What are the problems asssociated with poor Oral Health?

Besides Gingivitis and Periodontitis, following problems are generally associated with poor oral health

Bad breath: Bad breath is an unpleasant  ailment. It is also called halitosis in dental  or medical terminology.  

Burning mouth: People sometimes feel a burning sensation in the mouth  or tongue. It is  most common n women experiencing  menopause.

Canker sores: These sores are small ulcers inside the mouth. They have a white or gray  base and a red border. 

Dry mouth: Dry mouth is  a condition caused due to lack of secretion of  saliva. It is  called xerostomia. This problem happens when you don’t have enough  saliva, or spit, in your mouth.

Oral cancer: This cancer  can affect any part of the mouth and part of the throat. If you smoke  or chew tobacco, you are at higher risk. Excessive  alcohol use along with smoking raises your risk even more. However, persons who do not smoke can also develop  oral cancer.

Oral cancer most often occurs after age 40. It is  not always painful and, as a result, it may go undetected until  the late stages. Ask your dentists to check for signs of oral cancer during your regular check-up. Oral  cancer often starts as a tiny white or red spot or sore anywhere in the mouth. Other signs include:

·                     A sore that bleeds easily  or does not heal

·                     A colour  change in the tissues of the mouth

·                     A lump, rough  spot, or other change

·                     Pain, tenderness, or numbness anywhere in the mouth or on the lips

·                     Problems chewing, swallowing, speaking or moving the jaw or tongue

·                     A change in the way the teeth fit together

Early detection and treatment enables the victim to survive. Self examination by patients can also help  detect any suspected cancerous lesions  which can be brought to the doctor’s notice.

Thrush: Thrush is a fungal infection. It is also called oral candidiasis. These fungal infections appear  as red, yellow, or white lesions, flat or slightly raised, in the mouth or throat.

What is Oral Health?

What is oral health?

The word “oral” refers to  the mouth, which includes  your teeth, gums, jawbone, and supporting  tissues. Taking good care  of your oral  health can prevent disease in your mouth. Oral health  can affect the health  of your entire body. Good oral health does not just mean you have pretty or sparkling teeth. Your whole mouth needs  care to be in good health. 

What are the most common oral health problems ?

The most common oral health  problems are cavities  and gum disease.

Cavities

We are all at risk for tooth decay, or cavities. Cavities are small holes that appear on your teeth. They may appear as a black or brown spot on the tooth. Bacteria (germs) that naturally live in our mouths use sugar in food  to make acids. Over time, the acids destroy the outside layer of your teeth. Then cavities  and other tooth damage occur.

Gum diseases

Gum diseases  are infections  caused by bacteria, along with mucus and other particles that form a sticky  plaque on your teeth. Plaque  that is left on teeth  hardens over time  and forms tartar. The mild  form  of gum  disease is called gingivitis. It causes  red, swollen gums. It can also  make the gums bleed easily. Gingivitis can be caused by plaque build-up. And the longer plaque  and tartar remain  on the teeth, the more  hark they can  do. Most gingivitis  can be treated with daily brushing and flossing and regular professional cleanings at the dental clinic.

This form  of gum disease does not lead to loss of bone or tissue around the  teeth. But if it is not treated promptly,  it can advance to periodontitis, the severe form of gum disease. If this happens, then the gums pull away from the teeth and form  infected “pockets.” There are also chances that you may also  lose the supporting bone. If you suffer from periodontitis, you must see your dentist for treatment. Failure to do would result in your teeth getting loosened over time and may have to be removed.

Prevention of tooth decay

1.         Avoid  having sugar in the mouth for long periods of time.

2.         Stay away from sucking candies and chewing gum containing sugar, and refrain from drinking soft drinks regularly (unless sugar-free).

3.         Try to cut down on the number of snacks  per day. If snacking is necessary, substitute foods that don’t promote tooth delay. Examples are popcorn, pretzels, fruits, nuts, cheese, and vegetables.

4.         If you must consume sugary foods, do so with a meal or for dessert. Increased  saliva flow during meals helps to wash the food away. Also, many people  brush their after meals. It’s better to eat sweets at a time  and place that allows  you to brush teeth soon afterward. 

Gum disease is extremely common and is often unrecognized because  it rarely causes pain. It is caused by dental plaque and when allowed to progress gum disease  can lead to the teeth becoming loose and eventually falling out. Smokers are far more likely to suffer from gum disease, as are people with diseases such as diabetes.

Periodontal diseases

The prevalence of periodontal diseases like gingivitis and periodontitis are very high in India  and few states like Orissa and Rajasthan have shown to be 100% prevalence in the age group of 35-44 years and 65-74 years. Gingivitis  left untreated  would lead to periodontitis, leading to loosening of tooth and finally loss of tooth. Major etiology of gingivitis is poor oral  hygiene with plaque depositing on the tooth, which harbours numerous  pathologic micro-organisms responsible in bringing about  gingivitis and is sequelae.

No prosthetic  or restorative treatment can completely restore  the natural aesthetics or functionality  of a lost tooth. So maintenance of oral hygiene and prevent loss of tooth  due to periodontitis and sequelae of dental caries is all the more important for the above reasons mentioned