Oral Health and General Health

Oral Health and General Health

Oral diseases are among the most common diseases of humankind, yet they receive little attention in our country with week health care system. despite a high social and economic burden from oral diseases they are considered a neglected area of international health.

Oral health and general health have close linkages. on the one hand ,oral health can be compromised by a number of chronic and infectious diseases which show symptoms in the mouth. on the other hand ,oral diseases can lead to infection, inflammation and other serious impacts on overall health thus, maintaining good oral health is crucial to sustain general health and vice versa.

Impacts of oral conditions on general health

The mouth can reflect the state of general health. conversely , oral diseases can have an impact on general health.

·         Endentulousness (loss of teeth) within the elderly population results in impaired ability to chew and can lead to malnutrition.

·         Gum disease can be the starting point of noma

·         Dental infections have been associated with higher increased risk for pneumonia

·         Oral bacteria are associated with infective endocarditis (inflammation of the heart’s inner lining)

·         Gum disease has been associated with higher risk of cardiovascular disease

·         The mouth may be a reservoir for bacteria associated with stomach ulcers

·         Gum disease can complicate diabetes

·         Gum disease has been associated with higher risk of pre-term babies

·         Gum disease has been associated with higher risk of low-birthweight babies

·         Oral bacteria are associated with infective arthritis

Impacts of systemic disease on oral health

·         HIV/AIDS often manifests in the mouth

·         Low blood sugar level can be detected by a characteristic odour

·         Teteracycline antibiotic use by pregnant mothers or children can result in an enamel malformation and staining of the children’s teeth

·         Measles is usually detected by characteristic spots on the inner cheeks

·         Tuberculosis may show as a characteristic ulcer of the tongue surface or other oral tissues

·         Xerostomia (dry mouth due to lack of saliva)results in rapid dental decay

·         Tetanus infection may result in lockjaw

·         Scurvy ,a viitamin c deficiency, can result in swollen, bleeding gums and tooth loss

·         Diabetes can result in delayed wound healing and worsening of gum disease

·         Leukaemia may result in oral ulcers

·         Syphilis during pregnancy can result in characteristic tooth and palate malformation in the child

·         Stress and psychological disorders can lead to grinding, clenching and TMJ  joint problems

·         Down syndrome often includes an enlarged tongue

·         Drug abuse is often associated with severe caries and tooth loss

·         Bulimia often causes characteristic tooth erosions(from gastric acid)

·         Various genetic syndromes cause malformation of teeth and jaws

Teeth and Winter

Teeth and Winter

As hard as our teeth are ,they are not immune to extreme hot or cold temperatures .teeth are porous and sensitive in nature ;however they should be able to endure the cold with little to no irritation on a regular basis. teeth are used to our normal body temperatures ,so when they encounter something hotter or colder while eating and drinking ,they can experience issues that may cause great pain or at least mild irritation.

CAUSES OF TOOTH SENSITIVITY

Solid substances and liquids are not the only things that can irritate your teeth; cold air breathed in through an open mouth can cause teeth to contract and can allow the air to touch upon exposed sensitive areas especially along the gum line .  after teeth have contracted from exposure to cold air, they will expand again once your mouth is closed. over time, these expansions and contractions can cause hairline cracks in your teeth that you may not even know are there, but they’ll rear their ugly heads once they hit cold temperature

While the nature of this condition can vary from person to person, the cause is almost always exposed nerve endings. this exposure arises when the dentin, the interior part of your teeth ,loses its protective enamel covering .although enamel is hard and durable, several factors can lead to erosion and eventual loss of enamel

Improper brushing

Brushing your teeth at least twice a day is an important part of your daily oral care routine, but the way you brush can also have a big impact. using a toothbrush that’s too rigid, for example, can put unnecessary pressure on your teeth and compromise your enamel. along the same lines ,brushing too forcefully can actually wear away the enamel and leave the dentin exposed.

Tooth decay

Regular brushing and flossing can prevent tooth decay ,but this daily routine isn’t always enough. plaque a film composed of bacteria from your mouth and sugars from the food you eat ,constantly forms on your teeth. if you don’t remove the plaque effectively .it can harden into tartar and contribute to tooth decay, further exposing the dentin.

Gum disease

Tartar buildup can make brushing difficult, since this hard substance can block access to your teeth and gums. over time , your gums can become inflamed and infected , eventually receding and pulling away from your teeth. newly exposed root areas can easily become hypertensive to extreme temperatures.

Tooth grinding

Grinding your teeth at night can cause tooth pain , headaches and other problems. the friction from tooth grinding can wear away your enamel and the pressure can cause cracks that might later attract bacteria and infections .pain and sensitivity can result from tooth decay and enamel loss.

How to handle winter temperatures

Whether you love winter or you can’t wait for summer to return, cold temperatures can be tough for your teeth to handle. if you’re suffering from issues with sensitive teeth ,try the following solutions

·         Breathe carefully

             During the winter months , Inhaling deeply can cause a wave of frigid air to hit your         

             teeth.  if you breathe through your mouth ,the cold blast can lead to serious pain .avoid     

              the cold  shock by breathing through your NOSE.

·         Drink warm beverages

·         Use a soft-bristle toothbrush

·         Avoid brushing teeth immediately after ingesting acidic foods.

·         Use a special toothpaste(desensitizing toothpaste)

·         Use mouthwashes that contain potassium salts and fluorides

·         Filling cavities in any exposed dentin

·         Have a professional(dentist) cleaning