• AMERICAN DENTAL ASSOCIATION
• Accessed Dec 01, 2021

Oral Health

Oral health touches every aspect of our lives but is often taken for granted. Your mouth is a window into the health of your body. It can show signs of nutritional deficiencies or general infection. Systemic diseases, those that affect the entire body, may first become apparent because of mouth lesions or other oral problems.

Whether you are 80 or 8, your oral health is important. Most Americans today enjoy excellent oral health and are keeping their natural teeth throughout their lives; however, cavities remain the most prevalent chronic disease of childhood. Some 100 million Americans fail to see a dentist each year, even though regular dental examinations and good oral hygiene can prevent most dental disease. Many people believe that they need to see a dentist only if they are in pain or think something is wrong, but regular dental visits can contribute to a lifetime of good oral health. If you are experiencing dental pain, don't put off seeing a dentist. With dentistry's many advances, diagnosis and treatment are more sophisticated and comfortable than ever.

• HEALTHCARE.UTAH.EDU
• Apr 30, 2019

Tooth Pain: Common Causes And Prevention

Your dentist knows best: Brush at least twice a day, floss every day, and be sure to brush your gum line. Taking good care of your teeth greatly reduces the likelihood and severity of tooth pain. Common causes of tooth pain are often related to poor oral hygiene. But if you are experiencing persistent tooth pain, visit your dentist as soon as you can.

Tooth decay

“The most common cause of tooth pain is also considered the #1 disease in the world,” says Dr. Robert S. Richards, DDS, at the University of Utah School of Dentistry. What’s the main culprit behind tooth decay? Bacteria, which produces acids that break down minerals in your teeth. These bacteria thrive on the consumption of sugary foods, treats, and sodas, as well as food high in carbs and acids. Age is also a factor in tooth decay, so you need to be more vigilant about oral hygiene as you get older. When the enamel and minerals in a tooth are broken down by bacteria, cavities can form and sensitive nerves become exposed. That’s when the pain really strikes. And if neglected for too long, the tooth can become infected and abscessed.

Receding Gums

Receding gums are also a sign of poor oral hygiene. Gums recede when bacteria gets caught between the gum and tooth. As the gum recedes, the more sensitive part of the tooth is exposed. Hot and cold beverages, as well as sweets, usually trigger sharp pain in these areas. It’s important to brush the gum line during your daily routine to help reduce receding gums.

Tooth Trauma

Injury to a tooth will most likely cause pain. This, of course, is an obvious cause-and-effect relationship. “However, pain due to tooth trauma might not show up for years after the event,” Dr. Richards explains. Perhaps you hit your front tooth on the monkey bars when you were a kid. It probably hurt for a short period of time, then the pain went away. The pain may resurface years later, seemingly for no reason at all. Life is unpredictable, and it’s nearly impossible to prevent all injuries. But if you engage in sports or extreme physical activities, it’s always a good idea to wear mouth protection. If you experience major tooth trauma, see your dentist immediately.

Teeth Grinding

There are many symptoms of stress. Teeth grinding can be among the most painful. Those who experience high levels of stress or anxiety often grind their teeth, usually during sleep. The key here is to address the stress itself. If it can be alleviated through self-help, therapy, and/or medication, the gnashing of the teeth will most likely diminish.

Wisdom Teeth

The extra set of molars that sit under the gums usually emerge between the ages of 18 and 25. As wisdom teeth come in, the process can be painful, much like a baby teething. And if a tooth has only partially broken through, bacteria can get stuck and cause problems, leading to pain. If a wisdom tooth comes in crooked, it can interfere with the surrounding teeth. The tooth that sits above or below a crooked wisdom tooth may be hit it in an awkward way, which can cause inflammation and create pain. The solution is to get the wisdom teeth removed.

Heredity

Heredity isn’t really a cause of tooth pain. However, it can play a role.

• MAYO CLINIC
• Oct 28, 2021

Oral Health: A Window To Your Overall Health

Your oral health is more important than you might realize. Learn how the health of your mouth, teeth and gums can affect your general health.

Did you know that your oral health offers clues about your overall health — or that problems in your mouth can affect the rest of your body? Protect yourself by learning more about the connection between your oral health and overall health.

What's the connection between oral health and overall health?

Like other areas of the body, your mouth teems with bacteria — mostly harmless. But your mouth is the entry point to your digestive and respiratory tracts, and some of these bacteria can cause disease.

Normally the body's natural defenses and good oral health care, such as daily brushing and flossing, keep bacteria under control. However, without proper oral hygiene, bacteria can reach levels that might lead to oral infections, such as tooth decay and gum disease.

Also, certain medications — such as decongestants, antihistamines, painkillers, diuretics and antidepressants — can reduce saliva flow. Saliva washes away food and neutralizes acids produced by bacteria in the mouth, helping to protect you from microbes that multiply and lead to disease.

Studies suggest that oral bacteria and the inflammation associated with a severe form of gum disease (periodontitis) might play a role in some diseases. And certain diseases, such as diabetes and HIV/AIDS, can lower the body's resistance to infection, making oral health problems more severe.

What conditions can be linked to oral health?
Your oral health might contribute to various diseases and conditions, including:
• Endocarditis. This infection of the inner lining of your heart chambers or valves (endocardium) typically occurs when bacteria or other germs from another part of your body, such as your mouth, spread through your bloodstream and attach to certain areas in your heart.
• Cardiovascular disease. Although the connection is not fully understood, some research suggests that heart disease, clogged arteries and stroke might be linked to the inflammation and infections that oral bacteria can cause.
• Pregnancy and birth complications. Periodontitis has been linked to premature birth and low birth weight.
• Pneumonia. Certain bacteria in your mouth can be pulled into your lungs, causing pneumonia and other respiratory diseases.

Certain conditions also might affect your oral health, including:
• Diabetes. By reducing the body's resistance to infection, diabetes puts your gums at risk. Gum disease appears to be more frequent and severe among people who have diabetes. Research shows that people who have gum disease have a harder time controlling their blood sugar levels. Regular periodontal care can improve diabetes control.
• HIV/AIDS. Oral problems, such as painful mucosal lesions, are common in people who have HIV/AIDS.
• Osteoporosis. This bone-weakening disease is linked with periodontal bone loss and tooth loss. Certain drugs used to treat osteoporosis carry a small risk of damage to the bones of the jaw.
• Alzheimer's disease. Worsening oral health is seen as Alzheimer's disease progresses.
Other conditions that might be linked to oral health include eating disorders, rheumatoid arthritis, certain cancers and an immune system disorder that causes dry mouth (Sjogren's syndrome).
Tell your dentist about the medications you take and about changes in your overall health, especially if you've recently been ill or you have a chronic condition, such as diabetes.