According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), dental hygiene refers to the practice of keeping the mouth, teeth, and gums clean and healthy to prevent different types of diseases.

Dental hygiene and oral health care are essential parts of our everyday routines but are most often taken for granted. 

Bad breath can be caused by many things such as a sinus infection, a certain food or drink a person has consumed, or bad dental hygiene.  

Distinct types of diseases that can be caused by poor dental hygiene are tooth decay and periodontal disease. Tooth decay occurs in people of all ages and can cause pain, absence from everyday activities, difficulty on learning, and many things that can have a major effect on one’s everyday tasks.

Periodontal (gum) disease is an infection that can be caused by bacteria under the gum tissue that begins to destroy the underlying gum and bone. Research is being done to study why these things happen, and why many don’t know about the diseases until it’s too late.  

Good dental hygiene tips are as follows: 

• Avoid frequent between-meal snacking and eat more nutritious meals. 
• Use a toothpaste that contains fluoride.  
• Regularly floss teeth. 
• Brush teeth at least two times a day, but it’s recommended after every meal.  

School nurse Jessica Roe said poor dental hygiene influences more than just your teeth. 

“Poor dental hygiene doesn’t just affect your teeth,” Roe said. “It affects your gums, the bones, and even the people around you when you have bad breath.  

19tschiffelbein@usd489.com