Running head: NIGHTMARES OF BAD ORAL HYGIENE

Nightmares of Bad Oral Hygiene Raven N Jones Rowan Cabarrus Community College

NIGHTMARES OF BAD ORAL HYGIENE Taking care of the mouth is the most important thing someone can do for themselves. It

can be good for a persons appearance, well-being and overall health. People perform numerous duties to maintain a healthy mouth such as brushing their teeth, flossing, and maintaining a healthy diet. Another good discipline would be to visit a dentist almost every six months to have their mouth examined for any oral issues and a good cleaning. The mouth is one of the most delicate places on the body and needs to be taken good care of; however, sometimes people get careless and dont clean their mouth like they should. Practicing good dental hygiene will result in better health. It is important for people to brush their teeth at least twice a day and to floss once. If brushing and flossing of the teeth is neglected, it can be very easy for the mouth to form unwanted infections. One of those unwanted infections could turn out to be a cavity. A cavity will decay the tooth and leave a hole that can worsen over time. Plaque is to blame for this unwanted contamination. It is a sticky, slimy made up of a series of bacteria that cling to the teeth and the acids from the plaque start eating away the outermost layer of the tooth (Inga 2011). A person must have these holes filled in or the acids would continue to eat away the tooth until there was nothing left (Inga 2011). The teeth are very essential to a persons mouth and need to be taken care of; however, the gums of the mouth are even more significant and should not be neglected when brushing. Just like a persons teeth, gums can come in contact with various contaminations as well. Gingivitis is considered a warning infection, for there are worse things to come if it is left untreated. The condition is brought upon by the hysterical development of plaque. The formation of plaque is most commonly caused by foreign substances, such as food particles, that have been forced into the gingival tissues (Summers 2009). The gums collect these food

NIGHTMARES OF BAD ORAL HYGIENE particles and gets irritated which later leads to the formation of plaque. There is most likely the

presence of plaque if there are signs of inflammation, redness, swelling, or bleeding of the gums. Like a cavity, plaque is also the root of the creation of gingivitis and could lead to the unwanted consequences of swollen gums, discolored teeth, or bad breath (Summers 2009). Summers stated that between 0.3 and 0.5 percent of new patients to emergency divisions are for dental problems (Summers 2009). The statement suggest attendances are becoming desperate for oral attention and should be better educated on how to take care of their oral needs. Although gingivitis is a warning sign for people, it is important to take action and treat the infection before it worsens. When gingivitis is ignored and left untreated it can lead to an unhealthier infection called periodontitis. This disease starts to spread from the gums and spread infection and inflammation into the ligaments and bone that support the teeth (Fotek 2012). In the process of the formation of periodontitis, plaque will build up at the base of the teeth while the inflammation causes a pocket to form between the gums and teeth, which fills with plaque and tartar. The plaque becomes trapped in the pocket and will damage the tissues and bone of the mouth (Fotek 2012). This infection gives the teeth an opportunity to fall out. The mouth is a sacred place and when it is not taken care of consequences will begin to happen. When the mouth does not receive proper oral care, unwanted infections will form and one bad infection can lead to something worse when not properly taken care of. It is important for people to be informed on how to properly clean their teeth and educated on what would happen when the mouth is left untreated. Cavities the first sign of not taking care of the mouth properly, then if a person is really neglecting their mouth it can worsen into gum infection starting at with

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gingivitis, an early sign that the mouth is being neglected, and then can turn into periodontitis, an even worse sign that the person needs to change their oral hygiene habits. Practicing good oral hygiene is the best thing a person can do for themselves. Not only does good hygiene promote good health, but it also encourages a good appearance. A person should brush their teeth after every meal or at least twice a day. The most important time to brush is at night. Flossing is essential once a day to remove plaque buildup and any food thats stuck between the teeth. It is important to see a dentist twice a year for regular checkups. Following this advice could help save someones overall health.

NIGHTMARES OF BAD ORAL HYGIENE Elliot, S. What Happens When You Dont Brush Your Teeth?. Oral Care. Retrieved from http://health.howstuffworks.com/wellness/oral-care/products/when-you-dont-brush teeth.htm. Fotek, P. (2012). Periodontitis. Medline Plus. Retrieved from http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001059.htm.

Health Canada. (2004). The Effects of Oral Health on Overall Health. Healthy Living. Retrieved from http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/hl-vs/iyh-vsv/life-vie/dent-eng.php. Inga, C. J. (2011). Whats a Cavity?. Kids Health. Retrieved from http://kidshealth.org/kid/talk/qa/cavity.html. Summers, A. (2009). Gingivitis: diagnosis and treatment. Emergency Nurse, 17(1), 18-20.