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Healthy smile, healthy life Good oral health is essential for your overall health and wellbeing. Use this leaflet to learn and understand more about common oral diseases and how to keep your mouth healthy. Do your homework Healthy gums are pale, pink and firm, and don’t bleed when you brush. Healthy teeth are intact and show no signs of tooth decay. Keeping your gums and teeth healthy is easy – simply clean them properly every day and see your dental professional Caries, cavities, or tooth decay? They all refer to the same problem: Acid attacks on tooth minerals, eventually leading to a cavity.
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regularly. If bacteria build up on your teeth (plaque) and aren’t removed, it can lead to problems: • Tooth decay – caused by repeated acid attacks on the teeth. Bacteria use sugars in your food for energy and produce acids that cause damage to the enamel (the outer surface of the tooth). If these acid attacks occur too often, there will be permanent damage to the tooth. • Gum disease – bacteria can also irritate the gums, causing them to be inflamed and bleed easily. The first stage of gum disease is called gingivitis. Without treatment, gingivitis can spread and affect the supporting bone, developing into periodontitis and possibly leading to tooth loss. Keep your smile in shape Research shows that gum disease is linked to several other diseases, such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease. That means treating gum disease may also help with the management of other diseases. A healthy lifestyle includes physical activity, a well-balanced diet, good quality sleep and good oral hygiene. Looking after your mouth is part of looking after yourself.
