Dental hygiene and noncommunicable diseases – Current trends and future perspective

Abstract

Dental hygiene is an integral and also a major part of a person's general health, thereby better prevention of oral disease would save millions of rupees for the health-care systems. Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) and their rising global burden are the primary reason for disability among people worldwide. Oral health is one of the reflections on the overall health and well-being of a person, and several oral diseases are even associated with chronic diseases like diabetes and periodontal diseases. Oral health is a heterogeneous entity composing the ability to chew, swallow, smile, smell, speak, taste and touch to convey a wide spectrum of emotions via expressions of face with confidence and without craniofacial complex discomfort, pain, and disease. Oral health remains a neglected and an under-recognized global health issue, where oral diseases affect around 3.9 billion people globally. Exacerbation of certain NCDs predisposes to oral dysbiosis and poor dental hygiene that may further lead to increased edentulism and periodontal diseases. The organizations and policymakers must shift the programs, policies, and public perceptions and viewpoints in support of sustaining adequate hygiene for overall health and well-being.