“Have you ever stood in front of a mirror to self-examine your teeth and mouth? You might have seen deposits of yellowish, black to spirogyra-like substances stuck between your teeth and gums. What of bleeding gums while brushing or with just a slight touch? You don’t need to be told that all is not well.”
According to Medical News Today, an online health site, halitosis, which is bad breath, can cause significant worry, embarrassment, and anxiety, but that it is relatively easy to remedy.
It noted that bad breath is a common problem that can cause significant psychological distress, adding that it is estimated that one in four people have bad breath on a regular basis.
“Halitosis is the third most common reason that people seek dental care, after tooth decay and gum disease. Simple home remedies and lifestyle changes, such as improved dental hygiene can often remove the issue. If bad breath persists, however, it is advisable to visit a doctor to check for underlying causes,” it advised.
Commenting on the signs to watch out for, the dental surgeon revealed that about 3.5 billion people are battling with varying holes in their teeth, noting that only a few visited health facilities in Gombe without major dental challenges.
“These are few ways that oral diseases present. From simple bleeding gums to the devastating cancers and swellings in the orofacial region. It has been estimated that oral diseases affect about 3.5 billion people globally with dental caries (holes in teeth) ranking as the most common health condition worldwide according to the Global Burden of Disease 2019.
“We don’t have exact figures of people accessing dental clinics in Gombe, but generally speaking, it is very poor. People come to dental clinics only when they have problems. And few come for professional washing of teeth (scaling and polishing) when they are about to get married,” Mohammed said.
The dental surgeon emphasised that prevention was better than cure, and urged patients to always consult their physicians within six months after the last visit.
He said, “No cause for alarm. Oral diseases are preventable with proper oral hygiene education and lifestyle modification. Visit your dentist at least every six months for a routine general check. Change your toothbrush every three months and learn the ideal brushing technique.
“Use a medium-textured toothbrush and make sure your toothpaste has fluoride. Prevention is always better than cure. Take good care of your mouth and live happily.”
Source: HealthWise
