All about Oral Health and Common Dental Problems




Oral Health and Common Dental Problems

All about Oral Health and Common Dental Problems

If you want to maintain healthy and shining teeth, check out this article on oral health. Here, you will learn about the best oral health habits and practices, which will help keep your mouth fresh, your gums healthy, and your teeth disease-free and shining.

Teeth are our front-line soldiers who help us cut, grind and chew food, help speak words, give us a good smile and even help in defense. As per WHO, "Oral health is a key indicator of overall health, well-being, and quality of life."

Also Read: Oral Hygiene, An Overview

Common dental and oral problems

People who follow primary oral health habits and practices such as brushing their teeth twice a day, flossing regularly, and visiting the dentist once every six months generally maintain good oral health. But let's see what happens if you fail or miss out to keep even primary oral care-

  • Ulcers and sores in the mouth. These are generally painful sores on the inner lips, gums, tongue, roof of the mouth, or inside throat that may interfere with eating.
  • Bleeding in gums or swollen gums after brushing or flossing. It's usually the first symptom of the common and mild form of gum disease and is generally caused by plaque buildup on the gum line.
  • Bad breath. It is generally caused by poor dental hygiene, dehydration, or by eating certain foods like onion or garlic.
  • Sensitivity of teeth. It's typically caused by worn tooth enamel or exposed tooth roots; the first signs are sensitivity to hot and cold food or drinks.
  • Toothache. The common symptoms are pain or inflammation in or around the tooth, commonly caused by tooth decay or infection.
  • Loosening of teeth- receding gums, gum problems, and erosion of enamel cause loosening of teeth.
  • Cavities-These are the tiny holes in teeth; they are caused by plaque buildup on teeth, which slowly destroys enamel.
  • Receding gums. It's a common and un-noticed gum problem and can cause severe damage to teeth.
  • Swelling of the face and cheek, it's a common sign of infection in teeth and requires immediate medical attention.
  • Cracked or broken teeth are harrowing situations where a person feels pain while chewing or biting.
  • Problems in salivary glands can lead to dry mouth, triggering many dental issues.

Causes of oral diseases

As per a Lancet report, an estimated nearly 3.5 billion people are affected by oral diseases. The most common causes of oral diseases are due to the following-

Smoking

Exposing teeth to nicotine and tobacco, resulting in stained yellow teeth and bad breath. Moreover, smoking also affects the sense of taste, lowers down the immune system, and can even contribute to oral cancer.

Alcohol

Frequent drinking of alcohol causes dryness in the mouth which can cause plaque, gum disease, tooth decay, mouth sores, and even permanent tooth loss. Even moderate drinkers are at risk for tooth and mouth disease.

Poor diet

A diet lacking vitamins and minerals can cause many oral problems. Lack of adequate amount of calcium, phosphorus, vitamin C, etc., in diet, can lead to enamel decay as the body is not able to replenish it back. Poor diet is also one of the leading factors causing gum diseases.

A high sugar diet

Regularly eating candies increases the risk of acid-producing bacteria, which can destroy enamel and cause dental cavities. It's pretty well known that candy is bad for teeth. When they are chewed, they stick to our teeth causing decay.

Poor oral hygiene

Poor oral hygiene habits like poor brushing habits, not brushing before sleep, etc., cause serious oral health issues. One should brush at least once a day, wash the teeth after eating; avoiding doing that can invite serious oral health troubles.

Diabetes

Uncontrolled diabetes can lead to more sugar in saliva and promote bacterial growth in teeth. Moreover, when bacteria in the saliva combine with pieces of leftover food, it increases plaque formation, leading to plaque buildup, tooth decay, and gum disease.

Genetic problems

Genetic disorders like amelogenesis imperfecta are responsible for enamel defects causing small or discolored teeth, pitted or grooved enamel surfaces, or chalky color changes. Teeth also get prone to rapid wear and breakage.

Frequent snacking

Frequent snacking on potato chips, cold drinks, etc. Leftovers overs on snacks like biscuits, potato chips, etc., can cause a lot of decay. Cold drinks also can cause severe tooth decay as they have high sugar content and acid.

Dryness in the mouth

Dryness in the mouth or insufficient production of saliva. A drier mouth generally promotes bacterial growth leading to tooth and enamel decay.

How oral health impacts general health

Most oral diseases and conditions can also contribute to non-communicable diseases, especially when the underlying factors include smoking, tobacco use, alcohol consumption, and unhealthy sugar-rich diets. There is also a proven correlation between oral and general health like diabetes is linked with plaque buildup and receding gums

Also Read: Tips From Top Dentists For Maintaining Oral Health

Best Oral health practices.

Some of the best oral health practices to avoid gum and tooth problems are as follows-

  • Proper brushing of teeth- While brushing your teeth, ensure that you do it properly, as poor brushing is equally inadequate as not brushing at all. Ensure that you give sufficient time, and use the toothbrush gently, don't force it on teeth, also ensure that all areas of the mouth are adequately cleaned. Areas with plaque build will require special attention while brushing.
  • Brush before going to sleep to ensure no leftover food remains in the mouth during sleep.
  • Choose a good toothpaste, which whitens the teeth and ensures healthier gums.
  • Drink a sufficient amount of water at regular intervals to keep your mouth moist.
  • Eat healthy and fresh fruits, milk products, and vegetables to ensure that all the vitamins, minerals, proteins, etc., your body needs are delivered. Avoid hyper-processed and sugary foods, focus more on nutrition.
  • Remember to visit your dentist at least twice a year to ensure the best overall protection of your teeth.

If you want to help people keep their teeth and gums healthy and practice as a flourishing dentist, join the BDS program at Mansarovar Dental College, the best dental college in MP. Being the best dental college in Madhya Pradesh, Mansarovar Dental College offers courses in four disciplines, namely Prosthodontics, Orthodontics, Periodontics, Conservative, and Endodontics. It also provides unique prospects for students to get involved in various Research and Development projects associated with multiple organizations.


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