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Dental Health - Preventive Path
General preventive measures against dental diseases
The red arrows () and red-printed factors are the facilitating points for diseases, whereas the blue arrows () and blue-printed factors are the mitigating points.
Do now
Watch for
Get help if
- Do now: Brush twice daily with fluoride toothpaste, floss once daily, limit sugary foods/drinks, avoid tobacco.
- Watch for: Toothache, bleeding gums, bad breath, sensitivity to hot/cold, loose teeth, mouth sores.
- Get help if: Facial swelling, fever with tooth pain, pus, trauma/fracture, spreading pain to ear/neck.
Oral health checklist (tap to expand)
Seek urgent care immediately if any of the following occur:
- Severe tooth pain with fever or facial swelling
- Injury with loose/broken tooth, uncontrolled bleeding, or suspected jaw fracture
- Spreading pain to ear/neck, difficulty swallowing, or breathing problems
This information supports—not replaces—professional dental/medical advice. If you’re unsure or symptoms worsen, please seek care.
Causes
- Genetic
- Infections
- Injuries
- Other medical conditions in the body (e.g., diabetes mellitus)
- Smoking
- Poor oral hygiene
- Frequent intake of sugary foods and drinks
- Hormonal changes in women (e.g., during pregnancy)
- Reduced immunity ↓ ↑
-
Counter factors
- See Children Preventive Path
- Avoid smoking
- Reduce intake of sugary foods/drinks
- Brush twice daily with fluoride toothpaste and floss at least once daily
- Report dental problems promptly to authorized medical facilities with which you cooperate to manage such conditions
- Lead a health conscious lifestyle
- Comply with recommended immunization programs in authorized medical facilities in your locality
- Make “safety” your watchword as a way of life
- Adequately protect yourself when/if engaged in combat sports; consider use of mouthguards
← Risk Factors
- Smoking
- Alcohol consumption
- Poor nutrition
- Poor oral hygiene
- Aging
- Lack of physical activity
- Harmful traditional beliefs and practices
- Low socioeconomic status
- Poor immunization status
- Other medical conditions in the body
- Drug reactions
- Emotional and physical stress
- Direct/continuous exposure to harmful chemicals and radiation
- Pregnancy
← Lifestyle measures
- Regular (yearly) routine general medical/dental screening
- Report dental problems early to authorized medical facilities
- Avoid all forms of tobacco—chewing, smoking, and second-hand smoke
- Limit alcohol
- At least 30 minutes of exercise (like walking) per day
- Deliberate efforts at eating locally available nutritious and healthy foods low in sugar but high in fibre, fruits and vegetables
- Drink water liberally daily (at least 3 litres for adults and for children, see Children Preventive Path)
- Ensure adequate (at least six hours) refreshing sleep daily
- Avoid physical and emotional stress
- Adequately protect yourself when/if engaged in combat sports
- Discuss your traditional beliefs and practices regarding your health with your doctor in order to avoid harmful practices
↓
Human Disease Processes
↑
- Early hospital visit when ill or for any mouth problem
- Avoid self-medication
← Risk Factors
- Poorly nourished persons
- Self-medication
- Emotional Stress
← Lifestyle measures
- Healthy and nutritious diet lifestyle
- Avoid self-medication
- Report your emotional stress to your doctor, meanwhile visit lordsforerunner.org
↓
Disability
↑
- Early initiation of rehabilitation program
← Risk Factors
- Late reporting of illness or mouth problems to the hospital
- Self-medication
← Lifestyle measures
- Early hospital visit when ill
- Avoid self-medication
↓
Death
← Risk Factors
- Unhealthy lifestyle
← Lifestyle measures
- Healthy lifestyle