Oral Diseases

Healthy teeth, mouth, and gums are very important to a person's overall health. The term oral refers to the whole mouth, including the teeth, gums, hard and soft palate, tongue, lips, salivary glands, and chewing muscles. Good oral health means being free of tooth decay and gum disease, as well as being free of chronic oral pain conditions, oral cancer, and birth defects such as cleft lip and palate. Tooth decay and gum disease are largely caused by plaque, a sticky material that develops on the exposed portions of the teeth, consisting of bacteria, mucus, and food debris. Plaque accumulates on teeth after eating, and if it is not removed thoroughly each day, it will mineralize and harden into a hard deposit called tartar, which becomes trapped at the base of the tooth. A number of problems are associated with plaque and tartar, including the following:

• Cavities
• Gingivitis
• Periodontitis
• Oral cancer
• Trench mouth
• Bad breath (halitosis)

A cavity is a small hole that forms on the surface of a tooth. Cavities are caused when sugars in the food we eat and bacteria in our mouths mix together, producing a mild acid that eats away at the outer layer of our teeth, called enamel. Small cavities can easily be [Page 334]filled but, if left untreated, can become larger and cause pain. The tooth may even have to be removed and replaced with a false (or artificial) tooth.

Gingivitis is the first stage of gum disease. Signs of gingivitis are puffy, nonpainful gums; traces of blood on your toothbrush; or a change in the color of your gums from pink to slightly red. Gingivitis is a form of periodontal disease involving inflammation of the gums (gingiva) and can be caused by the long-term effects of plaque deposits. Plaque and tartar irritate and inflame the gingiva.

The acid from the mixture of bacteria in the mouth and the food you eat can attack the surfaces of the teeth and gums, leading to infected, swollen, and tender gums. Trauma to the gums, commonly seen in excessive brushing or flossing of the teeth, can also cause gingivitis. The risks for developing gingivitis include poor dental hygiene, uncontrolled diabetes, pregnancy, tobacco use, and certain medications. Gingivitis can be prevented, and if started, it can be reversed.

Untreated or delayed treatment of gingivitis can lead to periodontitis. Inflammation causes a pocket to develop between the gums and the teeth, which fills with plaque and tartar. Soft tissue swelling traps the plaque in the pocket. Continued inflammation spreads from the gums and destroys the soft tissue and bone that support the teeth. Loss of support causes the teeth to become loose and eventually fall out. This disorder is not common in children but increases during adolescence. Among adults, periodontitis is the primary cause of bleeding, pain, and tooth loss. Damage caused by periodontal disease is not reversible, but it is largely preventable. Daily brushing and flossing and regular professional dental cleanings can greatly reduce the chance of developing periodontitis.

Oral cancer is a disease resulting from abnormal cell growth in the mouth, most commonly involving the tissue of the lips or the tongue. Most oral cancers are classified as squamous cell carcinomas, a very malignant cancer that tends to spread quickly. The actual cause of oral cancer is not known, but smoking and other tobacco use are associated with 70 to 80 percent of oral cancer cases. Smoke and heat from cigarettes irritate the mucous membranes of the mouth. Use of chewing tobacco causes irritation from direct contact with the mucous membranes. Heavy alcohol use and prolonged, repeated exposure of the lips to the sun are also high-risk activities associated with oral cancer. It is especially dangerous to combine smoking and alcohol. People, especially men, over the age of 45 are most at risk. Oral cancer can be treated successfully if caught early enough.

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