Oral health vital for overall well-being

Dr J Ravi Rakesh Dev, a dentist, has said that a majority of people in India are ignorant about oral health which is resulting in high incidence of dental problems.Speaking at a health education programme on ‘Dental Care’ organised by Vasavya Nursing Home on Saturday, he said, “Oral health is very important for everyone. People often neglect to brush their teeth twice a day.

Gum disease is a bacterial infection, which is affecting most of people. If it is not treated in time, it is capable of affecting other organs of the body through the blood stream. Most of youngsters are neglecting dental care and oral hygiene. The high incidence of mouth cancer in the country is largely due to smoking and chewing of gutka and other tobacco products as most of youngsters are addicted to it.”

Elaborating on the importance of oral health, he said, “Generally people visit a dentist when a dental problem occurs. Though oral care is highly important, many take it lightly. But it is most important because the mouth is where the digestive system begins.

A majority of people fail to understand the intimate connection between oral health and overall health. The mouth is the entry point, where one has to keep bacteria at bay. It is recommended for people to consult a dentist once in every six months to protect their oral health.”Dr G Samaram, Dr Maru and Dr Olas Gora were also present at the event.