Oral hygiene and overall health Department of Periodontology and oral Implantology The document discusses the importance of oral hygiene for preventing dental diseases and maintaining overall health. It notes that over 3.5 billion people suffer from oral diseases according to the WHO, but many can be prevented through proper oral hygiene. Maintaining oral hygiene includes brushing teeth twice daily, flossing, cleaning the tongue, and visiting the dentist regularly. Poor oral hygiene can lead to dental caries, gum disease, and systemic issues like diabetes and heart disease.

1. Oral hygiene and overall health
Department of Periodontology and oral Implantology

2. ◦ The Global Burden of Disease Study of 2017 conducted by the World Health Organization (WHO)
found that around 3.5 billion people across the globe suffer from oral diseases. However, you will be
amazed to know that most oral health conditions including tooth decay, gum diseases can be
prevented by simply maintaining oral hygiene.
◦ Every year, 1st August is observed as Oral Hygiene Day in India to commemorate the birth
anniversary of Dr G B Shankwalkar, the founder of the Indian Society of Periodontology. The day aims
at spreading awareness about the importance of maintaining oral hygiene and the ways to prevent
several dental as well as systemic diseases.
INTRODUCTION

3. How common are oral diseases?
◦ According to the World Health Organization (WHO), over 95% of adults in India have dental
caries, and over 50% of adults have periodontal disease. Additionally, there is a lack of
awareness among the general population on the importance of oral health, the need for regular
dental checkups, and what impact it has on the overall health of an individual Dental caries is
the most common chronic disease.
◦ It is 4-5 times more common than asthma.
◦ 50,000 oral cancers are diagnosed annually.
◦ Oral cancer causes 10,000 deaths a year.
◦ Diagnosis is often late; early detection is key

4. DEFINITION
◦ ORAL HYGIENE
The state or practice of keeping the mouth cavity in a healthy condition, as by a regular program of brushing
and flossing the teeth combined with periodic examinations by a dentist.
Oral health includes everything related to your mouth:
• Jaws
• Chewing muscles
• Roof of your mouth
• Linings of the mouth and throat
• Tongue
• Lips
• Salivary glands
• Mouth and face pain
• Oral or throat cancer
Dental health refers to teeth and gums.

6. Why is maintaining oral hygiene important?
◦ The human body consists of several complex systems
which are interconnected.
◦ For instance, the respiratory system (breathing system)
and the circulatory system (blood-carrying system) work
together for the absorption of oxygen and the release of
carbon dioxide from the body.
◦ Any disorder in the circulatory system would affect the
exchange of gases in the lungs.
◦ Similarly, poor oral health can also result in several
systemic complications including heart disease and
diabetes.

7. ◦ The dental diseases associated with poor oral hygiene include:
◦ Tooth decay: Also called dental caries or cavities, tooth decay
one of the most common dental diseases characterized by
degradation of the outer layer of the tooth (enamel), sensitivity
to hot and cold food and beverages, and severe pain. Dental
caries can occur due to the lack of removal of plaque (a sticky
layer of bacteria on the surface of teeth) and debris. Caries can
also occur due to reduced flow of saliva, which otherwise
washes away the stuck food particles and neutralizes the acids
produced by bacteria in the mouth.
◦ Gingival infection: Gum infection, medically called
is characterized by pain, itching, swelling, and bleeding from
the gums. Due to a lack of proper brushing and flossing, the
plaque present on the surface of the teeth calcifies, forming
hard tartar called calculus. Both plaque and calculus destroy
the gum tissues and the underlying bone.

8. ◦ Poor oral hygiene is associated with systemic diseases which
include:
◦ Diabetes: Studies have shown that periodontitis can worsen
diabetes as it impairs the body’s ability to utilize insulin, resulting in
increased blood sugar levels.
◦ Heart disease: Oral cavity harbours millions of bacteria but their
count reduces significantly after performing a daily oral hygiene
routine. However, poor oral hygiene provides a favourable
environment for the growth of some harmful bacteria such as
Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pyogenes, which can
enter the bloodstream and result in infective endocarditis. Infective
endocarditis is a potentially fatal infection of the inner lining of the
heart muscle or valves (endocardium).
◦ Pregnancy complications: Periodontitis is one of the most
problems during pregnancy, which, if not managed, can increase
the risk of preterm birth and low birth weight.

9. ◦ How to maintain oral hygiene
◦ Some measures that should be followed regularly to ensure a clean and healthy oral cavity include:
◦ 1. Regular oral hygiene practice
◦ Brushing: One should brush their teeth twice daily, once in the morning after waking up and once before
sleeping at night, with a soft or ultra-soft bristled toothbrush. Manual or electric toothbrushes can be
used to remove the layer of plaque from the teeth. Interproximal brushes can help clean the spaces
between the teeth, which cannot be cleaned using a regular toothbrush.
◦ Flossing: Floss is a thread coated with wax used to remove plaque and debris stuck between the teeth,
dental fillings, and braces. Flossing regularly can reduce gingival bleeding and reduce the risk of
developing cavities.
◦ Tongue cleaning: Cleaning the tongue is an essential aspect of a completely clean mouth as it prevents
bad odour. Tongue cleaning can be done using metal/ plastic scrapers or the non-bristle end of the
toothbrush.
◦ Mouthwash: Mouthwashes act as an adjunct to other oral hygiene measures. While cosmetic
mouthwashes are used to mask bad breath, therapeutic mouthwashes containing chlorhexidine
digluconate help in preventing and treating periodontitis. Mouthwashes should be diluted with water
before use. Mouthwashes can be used consecutively for 21 days followed by discontinuation for at least 2
weeks to prevent staining of teeth.

10. ◦ . Frequent dental check-ups: It is essential to visit a dentist once every 6 months to ensure a healthy
oral cavity. One must visit the dentist if they experience pain, bleeding gums, swelling, non-healing
ulcers or any change in colour or texture of the soft tissues inside the mouth (including cheeks, lips
and tongue). These signs can be an indication of a serious or potentially serious condition.
◦ 3. Consuming a nutritious diet: One should avoid the consumption of sugary and refined foods
such as baked food items and carbonated beverages as they promote the production of acid, which
can break down the enamel. People should consume a diet rich in fibre, found in leafy vegetables,
whole fruits and whole grains by stimulating the production of saliva in the mouth.
◦ 4. Quitting unhealthy habits: One should completely quit using all forms of tobacco (smoked and
smokeless) along with chewing areca nuts. Smoking cigarettes can reduce the amount of saliva
secreted and increase the risk of developing lung cancer while chewing tobacco and areca nuts can
cause oral cancer. People should limit their alcohol consumption to not more than 2 drinks a day to
ensure proper flow of saliva in the mouth.

12. Conclusion
◦ Practicing good dental hygiene is crucial to prevent oral diseases and dental problems. Visiting the
dentist every six months for a prophylactic cleaning and oral examination is advisable.
◦ Prioritizing Dental Health: Dental health and care must be considered a priority and taken very
seriously by everyone. All the recommendations and suggestions by dentists must be rigorously
followed, and regular follow-up visits must be made to ensure proactive actions on dental care and
hygiene.
◦ The Takeaway: To upgrade the level of dental hygiene and care in India, everybody should ensure
regular dentist visits and follow all guidelines to take proactive measures required for efficient oral
care. Using smart toothbrushes and water flossing on a regular basis can be an effective way to have
healthy teeth and prevent tooth decay. Following up with dentists regularly to ensure the timely
identification and cure of oral problems is a must-do for everyone because proactive measures are
always better than suffering later or facing complexities in oral health.

13. Website Resources
◦ https://www.apollo247.com/blog/article/oral-hygiene-day-2022-importance-oral-hygiene-and-
how-maintain-ithttp://www.mouthhealthy.org/en
◦ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7254460/

14. THANK YOU KEEP & SMILING!