Oral health is the health of oral body parts. Oral body parts constitute teeth, gums, tongue, cheeks. A very important gland of the body, the salivary glands are located on each cheek.
In people with normal oral health saliva is continuously secreted from salivary glands located on inner sides of cheeks. Saliva constitutes enzymes that mix with food and aid in the breakdown of complex foods into simpler foods.
How Oral Health Impacts Overall Health And Well Being?
It is possible to locate salivary glands in the mouth by placing the tongue around the center of the inner cheek surface. The spot from which liquid is continuously gushing out is the salivary gland opening. Disease-free oral parts contribute to oral health.
Jaw and teeth alignment
Apart from the absence of disease in oral parts, oral health is also affected by oral alignment. Improper alignment of jaws and teeth can lead to several problems, like a problem in the ear joint and distortion of face symmetry.
The ear joint can slowly wear away, and dysfunction issues can arise in inner ear parts. Dysfunctional issues of the inner ear have been linked to conditions like vertigo, tinnitus, and deafness.
The Health and longevity of bones and joints of the skull are largely dependent on the proper alignment of teeth and jaws.
Tooth and gum disease and overall health
Microbes infest tooth cavities and sick gums. Pain, inflammation, swelling and redness are symptoms of unhealthy gums.
Food chewed in the mouth with tooth and gum illness condition gets mixed with the microbes that through the food canal enter the stomach.
Cheek ulcers and overall health
Cheek ulcers can form on the inner cheek surface inside the mouth due to blood impurities, stomach ailments, and other body ailments.
Cheek ulcers can also be formed due to the attack of bacteria on inner cheek walls. These are extremely painful while they last and eating with cheek ulcer condition is a painful activity.
Salivary gland functionality and oral health
Saliva constitutes enzymes that mix with the food and begin the process of digestion by breaking down food.
Apart from aiding in digestion, saliva has other functions like maintenance of healthy oral environment.
Saliva continuously washes the mouth off bacteria, particles, and dead cells and helps in the movement of the tongue while eating and talking.
Tongue illness and overall health
A normal healthy tongue is well moistened at all times with saliva. A pink tongue is a sign of health. The white deposit can form on the tongue, which should be scraped off using a proper tongue cleaner.
Tongue cleaner should not hurt the tongue. Plastic tongue cleaners can be used to scrape off tongue deposits without injuring the tongue surface. Diseased tongue and tongue ligaments can be infested with microbes.
In painful tongue conditions, it is difficult to move around the food properly in the mouth and adequately mix food with saliva.
Taking care of oral health
Regular oral health care is necessary for keeping the mouth free of germs and diseases
Tooth care
The tooth should be brushed in the morning and at night before going to bed. It is best to use a soft toothbrush and certified toothpaste. Brushing should be done in round circular motions for two minutes.
Tooth tartar and hard deposits cannot be removed with a toothbrush. Use a toothbrush to clean teeth of loose debris and particles. Refrain from brushing very hard or very long. Tooth floss can be used to dislodge food particles that get stuck between teeth.
Gum care
Saltwater can be used to rinse the mouth after brushing. Gums also get cleaned when the mouth is rinsed with toothpaste foam after brushing.
Gums and teeth should not be exerted too much by chewing hard foods as that can destroy gum tissues and cause them to recede.
Tongue care
Tongue deposits can be scraped off gently with a plastic tongue cleaner. The tongue cleaner should be washed after every use.
Mouth care
Apart from brushing with toothbrushes and toothpaste twice a day, the mouth should be rinsed with water after every meal.
Rinsing mouth with water gets rid of particles and oral scum and prevents them from lodging between teeth.
How to eat during oral illness
If the oral illness is not too severe, it is best to eat soft foods during the days when the mouth is recovering. The diet can be fluid-based, and fluids can be consumed with a drinking straw.
Antibiotics and medicines to effect oral healing should be taken as prescribed. For serious oral illness, doctors advise on illness treatment and the mode of food intake should be followed.
