Most people are aware that eating right and exercising every day is a trusted way of maintaining their overall health. But one aspect of maintaining overall health that doesn’t commonly come under the purview of boxes ticked is dental and oral health. This is an essential part of your overall health and well-being — just try going to bed with a toothache! Maintaining healthy teeth and gums is a lifelong commitment, and if you haven’t paid it due attention, you can always start today. Neglect on your part can lead to dental cavities and gum disease, which, in turn, is linked to heart disease, cancer, and diabetes.

The sooner you begin taking care of your dental and oral health, the easier it will be for you to avoid chronic dental issues that prove to be a costly affair, both financially and emotionally. Here are certain facts about dental and oral health you should be apprised of.

What are the common dental and oral problems?
The most common dental and oral problems that affect people are toothache, stained teeth, cavities, chipped tooth, impacted tooth, cracked tooth, sensitivity, hyperdontia, crooked teeth, or a gap between teeth. While most of these problems can be avoided by regular brushing and flossing, the rest require more than just regular home remedies.

What causes dental and oral diseases?
The oral cavity tends to collect all sorts of viruses, bacteria, and fungi. However, not all of them are harmful; some of them belong right there, making up for the normal flora of your mouth. When these are present in small quantities, they are harmless. What upsets the balance is a diet high in sugar as it creates conditions in which acid-producing bacteria tend to flourish. This acid tends to dissolve tooth enamel and thereby causes dental cavities.

Another major dental and oral condition that can be easily avoided is plaque. It accumulates and hardens, and migrates right down to the length of the tooth. If it isn’t removed by regular brushing and flossing, it can cause inflammation of the gums and gives rise to a condition called gingivitis.

An advanced stage of gum disease that increases inflammation and causes the gums to begin pulling away from your teeth is called periodontitis. This condition causes pockets in which pus may eventually collect. Several factors give rise to gingivitis and periodontitis, and these include the following:

• Poor brushing habits
• Smoking
• Diabetes
• Frequent consumption of sugary foods and drinks
• Use of medications that reduce the saliva in the mouth
• Family history
• Certain infections such as HIV or AIDS
• Hormonal changes in women
• Frequent vomiting caused due to the acid

How are common dental and oral problems treated?
If you have been taking good care of your teeth, you won’t have to face the usual dental and oral problems that might arise otherwise. However, it is imperative to visit a dentist at least twice a year. In case you begin to show signs of gum disease, infections, or other problems, the following methods are used to treat these conditions.

• Teeth whitening
  One of the most common dental problems that people face is yellow teeth. You can opt for over-the-counter teeth whitening options like whitening toothpaste or whitening strips that can get the job done. Or, you can visit the dentist for in-office treatment that tends to last longer.
• Root canals
  If the tooth decays and it reaches all the way inside the tooth to the nerve, the dentist might suggest you opt for a root canal. In this procedure, the damaged nerve is removed and replaced with a filling made of a biocompatible material that is usually a combination of a rubber-like material called gutta-percha and adhesive cement.
• Antibiotics
  If you begin to show signs of gum infection or there’s a tooth abscess that is beginning to spread to the teeth or your jaw, the dentist would prescribe antibiotics to treat the infection. This antibiotic can be in the form of a mouth rinse, oral tablet, gel, or a capsule.
• Cleanings
  In the case of plaque, professional cleaning can get rid of it in case you missed it while brushing and flossing. This is quite effective in removing tartar. Once all the tartar is removed, the dentist will use a high-powered toothbrush to brush your teeth. This is usually followed by flossing and rinsing to clean out the debris.

Which surgeries are used to treat dental and oral problems?
In severe cases of periodontal disease, oral surgeries are the only way out. Even in the case of missing or broken teeth caused by accident, certain dental surgeries are performed. These include:

• Bone grafting
  When gum diseases cause damage to the bone that surrounds the root of your tooth, the dentist might recommend bone grafting surgery. In this process, the damaged bone is repaired with a graft, which is made of your bone, a synthetic bone, or a donated bone.
• Flap surgery
  For a flap surgery, the surgeon will make a small cut in the gum to lift up a section of the tissue. After this, they will remove the tartar and bacteria from underneath the gums. Then, the flap is stitched back into place around the teeth.
• Soft tissue grafts
  This method is used to treat receding gums. The dentist removes a small piece of tissue from the mouth or uses a donor tissue and attaches it to the areas of the gums that are missing.
• Tooth extraction
  Though permanent teeth are meant to last a lifetime, there are several reasons why tooth extraction becomes necessary. One of the most common reasons why a tooth is extracted is that it is too badly damaged due to some trauma or decay. Other situations that call for tooth extraction are orthodontia, infection, or if it will give rise to an infection that can compromise your immune system.
• Dental implants
  In case your tooth is extracted as it lost its battle with decay, periodontal disease, or injury, your dentist might recommend you to get dental implants. Gone are the days when people with missing teeth had to rely only on bridges and dentures. Dental implants have proven to be quite effective in these matters. You can think of dental implants as replacement tooth roots as they provide a strong foundation for fixed or removable replacement teeth. These implants are made to match your natural teeth.

What are the effective ways to maintain dental hygiene?
If you take care of your teeth, then you can definitely avoid major dental and oral problems. Here are some effective ways of maintaining dental hygiene:

• Brush properly and regularly
• Do not go to bed without brushing your teeth
• Do not neglect your tongue
• Use a fluoride toothpaste
• Floss regularly
• Do not hesitate to use a mouthwash
• Drink more water
• Limit sugary and acidic foods
• Eat crunchy fruits and vegetables
• Visit your dentist at least twice a year

How much do dental treatments cost?
If you do not have dental insurance, the cost of dental treatments will be relatively higher. Teeth cleaning costs approximately $127, while cavity filling will cost around $210 (dependent upon filling used). Traditional braces will cost somewhere around $4,937 and wisdom tooth removal costs approximately between $250 to $750. The cost of a root canal varies according to which tooth is being operated upon. If you decide to opt for a porcelain-fused-to-metal dental crown, it will cost you about $1,093.

Dental insurance: What’s covered and what’s not
Dental insurance works as a safety net as it ensures that you don’t end up spending a lot of money over your dental treatments. The most common types of dental insurance offered include Preferred Provider Organization (PPO), Dental Health Maintenance Organization (DHMO), and Discount or Referral Dental Plan. These plans cover the cost of preventive care, crowns, root canals, fillings, and oral surgery such as tooth extractions. They might also cover orthodontics, periodontics, and prosthodontics, such as dentures and bridges.

Most dental insurance policies do not cover any cosmetic procedure, such as tooth shaping, veneers, gum contouring, or teeth whitening. As these procedures aren’t considered medically necessary, it must be paid for entirely by you.