Good oral health is essential for a healthy lifestyle. But did you know that more than 40% of adults report having had a sore mouth in the past year, and more than 80% of people will have had at least one cavity before their 34th birthday? It's true! There are several common dental diseases that can affect our oral health, including tooth decay, gum disease, and oral cancer. In this article, we'll discuss what these diseases are, how to prevent them, and what treatments are available. Tooth decay is the most common dental problem that dentists see in patients.
It occurs when bacteria form a film, called plaque, on the surface of the teeth. Bacteria produce acids from sugars in foods which corrode and damage the enamel, or outer layer, of the tooth. The acids then begin to act on the softer layer of dentin under the enamel.
Dental care
begins with evaluating the extent of tooth decay and recommending a course of action.This may include fillings, crowns, or a root canal. The option chosen may be extraction followed by dental implants or dentures. You can help prevent tooth decay by brushing and flossing your teeth regularly (twice a day). Also, get regular checkups with your dentist to scrape plaque off your teeth. Gingivitis is the mild, early form of periodontal or gum disease.
It is a bacterial infection caused by plaque build-up. The most common symptoms are red, swollen, and easily bleeding gums. You may also experience bad breath and sensitive teeth that hurt when you chew. Skipping brushing and using poor brushing techniques can contribute to gum disease. So can crooked teeth that are difficult to brush properly.
Other risk factors include smoking, pregnancy, and diabetes. If left untreated, gingivitis can develop into a more serious form of gum disease called periodontitis. This occurs when gum pockets become infected which can cause damage to the bone and tissue that support the teeth.
Dental care
for periodontitis includes topical antibiotics to treat the infection or referral to a periodontist, a specialist in gum disease. Because the causes of bad breath are so varied, your dentist will conduct a thorough evaluation and prescribe the course of action that best suits your case. You may also have sensitive teeth because the enamel layer on your teeth is naturally thin.There are types of toothpaste and mouthwashes specifically designed for use with sensitive teeth. Your dentist may also recommend a fluoride treatment, a crown, a gum graft, or a root canal. The treatment chosen depends on the severity of your case. Gum shrinkage can also be genetic, meaning the condition is inherited.
Dental care
for receding gums includes a thorough cleaning of the teeth by a dental professional.They may also show you the proper brushing techniques. Serious cases may need to be treated with a gum graft or other type of surgery. The base or root of the tooth can become infected and swollen with bacteria. This most often occurs due to decay, cracks, or fractures in the tooth. Root infection can cause damage to the tissues and nerves of the tooth and eventually to the development of abscesses.
A chronic throbbing toothache (long-lasting and persistent) is a sure sign of a root infection. Both chewing and biting will be painful, and the part of the mouth where the infection is found will be very sensitive to hot and cold foods and beverages. In some cases, the area of the face surrounding the infection also becomes inflamed.
Dental care
for root infections includes root canal treatment which is actually very safe and causes minimal pain since dentists use anesthesia while performing root canals. Mouthwash only masks the odor caused by these problems. If you have chronic bad breath, visit your dentist to see what's behind it.Tooth decay is the second most common health problem in the United States; it is overcome only by the common cold. The best way to prevent tooth decay is to brush your teeth twice a day, floss every day, and get regular dental checkups. Bad breath, tooth decay and gum disease are common problems that can be avoided by brushing and flossing your teeth and doing regular dental exams. Chronic bad breath can be caused by a myriad of oral diseases; tooth decay is caused by interaction between plaque with sugar or starch; smoking increases your risk for gum disease; one person in the United States dies from oral cancer every hour; mouth sores can be thrush, cold sores or oral thrush; excessive acid in mouth can cause tooth erosion; gum shrinkage can be genetic; root infections require root canal treatment; mouthwash only masks odor caused by these problems.
Good dental care, including brushing twice daily with fluoride toothpaste and flossing once daily are essential for preventing dental diseases like tooth decay and gum disease as well as detecting them early on if they do occur. Regular visits to your dentist are also important for detecting oral cancer early on as well as treating any other issues that may arise.
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