The Importance of Maintaining Good Oral Health

Your oral health tells us a lot about the state of your overall health. 

Every time our Wailuku, HI, dentists Dr. Heather Hearon, Dr. Catherine Vargas and Dr. Jonathan Lau examine your mouth, they are able to learn quite a bit not just about your current oral health status but also your systemic health, as well. After all, your oral health and overall health are linked, and changes in or problems with your oral health could help us detect diseases and disorders early on.

What happens if you don’t maintain good oral health? 

If you aren’t brushing and flossing regularly and keeping your teeth clean, plaque will build up on the teeth and the gums. This also allows harmful oral bacteria to grow and thrive, causing severe damage to enamel and inflammation of the gums. If you don’t practice good at-home oral care then you will be more likely to deal with:

• Cavities
• Advanced gum disease
• Halitosis (bad breath)
• Loose teeth
• Tooth loss

Furthermore, certain oral health problems such as gum disease has also been linked to potentially serious health problems including:

• Diabetes
• Cardiovascular disease (e.g. heart attack)
• Stroke
• Low birth weight and premature births
• Respiratory infections (e.g. pneumonia)
• Cognitive decline and Alzheimer’s disease

How do I maintain good oral health? 

While the above information may be enlightening and also a little concerning, there are certainly steps you can take apart from visiting our Wailuku, HI, family dentists every six months to prevent gum disease and decay. A good oral health plan should include:

• Brushing twice a day
• Flossing daily
• Replacing your toothbrush about every three months
• Using an antimicrobial oral rinse and fluoride toothpaste
• Eating a healthy diet
• Quitting or avoiding smoking
• Reducing sugar consumption
• Limiting alcohol

While our offices will remain closed until the pandemic has passed, our dentists are still providing emergency dental care to patients in Wailuku, HI, who are dealing with toothache, a knocked-out tooth, or other serious problems that require immediate care. If you are dealing with an urgent matter call Wailuku Dental Group at (808) 244-8808.