Oral health

If there is something that is majorly ignored in the start and given attention when it is too late is oral health. This topic is very rarely discussed among people, and until and unless we face a dental complication, we never really know the salient role it plays in our life.

If we compare our childhood and present, ironically, dental hygiene was the most discussed topic during the former time. The first instruction given every morning was to brush teeth. Even in the good manners book, it was written to brush teeth twice and drink milk regularly. Every child had the basic knowledge not to eat anything before brushing. Also, kids used to keep their fallen milk tooth safely thinking that they would meet a tooth fairy and three of their deepest wishes would be granted. Those were sweet days, weren't they?

Some studies and research that has been done on teeth and maintenance of oral hygiene has bought devastating results. 2% of people stay without brushing for more than twenty-four hours and 46% of people don't brush for an entire day! What is even more shocking is that they really don't bother if they have dental issues, eat all kinds of junk without any limit and refuse to go to the dentist too!!

Why this drastic change within the same people who used to take care of their teeth so well? There are two major reasons for this. One is laziness and second is the swag. People have become really lethargic; they just want to relax on their bed and remain in the same cozy position. Also, the preconceived notion that 'not-brushing-and-not-bathing-is-cool' makes people inconsiderate towards their teeth. They feel that telling friends about such things will make them savage. It is not that way. Instead you will be branded as the 'stinker' and the 'bad-breath guy'.

Our mind has this tendency to avoid problems i.e to push back all the unpleasant details to a corner. This is exactly what happens when we discuss about teeth. The first thing that comes to our mind if we talk about deformed and spoilt teeth is cavities, fillings and root canal. The first two emotions that ring in are fear and pain.

 Fear, as everyone has their suggestions, their ways of complicating simple procedure and their ways of exaggeration. Root canal is compared to excavating in mines and filling is compared to stuffing something bad in the teeth. Due to hearing such comparisons from a long time we feel that the pain is going to be exponential and we stop looking at the benefits after the treatment.

I am not saying that everyone is scared. There are a few who take care of their teeth really well. They know how important it is to not have bad breath. But unfortunately, the percentage of such people is very less. 

How do we reduce the persistent fear from the minds of people? Read something funny about teeth; poetries, stories or anything that makes you laugh and forget the pain. I would suggest all of you to read the poem 'I wish I'd taken care of my teeth' by Pam Ayres. You will chuckle as well as you will understand the seriousness of the issue.

There is no problem if someone is scared in general. The problem arises only when they procrastinate the treatment due to fear. Due to such actions, they themselves complicate the entire matter. What was just supposed to be a filling turns into a root canal and if delayed even more turns into teeth removal. 

Remember, it is not correct to blame someone else for our mistakes. We can't blame the dentist if the procedure pains- because it is happening due to our negligence and indifference towards our teeth.

Many people think that only treatment is the problem. But there are problems before that also. First, is to find a good doctor whose clinic is close to your place. Second, is to fix a proper time so that there are no after-treatment complications. We may consider these two reasons insignificant now, but they do really matter.

It is very common that after one person in the family gets treatment done, we get to know that even others too have the same issue. We end up spending double the money than our estimation. We may curse the dentists momentarily that they are purposely charging more, but the end result is always in our favour. We must never compromise to get certain things done as it can change your life for the better.

                                  

Now you may ask me, why am I giving so much importance to oral health? It is because good teeth gives a good smile and a good smile elevates your look altogether. Even while getting a picture clicked we are told to say 'cheese' so that our mouth opens into a wide natural smile. Smile is the most beautiful gift of God. A true smile can move mountains and melt even the harshest of people. We can get a beautiful smile and all this is possible only when we have clean and white teeth.

Not only for this reason, but also, good teeth makes you confident while speaking in a crowd and speaking to friends and family. Others can form a good first impression on you. Your talk will surely be remembered and people will be more willing to talk to you. But if you delay, you will have several obstacles such as yellow teeth, improper speech and many others too.

Prevention is always better than cure. Work towards having strong teeth because that is when you can relish all your food cravings without any issue. This is not something which will not happen overnight. We must take care of our teeth in the same way we take care of our appearance as good teeth gives a good look, but a good look can never give us good teeth right? 

Always remember, there is nothing wrong in discussing about our oral health problems. If we share our experience, it is going to help someone; they can mentally prepare themselves if they have to take treatment. We are not going to become a laughing stock among people that we had problems at an early age. Instead we will become an inspiration for those who have assumed apprehensions regarding the treatment.

If it can happen to you, it can happen to anyone. Never feel that you are immune towards such problems. Always be on the alert. Even if you feel a slight discomfort, immediately consult the dentist. Be true to your teeth otherwise, they will be 'FALSE' for  you.

Last but not the least,

Brush your teeth everyday

Keep dental problems away

Follow pratices without going astray

Surely people will listen to your say!!

(P.S Many of you might ask me why I had chosen such a simple topic after writing a spree of complex and high-end ones. The reason is, I felt that you can connect easily to a topic like this. Also, I really don't want people to give oral health the last preference and repent later. 

This is a personal insight so please don't take offense to any of the comments and observations mentioned. I hope you could connect to the points and understand the message I am trying to convey)

                                                                           - Anusha Sridhar