Oral and Dental Hygiene | Dr. Yasmin Haroon in Rohingya Language

Oral cavity and its primary function

The oral cavity is the first part of the digestive passage. It contains the mouth (including lips), teeth, gums, hard and soft palate, the floor of the mouth just under the tongue) and buccal mucosa (cheeks)

Its primary function is to serve as the entrance of the alimentary canal and to initiate and begin with digestion by chewing (physical breakdown of food into smaller pieces), salivation and propulsion of the bolus (a ball of chewed food particles) down the esophagus.

Oral and dental hygiene is an everyday practice of keeping one's mouth, teeth and gums; and tongue clean; and free of diseases and bad breath. Neglect of or poor hygiene leads to chronic bad breath, tooth decay, tooth loss, sensitive teeth, bleeding from gums, gum disease (Gingivitis), ulcers on buccal mucosa, tongue and gums, oral infection, alimentary canal infection, respiratory infection and cardiac infection such as infective endocarditis. It is imperative that oral hygiene be carried out on a regular basis to enable prevention of oral, dental and other associated diseases and infections.

General guidelines:-

- regular brushing of the teeth and cleaning between the teeth. Brushing the teeth removes dental plaques and bacteria from their surfaces which are directly responsible for the erosion of surface enamel. Brushing twice a day: once in the morning before breakfast and once just before bedtime. Ideally, the teeth must be cleaned after every meal and snack. Flossing is important as it helps in removing building up of tiny food debris and plaque.

- gentle brushing of the gum, buccal mucosa, upper palate and just below the tongue.

- gentle scraping or brushing of the tongue. Do not go deep to avoid gagging.

- rinse with mouthwash solution. Available in the pharmacies. Natural mouthwash can readily be prepared at home: Saline (salt water) It is prepared by adding salt to boiling water and to be used after it cools down. and mint with or without salt added to boiling water and to be used after it cools down. The mouthwash solution should be used (kept in the mouth) for 30 seconds to 1.5 minutes. Mouthwash solution should not be swallowed.

- if toothpaste is unavailable, one can use powdered activated charcoal, a cleaning twig or Datun and Miswak.

- avoidance of tobacco and smoking

- avoid chewing beetal leaves (paan)

- decreased intake of sugar

- increased intake of herbs, vegetables and vegetables (Vitamin D, calcium and floride); and water (fluoridated) and milk (Vitamin D and calcium)

- exposure to sunlight: natural source of Vitamin D

- strict blood glucose control for diabetics.

- controlling one's hypertension.

- treating acid reflux and vomiting (due to gastritis)

- rinsing the mouth thoroughly after consuming citrus fruits and the citric acid erodes the teeth's enamel. Rinsing after drinking coffee and tea beverges to avoid staining surfaces of the teeth and formation of plaques from bacteria breaking down the sugar and lactose from the milk (if the drinks contain any).

- avoiding intake of cold food items and water after consuming hot food and drinks.

- avoiding dry mouth. One can chew on Cardamom, Mint leaves or simply chew sugar-free chewing gum. They also work as oral refreshing agents.

- inspection of the oral cavity and teeth. Visit to the dentist every 6 months for dental cleaning and scaling; and treating any dental caries (tooth decay)

Oral and dental health is an essential and important component of your overall health and well-being. Good oral and dental hygiene practice should be encouraged from an early age. Oral and dental care is a life-long commitment and its absolutely worth the effort.