Correlation between oral health and quality of life
25th Jul 2022 Health Conditions
Quality of life can be described as the way and manner a person’s activities are conducted on a daily or regular basis
This includes the way and things they eat, their daily work routine, interactions, and even pleasure. The routine for most people’s quality of life begins with waking up in the morning, going about their business, and going to sleep at night. However, this routine can be disrupted by specific factors, and general health is one of them.
It is already established that general health impacts a person’s quality of life; thus, we need to always pay close attention to our general wellbeing. Unfortunately, though, when checking their general health, many overlook oral health because they do not understand how it impacts their general wellbeing. The truth is that oral health impacts general health in many ways and can also impact the quality of life we live, depending on how we care for it.
Well, this article will highlight the correlation between oral health and quality of life by outlining how oral health affects our general wellbeing. Firstly, you should understand that the teeth are an essential part of your oral system, and there is more to maintaining excellent oral health than just brushing them daily. Here are some other things you should know about oral health and its importance to your daily living;
How oral health impacts quality of life
Many experts dentists like Rockville Centre dentist Dr. Funk have stressed the need to maintain excellent oral health for a better quality of life, and some of the reasons are outlined below:
- Psychological impact: Most individuals with poor oral health possess low self-esteem. They are less confident around people and always prefer to be in secluded areas or distant from people. This is because they fear being criticized for their poor oral health. These people did not always possess poor oral health and boasted a better quality of life before they developed oral health issues.
- Poor performance: This impact translates to both workers and students. When individuals possess oral health problems, they tend to experience a drop in their performance owing to some of the challenges they face from oral health issues. These challenges include difficulty sleeping, loss of appetite, chewing dysfunctions, locked jaw, and more. These challenges affect students’ performance levels in school, resulting in poor grades because they will experience difficulty concentrating on or assimilating what is being taught.
- Poor social life: An excellent quality of life involves being comfortable around people and having friends. People find you attractive and want to socialize with you when you possess good oral health. Oral Health issues like bad breath and more make people distant their selves from you; thus, making you less attractive and very difficult to socialize with people.
The correlation between oral health and quality of life
Correlation in this context refers to the relationship between oral health and quality of life. The relationship between oral health and quality of life can e described as a cycle. This cycle starts with oral health and how it impacts general health and then translates to how general health impacts the quality of life.
An example that shows the correlation between oral health and quality of life is medical checkups. When a patient experiencing dental issues visits a clinic, the physicians use traditional methods to check the patient. Some of the information includes the patient’s general health and lifestyle. Hence, excellent oral health results in improved general health and a better quality of life.
Tips to improve oral health and quality of life
Some tips will ensure you maintain excellent oral health, thus, improving your quality of life. These tips include:
- Practicing excellent oral health habits: Some excellent oral health habits involve brushing twice daily using fluoride toothpaste, flossing regularly, visiting the dentist to track your oral health, avoiding using your mouth for harmful activities, and more. By making these habits a routine, you protect your oral health and enjoy an excellent quality of life.
- Check your nutrition: Sometimes, our food threatens oral health. One of them includes sugary foods as they are harmful to your dentition. You want to consume calcium-rich foods because they help promote more robust dentition.
Conclusion
From the information provided above, we can agree that oral health and quality of life are correlated as poor oral health translates to a reduced quality of life. In contrast, excellent quality of life translates to an improved quality of life or an excellent day.
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