Neglecting dental hygiene causes a number of health problems, which start with bad breath and tooth decay, and end with fatal diseases, such as heart and liver cancer.
The neglect of the teeth increases in Ramadan, whether by not cleaning them for fear of causing the person to break the fast during the timing of his fast, or by what the fasting person eats when he breaks his fast of foods that harm his teeth.
Dental neglect diseases
Normally, the human mouth contains harmless bacteria, and while maintaining its cleanliness, these bacteria remain in a stable state, but if neglected, they turn into a harmful type, to begin attacking the components of the mouth in the beginning, especially the gums and teeth.
With the growth of the ferocity of these bacteria and their attack on the gums, they may leak into the bloodstream, to be transmitted from it to the rest of the body’s organs, and they also infect them with a number of diseases.
These diseases, according to the US National Center for Biotechnology Information, include:
- Cardiovascular disease.
- Bacterial pneumonia that can develop to threaten the patient’s life, especially if he is elderly.
- Increased risk of diabetes
- Diabetic osteitis
- Brain abscess
- Sinusitis
- skin ulcers
- Inflammatory bowel
- iritis
A study conducted at Queen’s University Belfast, Britain, adds that lack of dental and oral cleaning may cause liver cancer.
Teeth affected by fasting
The teeth and mouth are generally affected by fasting during the month of Ramadan, as abstaining from fluids for the duration of the fast, which reaches regarding 14 hours, causes a decrease in saliva secretion as a result of the body’s use of limited water in many of its other vital processes.
This leads to dry mouth and increases the chance of bacteria and viruses attacking the teeth and gums, according to Mediclinic, which can cause dental and gum diseases and may develop into other diseases.
In addition, changes in daily routines and sleep disturbances during the fasting period may also lead to insufficient attention to oral hygiene and this can be detrimental to dental health.
teeth in Ramadan
Oral and dental health can be maintained during Ramadan by following a number of tips marketed by the Mediclinic medical organization, as follows:
- Brush your teeth thoroughly between iftar and suhoor and following each meal with a brush or a toothpick.
- Use dental floss once a day, as it helps remove any leftover food between the teeth.
- It is preferable to start breakfast by eating some dates because they contain fluoride, which contributes to strengthening the teeth. However, it is not recommended to start breakfast with carbohydrates, as they are a source of bacterial growth and reproduction and have a negative effect on tooth enamel.
- Avoid sugary foods as much as possible, as they increase the rate of tooth decay, especially foods that stick to the teeth such as molasses or raisins.
It is important to drink plenty of water during the time of your iftar, to maintain hydration and health of the mouth and teeth, which protects you from bacteria attack due to dry mouth.
