Unfortunately, a lot of Americans neglect their oral health. Many fail to properly brush and floss their teeth on a regular basis. Others choose drinks and foods that lead to severe problems. Sadly, poor oral health has been linked to other bodily problems. If you wish to remain healthy and life for as long as humanly possible, it is absolutely vital to keep your teeth, gums and tongue in great condition. Below, you’ll learn more about the most common oral diseases and problems.
Cavities
Cavities are undeniably the most common problem consumers face. In fact, the World Health Organization recently estimated that approximately sixty to ninety percent of school students have dental cavities. Nearly all adults have had a cavity at some point or another. Generally, cavities are caused by plaque building up on the teeth. In return, this creates an acid that removes the enamel from the teeth. It is vital to brush and floss your teeth on a regular basis.
If the plaque hardens and develops into tartar, you’ll need to visit a dentist to have it removed. The most common treatment for cavities are fillings. If the tooth has been badly damaged, it may be best to have it pulled.
Gum Disease
Gum disease is also moderately common. There are several different forms that can impact adults. The severity varies depending on the specific variety. Depending on the severity of the problem, it may lead to swollen gums, bleeding gums and even tooth loss. Usually, this problem will start as gingivitis. Then, it will escalate as bacteria begins to accumulate. The gums will eventually begin receding from the teeth. This can cause gum infections, which will require antibiotics.
In the United States, approximately one in five middle-aged adults will suffer from gum disease. A deep-cleaning may be able to remove the plaque and rectify the problem. Alternatively, the dentist may prefer root planing or scaling.
Tonsil Stones
It is very easy for bacteria and dead cells to become trapped inside the crannies of the tonsils. If this is allowed to happen for an extended period of time, the debris may accumulate to the point that it develops into tonsil stones. People that suffer from chronic inflammation of the tonsils are far more likely to develop tonsil stones. Tonsil stones are often associated with bad breath and sore throat. You’ll also notice white debris inside your mouth and it may be difficult to swallow. The good news is that you can get rid of tonsil stones fairly easily. Be sure to do so cautiously, so you can do not injure yourself. To learn more about getting rid of tonsil stones, be sure to visit http://tonsilstoneremoval.org/.
Oral Cancer
Roughly 45,000 Americans are diagnosed with cancer of the mouth or throat each and every year. Unfortunately, oral cancer is incredibly dangerous. The problem is even worse, because there are few signs and symptoms linked to oral cancers. Instead, the only surefire way to diagnose the problem is by visiting a dentist. Sadly, the impacted portion of the mouth will need to be removed via surgery. Then, the patient may also need to undergo radiation or chemotherapy.