Dental Health Guide

“Maintaining healthy teeth and gums may be a lifelong commitment. The sooner you learn proper oral hygiene habits — like brushing, flossing, and limiting your sugar intake — higher the chances to avoid costly dental procedures and long-term health issues.” Says Dr. Bhuvana who is one of the best dentists practicing in Kodambakkam, Chennai. Dental and oral health is an important a part of your overall health and well-being. Poor oral hygiene can cause dental cavities and gum disease, and has also been linked to cancer, heart condition, diabetes & many other diseases.

Facts about dental and oral health

Dental cavities and gum disease are quite common. According to the planet Health Organization-

60 and 90 percent of children have a minimum of one dental
Nearly hundred percent of adults have a minimum of one dental
between 15 and 20 percent of adults ages 35 to 44 have severe gum disease like
About 30 percent of individuals around the world ages 65 to 74 don’t have any natural teeth
in most countries, out of each 100,000 people, there are between 1 and 10 cases of mouth
The impact of oral disease is far higher in poor or disadvantaged population

Symptoms of dental and oral problems

You shouldn’t wait until you’ve got symptoms to go to your dentist. Going to the dentist twice a year will usually allow them to catch a drag before you even notice any symptoms.

If you experience any of the subsequent warning signs of dental health issues, you must make a meeting to see your dentist as soon as possible:

ulcers, sores, or tender areas within the mouth that won’t heal after a week or two
bleeding or swollen gums after brushing or flossing
chronic bad breath
sudden sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures or beverages
pain or toothache
loose teeth
receding gums
pain with chewing or biting
swelling of the face and cheek
clicking of the jaw
cracked or broken teeth
frequent xerostomia

If any of those symptoms are amid a high fever and facial or neck

swelling, you ought to seek emergency medical treatment.

Causes of dental and oral diseases

Your mouth collects all kinds of bacteria, viruses, and fungi. A number of them belong there, making up the traditional flora of your mouth. They’re generally harmless in small quantities. But a diet high in sugar creates conditions during which acid-producing bacteria can flourish. This acid dissolves enamel and causes dental cavities.

If not removed regularly by brushing and flossing, plaque accumulates, hardens, and migrates down the length of your tooth. This will inflame your gums and cause the condition referred to as gingivitis.

Increased inflammation causes your gums to pull away from your teeth which creates pockets where pus may eventually collect. This more advanced stage of gum disease is named periodontitis.

Following are factors that may cause to gingivitis and periodontitis:

smoking
poor brushing habits
frequent snacking on sugary foods and drinks
diabetes
the use of medicines that reduce the quantity of saliva within the mouth
family history, or genetics
certain infections, like HIV or AIDS
hormonal changes in women
acid reflux, or heartburn
frequent vomiting

Diagnosing dental and oral diseases

teethMost of the dental and oral problems are often diagnosed during a regular dental check-up. During an exam, your dentist will closely inspect your:

mouth
throat
tongue
cheeks
jaw
neck

Your dentist might use various tools or instruments to tap or scrape at your

teeth with to help with a diagnosis. A technician at the dentist’s office will take dental X-rays of your mouth, ensuring to urge a picture of your teeth. Do inform your dentist if you’re pregnant. Women who are pregnant shouldn’t have X-rays.

A tool called a probe are often wont to measure your gum pockets. This small ruler can tell your dentist whether or not you’ve got gum disease or receding gums. The depth of the pockets between the teeth are usually between 1 and 3 millimeters (mm) in a healthy mouth. Any measurement above this will show that you’ve got a gum disease.

If your dentist finds any abnormal lumps, lesions, or growths in your mouth, they’ll perform a gum biopsy. During a biopsy, alittle piece of tissue is taken from the expansion or lesion. The sample is then sent to a laboratory for examination under a microscope to see for cancerous cells.

If carcinoma is suspected, your dentist can also order imaging tests to ascertain if the cancer has spread. Tests may include: