A healthy mouth is essential for a healthy body. In the recent past, researchers have found clinical evidence for connections between declining oral health and the underlying systemic conditions in the human body. Bacteria in your oral cavity may easily enter your bloodstream and reach your vital organs. This is the reason why dentists prescribe antibiotics as a preventive measure before performing any dental procedure involving the dislodging of oral bacteria. The following diseases are associated with oral health:

• Heart diseases
• Mouth Cancer
• Endocarditis
• Inflammation of the lining of the heart
• Bleeding Gums
• Fungal or bacterial infections in the mouth

A daily mouth care routine is important for maintaining good oral health. Here are a few good practices to follow:

• Brush your teeth twice daily with a soft toothbrush and toothpaste containing fluoride.
• Rinse your mouth after every meal and at night before going to bed. Use a mouthwash containing 0.9% sodium chloride or saline water (saltwater).
• Make a fresh saline solution by dissolving a teaspoon of salt in 250ml of water to rinse your mouth effectively.
• Remove any food particles stuck in your teeth or present on your tongue with a soft brush. This should be done after meals and once before going to bed at night.
• If you use dentures, clean them thoroughly after every meal. Remove your dentures every night and soak them in a denture solution containing sodium hypochlorite. Also, remember to rinse your dentures before using them the next morning.

It is recommended that you should visit a dentist regularly, for a check-up; instead of waiting for problems to develop. Usually, two check-ups a year are good practice for mouth care. If you experience any of the following symptoms, seek medical attention as soon as possible:

• Chronic bad breath
• Dry mouth
• Swollen or bleeding gums
• Swelling in the jaw or cheek area
• Pain in chewing or biting food
• Receding gums
• Ulcers, mouth sores, or tender areas in the mouth which don't heal for more than a week or two
• Toothache
• Tooth sensitivity to hot or cold beverages
• Cracked or broken tooth
• Loose teeth

Apart from the above-mentioned symptoms if you also have a high fever, or swelling in the face or neck, visit a doctor immediately. A persistent toothache or a swelling in the gums can cause bigger issues if ignored. Strive to keep your mouth as pain-free and healthy as possible with regular dental check-ups.

Any oral activity, like eating, drinking, breathing through your mouth, or kissing leads to the accumulation of bacteria, viruses, and fungi in your mouth. These bacteria, viruses, or fungi may or may not be harmful to your health.

• If you don't have good oral hygiene or if you indulge in a high-sugar diet, you are likely to accumulate acid-producing bacteria in your mouth. The acid erodes through your tooth enamel causing cavities.
• Another problematic bacteria dwell along your gum-line and feed on a plaque. Plaque is a sticky white substance that accumulates on your tooth enamel and hardens if not removed by brushing or flossing regularly. 
• The prolonged presence of bacteria and plaque on your gum-line may give rise to gingivitis.
• This is a condition that inflames your gums and causes them to pull away from your teeth.
• If you have gingivitis, you may experience pain in biting or chewing, bleeding in your gums, and even a collection of pus along your gum-line.
• The most advanced stage of this disease is known as periodontitis.

Some habits that cause mouth ailments and tooth decay are listed below:

• Family history, or genetics
• Hormonal changes
• Diet high in sugary foods and drinks
• Smoking
• Acid reflux / Heartburn
• Diabetes / HIV / AIDS
• Medications which make your mouth go dry

When you visit a dentist for a routine check-up, they will check your teeth, gums, tongue, cheeks, and throat to understand your oral health.

• Usually, dentists need to tap and scrape your teeth to check for symptoms. It is also a common practice to take dental x-rays of your mouth to assist with the diagnosis.
• If you are pregnant, let your dentist know beforehand. This is because x-rays are harmful to pregnant women.
• The dentist will measure the gap between your gums and teeth to check for gum diseases.
• If the dentist finds any abnormal lumps, growths, or lesions in your mouth, they may recommend a biopsy to determine the nature of the growth.

Cavities: Tooth decay is caused by acid-producing bacteria in your mouth.

• • Gum disease (Gingivitis) and Periodontitis: Gingivitis is the swelling and bleeding of gums. If untreated it can cause serious issues.
  • Sensitive teeth: Tooth sensitivity can be a temporary effect of tooth surgery such as root canal or cavity filling. It could also be indicative of tooth decay or gum diseases.
  • Dry Mouth: This could be the result of medication for other ailments, anxiety, or dehydration.
  • Oral Cancer: Oral cancer may affect the gums, teeth, lips, cheeks, palate, or floor of the mouth. A timely diagnosis may help improve the condition.
  • Mouth Ulcers: Mouth ulcers may reoccur from time to time. Consult your doctor for the right treatment.
  • Cold Sores: Also known as herpes of the mouth, can be caused due to the cold weather or if you have a viral or bacterial infection.
  • Thrush: Oral thrush is caused by the overgrowth of a yeast germ called candida.
  • Canker Sores: Small lesions that occur on the soft tissue in your mouth or at the base of your gums.
  • Leukoplakia: Thick, white, or greyish patches inside the mouth caused by smoking.
  • TMJ Temporomandibular joint syndrome: Pain in the jaw joint caused by tooth or jaw injury, teeth grinding.

Oral health is linked to the overall well-being of the human body. Bacteria or viruses that enter your oral cavity may eventually reach your bloodstream and cause further damage to your vital organs. According to experts, poor oral hygiene may lead to the accumulation of bacteria and inflammation which is closely associated with:

• Heart diseases such as endocarditis and infection of the heart valves.
• In pregnant women, oral bacteria may cause premature delivery or low birth weight for the baby.

• Relief cream for chapped lips
• Blistex Relief Cream
• Blistex MedPlus Lip Repair
• Patches and cream for cold sore
• Compeed Cold Sore Patches
• Zovirax Cold Sore Cream
• Dental gel for acute toothache
• Orajel Extra Strength
• Ulcer pain relief gel
• Bonjela Adult
• Dry mouth gel
• Biotene Dry Mouth Oral Balance Saliva Replacement Gel
• Fluoride toothpaste to prevent dental caries in adults
• Colgate Duraphat

1. What is mouth care?

   Taking care of oral hygiene with activities such as brushing teeth, flossing, and rinsing the mouth is known as mouth care.
   
   

2. What is the best oral care routine?

   The following are some basic oral care routine activities that everyone should follow:

• Brush your teeth twice daily
• Use a soft toothbrush
• Keep your toothbrush clean and replace it every month
• Floss everyday
• Visit your dentist for regular check-ups