Chilean mine disaster prompts experts to promote the importance of good oral hygiene

For the first 17 days of their enslavement, the 33 Chilean miners were unable to conduct basic dental care, which has resulted in some developing gum disease.This has prompted dental experts to promote the importance of good oral hygiene.

According to some oral experts, many factors contributed to the miners' poor dental health, which included nutrition, stress and cigarettes. Therefore, one of the first priorities that the men faced was to receive a full oral exam that removed plaque in their mouths, in hopes that it would restore the health of their gums and further prevent the progress of gum disease.

The experts also encouraged many people to take their own oral health precautions and look for the symptoms of gum disease. Sore, bleeding or swollen gums are all warning signs of this problem. Receding gums, also a sign of gum disease, may even cause teeth to become loose or fall out.

Approximately 12 percent of adults in the U.S. may suffer from gum disease, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Fortunately, there are low-cost, affordable ways in which individuals can seek dental care to improve their oral hygiene.

Chilean mine disaster prompts experts to promote the importance of good oral hygiene