Your dental health affects your entire body's health
On the occasion of Oral and Dental Health Week and November 22 World Dentistry Day, Prof. Dr. T. Burak Özçelik from Başkent University Adana Dr. Turgut Noyan Practice and Research Center, Department of Prosthetic Dentistry, made important statements.
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Prof. Dr. T. Burak Özçelik stated that poor oral health can lead to many systemic diseases, ranging from heart disease to diabetes.
On the occasion of Oral and Dental Health Week and November 22 World Dentistry Day, Prof. Dr. T. Burak Özçelik from the Department of Prosthetic Dentistry made important statements. Emphasizing that dental health is not just an aesthetic issue but a fundamental element of general health, Prof. Dr. Özçelik listed the steps that can be taken to raise awareness.
Stating that poor oral health can lead to many systemic diseases, from heart disease to diabetes, Prof. Dr. Özçelik said, “To raise public awareness, educational programs should be organized starting from childhood. Practices such as social media campaigns and free dental screenings in cooperation with municipalities can be implemented. If the habit of visiting a dentist is acquired, many problems can be prevented before they start through early diagnosis.”
THE CRITICAL LINK BETWEEN DENTAL HEALTH AND BODY HEALTH
Underlining that dental health is directly linked to the health of the entire body, Prof. Dr. Özçelik shared the following information:
“It has been scientifically proven that gum diseases trigger heart diseases. Oral health problems are more common in diabetic patients, and this makes it difficult to control blood sugar. During pregnancy, gum inflammation can increase the risk of premature birth. Regular dental check-ups and good oral hygiene can prevent these risks.”
MOST COMMON DENTAL PROBLEMS AND SOLUTIONS
Stating that tooth decay is at the forefront of the most common dental problems in Turkey, Prof. Dr. Özçelik noted that gum diseases and bad breath are also common, and drew attention to the importance of healthy habits by saying, “These problems can be prevented with simple measures such as brushing teeth at least twice a day, using dental floss, limiting sugary and acidic foods, and drinking plenty of water.”
PRACTICAL TIPS TO APPLY AT HOME
Touching on the importance of oral care at home, Prof. Dr. Özçelik recommended the following care routine to prevent bad breath and tooth decay:
“Brushing at least twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, using dental floss and tongue cleaning, avoiding sugary and acidic foods, drinking plenty of water and using mouthwashes, and regular dental check-ups.”
Prof. Dr. Özçelik emphasized that raising public awareness on this issue is an important step in protecting general health.