Oral and dental health is directly related to general health. Gum disease and infections inside the mouth can be linked to serious health problems such as heart disease, diabetes and birth complications. Therefore, the impact of oral health on overall health is of great importance.
Department of Oral and Dental Health stated that since scientific dentistry education started on November 22, 1908 in Turkey, every year since 1996, November 22 has been celebrated as “Turkish Dentists Day” and the week including today has been celebrated as “Community Oral and Dental Health Week”. Specialist from Dt. Elif Banu Özkan gave information on the subject.
IT PLAYS A ROLE IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF MANY DISEASES
Specialist points out that dental and gum diseases cause significant losses in the quality of life of all age groups. Dt. Elif Banu Özkan, “Tooth and gum diseases; “It plays a role in the development of many health problems such as diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, growth and developmental delay, and premature birth,” he said.
DIABETES MAY TRIGGER CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASES
Dental and gum diseases that cause significant losses in the quality of life of all age groups; Specialist stated that the number of evidence showing that it plays a role in the development of many health problems such as diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, growth and developmental delay, and premature birth is increasing day by day. Dt. Özkan said, “However, dental and gum diseases continue to be the most common health problem of the society; It is included in the group of preventable, controllable and treatable diseases. Oral and dental health problems should be prevented with preventive measures before they occur, and when diseases occur, they should be treated quickly. One of the simplest and most effective preventive methods is to ensure oral hygiene. Oral hygiene; It includes brushing teeth, brushing the tongue, and cleaning between the teeth with an interdental brush or dental floss. We should brush our teeth twice a day for at least 2 minutes. This brushing should be done with 5-6 strokes on the surface of each tooth. Choosing the right foods consumed is as important as maintaining oral hygiene for oral and dental health. It is especially necessary to stay away from foods containing carbohydrates and sugar, and acidic drinks. These types of foods increase bacterial growth and cause food retention on the tooth surface. Regular consumption of milk and cheese products reduces the risk of tooth decay by reducing the formation of bacteria in saliva. In addition to meeting the calcium needs of our body, these products also have a preventive effect on tooth decay. They provide remineralization, especially of incipient tooth decay. “By stimulating the flow of saliva, it facilitates the removal of food residues between the teeth,” he said.
“CAUTION NEEDS TO BE TAKEN IN PLANNED PREGNANCY”
Specialist underlines that oral and dental health is an important part of body health and therefore important at every period. Dt. Özkan said, “Especially in planned pregnancies, oral health should be checked and annoying situations that may occur during pregnancy and require intervention should be prevented. Failure to treat oral and dental problems before pregnancy increases the risk of premature birth or having a low birth weight baby. “Acid attacks that occur as a result of vomiting in the first months of pregnancy may trigger existing cavities in the expectant mother’s mouth and cause the formation of new ones,” he said.
(UAV)
