Your oral health is a vital component of your overall well-being. Neglecting it can lead to a range of issues that can affect not only your teeth but your entire body.
Continue reading to find five common oral health conditions you should be aware of and take steps to guard against. Understanding these conditions is the first step towards maintaining a healthy smile and a happy body.
1. Tooth Decay
Whenever you eat food, the ground-up particles break down to form a velvety plaque on the surface of your teeth. This plaque harbors harmful bacteria that metabolize with sugar to form acid.
When this acid is left on your pearly whites for too long, it begins to slowly eat away at the outer layer of your teeth—the enamel. The tiny holes left behind by acidic plaque are called cavities, and they are the most common oral health condition.
If left untreated, cavities will grow and spread through the mouth, infecting other teeth and causing them to rot as well.
2. Gum Disease
Also known as Periodontal disease, this condition is caused by the same bacterial plaque that causes decay. As the plaque is left to sit on the teeth, it slowly makes its way down into the gumline.
As these bacteria move deeper into the gums and are left to rest, they multiply and begin to cause an infection. This is characterized by red, swollen, and tender gums that can be itchy and painful.
3. Missing Teeth
As you read through this list, you’ll start to see that all of these conditions are connected in some way. For instance, leaving gum disease untreated can lead to missing teeth.
If your infected gums become more inflamed, they can start to loosen around your teeth. Healthy pink gums hold onto your teeth with a special “periodontal membrane.”
While the disease in your gumline worsens, this membrane loses its grip on your teeth, causing them to fall out.
4. Tooth Trauma
Trauma to the oral cavity—your mouth, lips, tongue, and teeth—is incredibly common and difficult to prevent. You can’t walk around in a helmet with a mouthpiece every day, after all.
Slips and falls, car accidents, fistfights, and sports injuries are all sources of tooth trauma. This can cause them to be cracked, chipped, or even knocked out entirely.
5. Oral Cancer
While not as common as some of the other conditions on this list, oral cancer is very serious. It makes up about three percent of all cancer diagnoses.
Oral cancer commonly forms in the tongue and floor of the mouth, but can also often spread to your lips, gums, tonsils, or other parts of your mouth.
The average 5-year survival rate for all oral cancers is around 68%. Several variables can influence the survival rate, such as:
- The cancer’s stage at diagnosis.
- Your age and overall health.
- The type of cancer you have.
- Your cancer’s response to treatment.
A thorough oral health routine that includes brushing and flossing at least twice a day is your best defense against these oral health conditions.
To improve your chances of avoiding them further, be sure to schedule regular screenings with your dentist. Their trained eyes can spot signs of deterioration and their expertise can help restore you to great health.
About the Author
Dr. Thomas A. Gromling is a dedicated and friendly dental expert ready to care for all of your oral health needs. He completed his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree at the Medical College of Virginia at Virginia Commonwealth University and has continued his education through the prestigious Dawson Academy ever since. With a broad base of dental knowledge, Thomas A. Gromling, DDS has been serving the community for nearly 40 years. To schedule a checkup, call (540) 869-4377 or visit the website for more information.