Alexandru West 
Oral care is a practice that helps to keep your mouth healthy. This practice includes regular brushing, flossing, and other techniques that help to remove plaque and other debris from your teeth. Maintaining proper oral hygiene is also necessary to prevent disease and bad breath.
Periodontal disease is the leading cause of tooth loss in the developed world
Periodontal disease is a bacterial infection that affects the soft tissues and bone of the teeth. It can lead to tooth loss and oral pain. Symptoms include red, swollen, and bleeding gums.
Although a number of factors increase the risk of periodontal diseases, the leading causes are poor oral hygiene and tobacco use. Fortunately, there are ways to prevent and control periodontal disease.
For example, a dentist can check the amount of plaque on the teeth and examine the gums. They can also administer antibiotics to help stop the infection and reduce the risk of re-infection.
Other research suggests that periodontal disease may be a risk factor for other health conditions, including heart disease and stroke. Researchers are investigating whether inflammation in the mouth contributes to systemic disease.
Proper brushing and flossing reduce plaque buildup
One of the most effective and easy ways to improve your oral health is by proper brushing and flossing. Not only do these simple steps help keep your teeth clean, but they also protect them from cavities and gum disease.
Brushing can help remove plaque, which is a yellow, sticky film that forms on teeth and gums. This film is made up of bacteria that eat away at the enamel on your teeth.
Flossing works in tandem with brushing to remove plaque from between your teeth. It can prevent tartar from building up and lessen your chances of gingivitis and cavities.
Ideally, you should brush your teeth twice a day. You can also use a water flosser to help eliminate plaque between your teeth. For the best results, however, brushing and flossing should be done before and after meals.
Preventing oral infections
Oral infections are often a symptom of other more serious diseases, so if you have oral symptoms, you should see your doctor. Your dentist can also help prevent oral infections. In addition, there are natural antimicrobial compounds that may be effective for treating oral infections.
A number of viruses, bacteria, and fungi can cause oral infections. The most common types of oral infections are dental caries and periodontal diseases. Other oral health problems include oro-dental trauma, malnutrition, and radiotherapy.
According to the Global Burden of Disease Study, over two billion people worldwide suffer from oral infections. Although most oral conditions are largely treatable in early stages, complications can occur, such as tooth loss and malnutrition.
These infections are not only painful and damaging to your oral tissues, but they can also spread to other parts of your body. Infections can occur in the mouth, gums, tongue, larynx, or salivary glands.
Effects of stress on oral health
When you experience stress, you can become vulnerable to developing various oral health problems. For example, mouth sores can be very painful and make it difficult to chew. Besides, they can have a negative impact on your general well-being.
Stress affects your immune system and makes it harder for bacteria in your mouth to fight off infections. It also increases the risk of dental erosion and cavities.
In addition, chronic stress can increase the likelihood of developing periodontal disease. Periodontal disease is a type of gum disease. The bone and gums begin to erode and the condition becomes more serious.
Although it has been established that stress is associated with periodontal disease, the exact mechanisms linking the two diseases are not yet fully understood. However, it is possible that the increased allostatic load caused by stress contributes to the disease.
Training and education related to oral care of hospitalized patients
The current study is designed to investigate the status and attitudes of Saudi Arabian nurses towards oral care delivery for hospitalized patients. A self-administered questionnaire was distributed to 300 nurses at five hospitals in Riyadh. Using a bivariate and multivariable logistic regression, we predicted the knowledge and attitude of the nurse in regard to oral health assessment.
We found that almost half of the respondents reported that they do not have enough training in mouth care. However, the majority of them expressed a desire to increase their skills in this field. This is important because most of the surveyed nurses consider that providing oral hygiene is a crucial element of patient care.
The positive attitude towards oral care was higher among nurses who are educated and have experience than those who are less educated. The study showed that having more clinical experience is also associated with having a more positive attitude toward oral care.
