Oral Health Facts

· The most common oral diseases are dental cavities and periodontal (gum) disease.

· 60-90% of school children worldwide have dental cavities.

· Severe periodontal (gum) disease, which may result in tooth loss, is found in 5-20% of middle-aged adults; the rate varies across geographical regions.

· Incidence of oral cancer ranges from one to 10 cases per 100 000 population in most countries.

· Birth defects such as cleft lip and palate occur in around one per 500-700 of all births; the birth prevalence rate varies substantially across ethnic groups and geographical areas.

· 40-50% of people who are HIV-positive have oral fungal, bacterial or viral infections, which often occur early in the course of HIV infection.

· Traditional curative dental care is a significant economic burden for may high-income countries, where 5-10% of public health expenditure relates to oral health.

Periodontal, or gum, disease is a chronic bacterial infection that affects the gums and bone supporting the teeth. Periodontal disease is a major cause of tooth loss in adults and has been connected to the development of heart disease and increased risk of stroke, and can contribute to complications from diabetes, respiratory disease or osteoporosis. “Millions of adults already suffer from periodontal disease”, says De Susan Karabin, DDS, President of the AAP.

Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Disorders

Disorders of the temporomandibular joint(s) can cause pain which usually occurs in or around the ears of lower jaw. The TMJ hinges the lower jaw or mandible to the skull and is responsible for the ability to chew or talk. TMJ disorders can be caused by different types of problems such as injury (such as a blow to the fact), arthritis, or jaw muscle fatigue from habitually clenching or grinding teeth. Habitual clenching or grinding of teeth, a condition called “bruxism” can cuase pain in the joints, jaw muscles, and the teeth involved. Bruxism is often due to life “stress”, family history of bruxism, and poor bite alignment. Sometimes, muscles around the TMJ used for chewing can go into spasm, causing head and neck pain and difficulty opening the mouth normally. These muscle spasms are aggravated by chewing or by stress, which cause the patients to clench their teeth and further tighten these muscles. Temporary TMJ pain can also result from recent dental work or by the trauma of extracting impacted wisdom teeth.

Treatment of temporo-mandibular joint paid usually involves oral anti-inflammatory over the counter (OTC) drugs like ibuprofen. Other measures include warn moist compresses to relax the joint areas, stress reduction, and/or eating soft foods that do not require much chewing. If bruxism is diagnosed by a dentist, a bite appliance, i.e. night guard, may be recommended that is worn during the night to protect the teeth. However, this bite appliance is used mainly to protect the teeth and may not help with joint pain. For more serious cases of joint pain, a referral to a TMJ specialist may be necessary to determine further treatment.

Gum Disease

The second most common cause of toothache is gum disease or periodontal disease. Gum disease refers to inflammation of the soft tissue, i.e. the gingival, and abnormal loss of bone that surrounds and holds the teeth in place. Gum disease is caused by toxins secreted by certain bacteria in “plaque” that accumulate over time along and under the gum line. This plaque is a mixture of food, saliva, and bacteria. An early symptom of gum disease is gum bleeding without pain. Pain is a symptom of more advanced gum disease as the loss of bone around the teeth leads to the formation of deep gum pockets. Bacteria in these pockets cause gum infection, swelling, pain, and further bone destruction. Advanced gum disease can cuse loss of otherwise healthy teeth. Gum disease is complicated by such factors as poor oral hygiene, family history of gum disease, smoking, and family history of diabetes.

Treatment of gum disease always involves oral hygiene and removal of bacterial plalque and tartar which is hardened plaque. Moderate to advanced gum disease usually requires a thorough cleaning of the teeth and teeth roots called “scaling and root planning” and “subgingival curettage”. Scaling and root planning is the removal of plaque and tartar from exposed teeth roots while subgingival curettage refers to the removal of the surface of the inflamed layer of gum tissue. Both of these procedures are usually performed under local anaesthesia and may be accompanied by the use of oral antibiotics to overcome gum infection or abscess. Follow-up treatment, if necessary, may include various types of gum operations. In advanced gum disease with significant bone destruction and loosening of teeth, teeth splinting or teeth extractions may be necessary.

Bad Breath Problem

How to understand that you have a bad breath problem?
1. If you notice that when you speak, people around you try to keep you at a distance or take a step back, you have a first hint of a halitosis problem.
2. Put your hands in front of your mouth and nose, and exhale.
3. Lick the back of your wrist, let it dry for a minute or two and then smell it.
4. Ask a close friend if your breath is unpleasant.
Ask your dentist.
5. Use a halimeter (measures the levels of volatile sulfur compounds in the breath)