A healthy
mouth, free of infections, injuries and other problems with teeth and gums, is
important in maintaining your overall health. Although a different set of
medical professionals focuses on dental health, they are still part of your
regular health care team.
Disease and other
conditions can affect your dental health and dental problems can affect other
parts of your body. Failing to properly care for your oral health may lead to
other health problems. You can help prevent or minimize many oral health
problems by regular preventive steps (brushing, flossing and so on) and regular
visits to dental health professionals.
Injuries to mouth
Injuries
to the mouth and teeth can cause problems, especially for young people playing
sports. Make sure young (and not so young) athletes use a properly fitted mouth
guard, especially when playing contact sports or engaging is activities where
falls and blows to the mouth are possible.
Dental
health begins shortly after birth and continues the rest of your life. Constant
and consistent oral health habits come from habits and patterns established as
children under the direction of a parent.
Good oral
health practices and regular visits to dental health professionals will help
you enjoy the benefits of a bright smile and a pain-free mouth. If you begin
good oral health practices at an early age and stick with them through
adulthood, the odds are good that you will have a healthy mouth, pleasant
breath, strong teeth and a bright smile.
Even if you have let
dental problems develop over time, it is never too late to see a dental health
professional for corrective procedures. Thanks to modern practices, much of the
pain some people fear is gone from dental health procedures.
