Dental health problems have persisted for years, but as recently as 2022, an estimated 3.5 billion people worldwide struggle with some form of oral disease. Two billion adults have cavities in their permanent teeth, and 514 million children have decay in their baby teeth.
Add to this statistic the festive feasting of the holidays, and you have the risk of many dental conditions that pose a danger to your oral (and overall) health. Make this new year the time to improve your oral health by resolving to make simple yet effective changes to help you feel better about more than just your smile.
If you live in the San Jose, California, area and you’re ready to maintain better oral health in 2026, Dr. Roge Jacob and Dr. Magdalena Azzarelli of Hillsdale Dental Care are here to help.
Oral health means more than just good-looking teeth; it’s about how what happens in your mouth connects to the rest of your body. What you eat directly affects the health of your body and mind, including your teeth, gums, and jawbones.
When problems develop on teeth and get into the gums and the jaws, the infections that result inevitably spread further down, contributing to cardiovascular disease and an increased risk of problems like type 2 diabetes and Alzheimer’s disease as time goes on.
These possible complications stem from widespread oral diseases, the most common of which include:
Also called dental caries or tooth decay, this condition results from plaque and tartar buildup on tooth enamel, creating holes that infect the layers beneath. Plaque and tartar are a result of harmful bacterial buildup combined with the residues from foods and drinks that are sugary or acidic.
The infected teeth also reach the gums, starting with mild problems like gingivitis and eventually progressing to periodontal disease, which infects the bone beneath and can spread elsewhere. With this problem, you may also deal with halitosis (bad breath), bleeding and receding gums, and tooth loss.
This can happen because of cavities and gum disease, or if you grind your teeth, a condition known as bruxism. Related problems include tooth sensitivity and painful chewing.
To ring in the new year, try these basic steps for improving dental health:
This means thoroughly brushing, flossing, and rinsing your teeth every day (twice for brushing and at least once for flossing), and using mouthwash as needed.
Regardless of what kind of toothpaste you prefer, be certain it contains the mineral fluoride — also known as “nature’s cavity fighter” — to strengthen and protect your tooth enamel.
Limit the amount of tea, coffee, cola, and other acidic beverages you drink. Limit sugary foods and drinks, too: Sugar feeds the cavity-causing bacteria that live on your teeth, causing many of the dental issues we’ve covered.
Drinking plenty of water each day not only keeps your body well hydrated, but also helps keep your mouth clean and moist, removing some of the particles and sugar that collect there.
Even if you follow all of these essential steps to improve dental health, having regular, twice-yearly dental exams and cleanings is the most effective way to gauge both your current oral health, and to assess your risk of other conditions.
Ready to treat your teeth to better health this year? We’re here to help. Call or click online to schedule a visit with our team at Hillsdale Dental Care in San Jose, California, today.
