fresh, fibrous vegetables. Visit your dentist regularly and have your teeth professionally cleaned as required.
Caring for your child''s teeth Start brushing as soon as teeth appear. Brush thoroughly twice a day (just before bed is important). Help your child brush until they are able to do it well by themselves - usually around the age of seven. Use a fluoride toothpaste and encourage your child to spit after brushing; do not rinse afterwards as this reduces the benefits of the fluoride in the toothpaste. Use a tiny smear of toothpaste for babies and a pea-sized amount for children. Young children will swallow the toothpaste; use a children''s toothpaste with reduced fluoride until they are able to spit well. Visit a dentist regularly to get your child used to the surgery.