The World Health Organization defines oral health as an umbrella term relating to the condition of a person’s teeth, throat, tongue, lips, and jaws. For a person to be considered having good oral health, all those aspects should be in check. However, people experience certain conditions such as crooked teeth and tooth loss that undermine their oral health.
Dealing with crooked teeth
Crooked teeth may affect a person’s feeding habit depending on the extent of the issue. That is especially true of crooked molars and premolars. There are several clinics in Bakersfield, California where patients may get braces. At the clinic, an orthodontist may take your jaw measurements to aid him or her in designing custom braces for your teeth.
General oral health
In general, oral health covers various elements including the teeth, gums, and tongue. The best way of achieving good oral health is by maintaining proper oral hygiene levels. That means that you should brush your teeth regularly. Dentists recommend a minimum of three times a day. Also, learn to run your brush along your tongue to clear out the adhered food particles. That assists in reducing the chances of bad breath.
Dealing with missing teeth
Missing teeth may also affect both a person’s feeding habit and aesthetic. In terms of feeding, it becomes difficult to chew food when one has missing molars and premolars. Missing incisors may also make it impossible to bite into food. One may experience bleeding gums from trying to chew hard food. Luckily, cosmetic dentistry exists, which is tasked with replacing missing teeth in a bid to restore a person’s natural smile.
Oral health affects people’s quality of life. Its essence often goes unnoticed until they experience tooth loss or a toothache. They become unable to enjoy their favorite meal. It is then that they appreciate the importance of having healthy teeth.