Your beautiful healthy smile and good oral health are so important to your overall health, disease prevention, longevity, and even healthier newborns that they have named an entire month for it! Welcome to October, National Dental Hygiene Month, established by the American Dental Hygienists’ Association (ADHA) in 2009.
Oral health is frequently overlooked or neglected, so these front-line experts are shining a light on the importance of personal dental hygiene and booking regular dental visits. Prevention through good habits is absolutely essential. Oral diseases range from cavities to oral cancers, with related pain, disability, and expenses. They also do not end with your mouth but can affect other parts of your body. Issues with your dental health are different because they often develop silently. Typically, once pain or noticeable issues are part of a dental problem, prevention is no longer an option, and damage may be irreversible, such as tooth loss.
Good dental hygiene includes daily brushing and flossing, which control bacteria (bacteria) – keeping them from levels that may lead to infections, such as tooth decay and gum disease. Inflammation (swelling and irritation), coupled with oral bacteria, are linked to periodontitis, a severe form of gum disease. Bacteria and inflammation are indicated in studies as potential players in some diseases. Your mouth is the entry to your respiratory tracts, so those bacteria can sometimes lead to development of disease throughout your body. Diabetes and HIV/AIDS, are among certain diseases that can lower your ability to fight infection, exacerbating oral health problems.
Many individuals do not know that the normal flow of saliva washes food away and helps keep in balance the acids produced by bacteria in the mouth, reducing their spread. During your next dental visit, ask about any medications you use that can inhibit your flow of saliva, such as decongestants, antihistamines, painkillers, water pills, and antidepressants.
Gum disease can be prevented with daily dental hygiene and regular check-ups and cleanings at your dental professional’s office. With neglect, gum disease can enable oral bacteria to enter the bloodstream, which then produces a protein causing the blood to thicken. This means clots are more likely to form. Your heart also does not get the oxygen and nutrients it needs – a recipe for increased risk of a heart attack. Gum disease, besides leading to the loss of natural teeth, can also lead to a potential stroke since it can cause inflammation of blood vessels, blocking blood supply to your brain.
Research has shown that those with healthy gums are 70 percent less likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease than those with long-standing gum disease, and that there is a reduced risk of some cancers. A women’s study on gum disease highlighted increased breast cancer, lung cancer, esophageal, gall bladder, and skin cancers. Surprisingly, research also shows that the
number of teeth an individual has is related to their longevity. For example, at age 70, those with 20 or more teeth have a much greater chance of living longer than those with fewer teeth.
It has been shown that premature births and the resultant lower birth weight can come from gum disease, which produces a chemical that induces labor.
To keep smiling with good dental health, a dental hygienist typically is your first contact for care and assessment at your dental care office. Through prevention and detection, these highly trained professionals are on the frontline of defense against oral diseases.
Nearby, Taft College Dental Hygiene Program is a key player in maintaining oral health in the community with a very affordable clinic open to the public. They are dedicated to training the next generation of dental hygienists who will continue to promote and improve oral health. The Program equips students with the latest knowledge and skills to provide top-notch patient care.
Students and staff participate in local health fairs, oral health education presentations, and community service projects. The Taft College clinic provides advanced dental hygiene services to the community, ensuring both student training and public access to quality care. Accredited by the American Dental Association Commission on Dental Accreditation, the program has also earned approval from the Dental Hygiene Board of California. Visit the dental hygiene clinic to learn more about our services. Call 661-763-7706 or visit: www.taftcollege.edu/dental-clinic.
