This article explores the various risk factors that can make one more vulnerable to oral ailments such as bacterial infection, gum disease and oral cancer.

Good oral health requires a lot of work; both from the individual (you) and from the dentist in Orange County (www.ocdds.com). Regular brushing, flossing, check-ups, professional cleanings and a balanced diet are just a few of the measures we can take against the array of terrible oral afflictions known to cause infection, decay and tooth loss. But there are certain factors that leave some people more susceptible than others. And because it can become so easy for us to become lulled into a false sense of invulnerability, it is of the utmost importance that you know what kind of a risk your oral health is at. Through regular check-ups and professional cleanings at the dentist in Orange County, you can ensure that these ailments are kept well at bay, or are identified early enough to minimize their impact upon your oral health and smile aesthetics. Here are some risk factors recognized by Orange County dentists for bacterial infection, gum disease and oral cancer:

Dentist in Orange County: Risk Factor # 1 ~ Tobacco-Use and Excessive Alcohol Consumption

Together, smoking and alcohol abuse account for 75% of all incidents of oral cancer. Not only do these deplorable addictions ruin your smile aesthetics, but they also severely compromise your body’s natural ability to heal, thus making you less likely to respond positively to treatment administered by the dentist in Orange County. Even smokers who look after their teeth and pay Orange County dentists regular visits are at a markedly increased risk of developing gum disease and oral cancer.

Dentist in Orange County: Risk Factor # 2 ~ A Poor Diet

A diet that is high in sugar, fats and acids directly contributes to tooth discoloration, the formation of cavities and decay. However, your gums and teeth rely heavily upon the nutrition they receive from the collection of tiny blood vessels that are housed inside the tooth pulp. According to the dentist in Orange County, just like your body, if your teeth and gums do not receive the vitamins and minerals they need to remain healthy, they will also become weaker and more vulnerable to bacterial infection. Orange County dentists warn that a poor lifelong diet also contributes to the development of serious and potentially fatal conditions, such as Diabetes, cancer and cardiovascular disease, which are to name but a few.

Dentist in Orange County: Risk Factor # 3 ~ Poor Oral Hygiene        

This risk factor may sound quite obvious, but according to the dentist in Orange County, you would be surprised at the number of people who don’t actually understand what ‘good oral hygiene’ entails! If you don’t brush at least twice a day for two minutes at a time; floss every day and rinse with an anti-bacterial mouthwash after meals during the day (when you don’t have a tooth brush on hand), then you are possibly putting yourself at a much higher risk of developing gum disease. Orange County dentists say that more than half their patients – which is probably a generous estimate anyway – don’t use floss at all; and flossing is integral to a good oral hygiene routine.

The Take Home Message from the Dentist in Orange County

Smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, drug abuse, a poor diet, a family history of oral ailments and poor oral hygiene… any of these factors in any combination put you at a far greater risk of bacterial infection, gum disease and oral cancer. Protect your well-being and your beautiful smile by making the necessary changes today… and you can start most effectively by seeing your dentist in Orange County (www.ocdds.com).