According to the World Health Organization (WHO), oral health is defined as the state of the mouth, teeth, and orofacial structures that enables individuals to perform essential functions such as eating, breathing, and speaking and encompasses psychosocial dimensions such as self-confidence, well-being and the ability to socialise and work without pain, discomfort, and embarrassment.

Oral health varies over the life course from early life to old age, is integral to general health, and supports individuals in participating in society and achieving their potential.

From a young age, we are taught that maintaining healthy teeth is essential to good oral health. We are taught to brush and floss our teeth to keep them "pearly white”, but dental health is much more than just having clean teeth.

It affects the salivary glands, the tongue, the lips, the palate, the lining of the mouth and throat, the gums and their supporting tissues, chewing muscles, and other parts of the head. Oral Health is, in fact, an integral part of our overall health. Although we may not always give it the attention that it deserves, it is extremely important.

People sometimes feel guilty about not taking their oral health with the seriousness that it demands. When people start delaying their visits to dentists, they usually find out that oral health is cost-effective to maintain but costly to ignore.

Multiple factors contribute to people neglecting their oral health, with one primary reason being the absence of pain. Typically, individuals tend to seek medical attention when they experience pain; however, certain dental issues may not initially manifest significant discomfort.

Additionally, concerns such as the financial implications of oral health care and dental treatment, the less visible nature of teeth, anxiety associated with medical care, and past negative experiences with dentistry can also deter individuals from prioritising their oral well-being. These various factors collectively contribute to the tendency to overlook oral health.

A healthy and beautiful smile can boost a person’s confidence and positively impact their social interactions. At the same time, dental issues such as bad breath, tooth decay, and gum disease can lead to embarrassment, shame, and even social isolation.

For this reason, healthcare workers encourage the community to look after oral health in the same way they take care of their general health.

The first step is to make oral health part of your self-care. To prevent tooth decay and gum disease, consistent brushing and flossing is the best way to keep your teeth and gums healthy. However, recommendations for oral health go beyond just brushing your teeth, we have to learn to brush twice a day, to brush thoroughly and correctly.

We are also encouraged to use fluoride toothpaste for best results. Fluoride is what protects teeth from tooth decay. It prevents decay by strengthening the tooth’s hard outer surface, called enamel. And, remember to replace your toothbrush when the bristles become worn. How often do you replace your toothbrush? The recommendation is a change the toothbrush at least every 90 days or when the bristles start to splay.

Other recommendations for better oral health include avoiding sugary and acidic foods, staying hydrated, use of antibacterial mouthwash, flossing, visiting the dentist for routine check-ups, and professional cleaning. Eating a well-balanced diet is also important. Giving up smoking is also very important for the improvement of oral health.

Most people feel that brushing their teeth in the morning is enough for good oral health, although this is a good first step, omitting other recommendations especially regular dental check-ups ups can lead to more dental problems even for individuals who brush regularly.

It’s also interesting that recent research has indicated possible associations between chronic oral infections and diabetes, heart and lung disease, stroke, and low birth weight or premature births. In other words, oral health refers to the health of our mouth and, ultimately, supports and reflects the health of the entire body.

Good oral hygiene habits are essential for maintaining good dental health and overall well-being. Brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing at least once a day can help to prevent tooth decay and periodontal disease, which is an infection of the gums caused by bacteria build-up. By brushing and regular flossing, regular visits to the dentist, you can be able to keep that bright smile for years to come.

Dr Vincent Mutabazi is an applied epidemiologist.

X: @VkneeM