Having good oral hygiene is very important; it's one of the most important things you can do for your mouth, it's also important for your overall well-being. Brushing your teeth twice a day, flossing once a day, and using products that contain fluoride, such as toothpaste, are all great ways to maintain a healthy mouth. In underdeveloped countries these things can be difficult to find. An unhealthy mouth may contain: bad breath, yellowed or brown teeth, missing teeth, gingivitis, noma, tooth decay, HIV, or oral cancer. Symptoms of gum disease include: bad breath, red or swollen gums, sore or bleeding gums, loose teeth, and painful chewing. Scientists have found that people with gum disease are more likely to develop heart disease or have diabetes. Other studies have shown that women with gum disease are more likely to give birth to premature babies than those with healthy gums. Gingivitis is usually caused by not brushing and flossing regularly. Plaque builds up on the teeth and when it is not removed it can harden and form tartar. When gingivitis is left untreated, it can turn into periodontitis and then the gums pull away from the teeth and form pockets that become infected. Then the teeth begin to break. If left untreated, teeth are usually extracted. Noma causes tissue deterioration. The gums and cheek lining become inflamed and develop ulcers that develop foul-smelling drainage, which causes bad breath and smelly skin. The infection spreads through the skin, and the tissues of the lips and cheeks deteriorate. Eventually the destruction of the bones causes deformities and tooth loss. If left untreated, the disease can become fatal. In Africa and Asia more than a thousand children under the age of six are contracting... half of the paper... health is nonsense, because other problems outweigh the need for oral health or not having water to rinse mouth, some people even choose not to rinse their mouth so that the fluoride stays in the mouth and continues to clean. Several studies have shown that when fluoride is added to people's drinking water, tooth decay decreases. Fluoride is very useful for preventing tooth decay and strengthening teeth. I would like to take fluoride drops to add to the water in the countries I go to, I think it would be very effective in poor oral hygiene and preventing problems. To achieve my goals, I will obtain a degree to become a dental hygienist and join a team of other hygienists and dentists to create a non-profit organization. I will also have to get funding from people who care about the cause. I hope to achieve my goals when I am 25.