Good dental health not only makes you look good but also makes you feel good. Dental health is an important aspect of overall health and wellbeing. Tooth cavities and gum diseases may cause complications, intense pain, disability and poor quality of life. Maintaining good dental health involves keeping the gums healthy and the teeth plaque-free. Poor dental health is bad for your appearance and self-esteem. In children, poor dental health may also contribute to behavioural and developmental disorders. Good nutrition is vital in keeping your teeth and gums healthy. It also promotes fast wound healing and better resistance to common mouth diseases. Smoking leads to poor dental health and is the major risk factor for oral cancer. Tobacco reduces blood flow in the gums, depriving them of oxygen and necessary nutrients for vitality and proper functioning. Good dental health should be prioritized throughout all stages of your life. Tooth development occurs early during childhood and adolescence. In adulthood, dental health is often times neglected because of our busy lifestyles, as well as increased exposure to smoking, alcohol drinking and unhealthy foods. Finally, the aged are at the highest risk for poor dental health because of frailty. If left unattended, they may suffer from acute symptoms of pain and infection. Poor dental health is signalled by gum disease or gum inflammation. These conditions adversely affect the bone supporting your teeth. Tooth plaque on the other hand, is a sticky and colourless film deposited by bacteria. In time this thickens and hardens on the surface of the teeth. If it is not removed properly by brushing and flossing, it may harden to become tartar. Which in turn may lead to tooth and gum infections. When you don’t prioritize your dental health, gum diseases can lead to tooth loss, heart disease or stroke. Bacteria from the mouth will travel to the bloodstream to the heart and lungs. There is also a link between poor dental health and diabetes. Dental health is also very important in pregnant women. Medical researches show that pregnant women who have poor dental health are at a higher risk of giving birth to preterm or low birth weight babies than those who have good dental health. These infants are very susceptible to early death, developmental disorders, asthma, ear infections, and behavioural disorders. To maintain good dental health, you should take note and follow these steps. Brush and floss your teeth every after meal. Use an astringent to kill bad-breath causing germs. Visit your dentist regularly for oral prophylaxis and dental treatment. Dentists promote good dental health by teaching children how to brush and take care of their teeth. Always eat a healthy diet. Calcium from milk and milk products and vitamins from fruits and vegetables are your body’s natural defenses against tooth and gum diseases. Do not smoke. If you are pregnant, eat healthy foods and visit your dentist to keep your dental health in good condition. Teach your children the importance of good dental health and guide them when brushing their teeth. Introduce them to the dentist at a young age. 

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