Diseases of Oral Health

Cavities

Cavities are also known as dental

carries or tooth decay
Some cavities can be seen, some
can be felt, and some can be seen
and felt
Good oral hygiene, such as routine
brushing, flossing, and use of
fluoride can help prevent cavities
Eating a nutritious balanced diet
and limit excess of sugar, starches,
caffeinated beverages, or highly
acidic foods
Gum Disease
Gingivitis and Periodontitis are two types
of gum disease
Tartar that is not removed from teeth and
gums will over time cause and
inflammation of the gums (gingivitis) this
when left untreated can then lead to
inflammation around the tooth and cause
pockets for infection to form
(periodontitis)
Smoking, hormone changes, diabetes,
certain diseases, and genetics can increase
a persons risk of developing gum disease
Ongoing bad breath, red or swollen gums,
tender or bleeding gums, painful chewing,
loose teeth, sensitive teeth, and receding
gums are signs of gum disease
Good oral care is the key to prevention
and controlling the infection is the key to
treatment This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA
Tooth Loss
Tooth loss can be from aging,
advanced cavities, periodontal
disease, malnourishment or injury
The most common replacement for
tooth loss is dentures, but there is
also the possibility of dental implants
or fixed bridges
Dental implants often require surgery
for placement and therefore require
patents to be healthy in order to
receive them
Dentures on average are the more
cost effective measure than implants
A fixed bridge is also known as a
pontic or crown; they are cemented
into place by the dentist
This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY

Oral Cancer
There are many forms of oral
cancer
The Oral Cancer Foundation has
photos on several types of cancer
http://oralcancerfoundation.org/d
ental/oral-cancer-images/
Tobacco products greatly increase
the risk of developing oral cancer
https://www.cdc.gov/OralHealth/pdfs/oral_cancer.pdf
Warning Signs of Oral Cancer
A sore in the mouth that does not heal (most
common symptom)
A white or red patch on the gums, tongue,
tonsil, or lining of the mouth that will not go
away
A lump or thickening in the cheek
A sore throat or a feeling that something is
caught in the throat
Difficulty chewing or swallowing
Difficulty moving the jaw or tongue
Numbness of the tongue or other area of the
mouth
Swelling of the jaw that causes dentures to fit
poorly or become uncomfortable
Loosening of the teeth or pain around the
teeth or jaw
Voice changes
A lump or mass in the neck
Weight loss
Fungal, Bacterial, or Viral infections

Almost half (4050%) of people who

are HIV-positive have oral fungal,
bacterial or viral infections. These
often occur early in the course of This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY

HIV infection. World Health

Organization (WHO)
This Photo by Unknown Author is
licensed under CC BY-SA

This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA

Oro-dental Trauma
Protect your and your families teeth
Use mouth guards an helmets with
contact sports
Teach small children safe play
practices, avoid pushing and
knocking teeth with heavy objects
Create a trip free home environment
If a tooth is knocked out completely
pick it up by the white part of the
tooth, rinse with cold water and
place instantly back in the mouth or
into a cup of milk and go
immediately to the dentist for repair
There is a Dental Trauma First Aid
app recommended by the
International Association of Dental
Traumatology
https://www.iadt-dentaltrauma.org/images/english2.jpg
Noma

Noma is a gangrenous lesion that

affects young children living in
extreme poverty primarily in Africa
and Asia. Lesions are severe
gingival disease followed by
necrosis (premature death of cells
in living tissue) of lips and chin.
Many children affected by noma
suffer from other infections such as
measles and HIV. Without any
treatment, about 90% of these
children die. - World Health
Organization (WHO) This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA
Cleft Lip and palate

Birth defects such as cleft lip and

palate occur in about one per 500
700 of all births. This rate varies
substantially across different
ethnic groups and geographical
areas. World Health Organization
(WHO)

This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA