Poor oral health can affect a person's quality of life. Oral pain, missing teeth or oral infections can influence the way a person speaks, eats and socialises. These oral health problems can reduce quality of life by affecting physical, mental and social well-being.

Oral disease, like any other disease, needs to be treated. A chronic infection, including one in the mouth, is a serious problem that should not be ignored. Yet bleeding gums, obvious cavities and swellings in the mouth are often ignored. As part of a healthy lifestyle and to help reduce the risk of oral disease, follow these five steps to good oral health.

1. Visit your dentist regularly

Regular check-ups and professional cleanings are the best way to prevent problems or to stop them getting worse.

Your dentist will look for signs of oral disease which often go unnoticed and may lead to or be a sign of serious health problems in other parts of the body.

Don't forget your children; their teeth are important too.

2. Keep your mouth clean

Brush your teeth and tongue at least twice a day with a soft-bristle toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste to remove plaque and bacteria that cause cavities and periodontal disease (gum disease). Replace your toothbrush every three months or earlier if the bristles are worn.

Floss every day. If you don't floss, you are missing more than a third of your tooth surface. Brushing alone does not reach all parts of your teeth.

3. Follow a healthy diet

Healthy food is good for your general and oral health. The nutrients that come from healthy foods help you to fight cavities and gum disease.

Limit how much and how often you consume foods and beverages that contain sugar. Sugar is one of the main causes of dental problems.

Limit your consumption of foods and beverages that are high in acid. Diets high in acid can result in dental erosion.

4. Check your mouth regularly

Look for warning signs of periodontal disease (gum disease) such as red, shiny, puffy, sore or sensitive gums; bleeding when you brush or floss; or bad breath that won't go away. Gum disease is one of the main reasons that adults lose their teeth.

Look for warning signs of tooth decay. The possible warning signs include teeth that are sensitive to hot, cold, sweetness or pressure.

Look for warning signs of oral cancer. The three most common sites for oral cancer are the sides and bottom of your tongue and the floor of your mouth.

5. Avoid Smoking

Stained teeth, infected gums and bad breath are just some of the ways smoking can affect your oral health. Besides ruining your smile, smoking can cause oral cancer and a variety of other cancers, all of which can kill you.

Dr Tanya Perry is the president of the Jamaica Dental Association.