Introduction
The advantages of good oral hygiene can help prevent existing and prevalent dental problems, primarily plaque and calculus, which are the major causes of caries (cavities) and tooth decay. Dental caries are not only found in the adolescent population, but are also found in adults, due to gums receding throughout the aging process. This exposes the roots of teeth to the different types of bacteria that cause plaque and tooth decay. To be sure, seniors with poor health are no exception to dental caries and are often the most affected due to low fluoride use and/or poor oral care during adolescence. However, while dental caries and tooth decay are the most prominent topics of oral health, there is also a close connection association between poor dental care and overall health. Poor oral health can cause severe consequences in people with cardiovascular disease (CHD) due to the bacteria and periodontal diseases found in gums that enter the bloodstream and thus, into the heart, causing atherosclerosis. Another outcome of poor dental care is the increased risk of bacteria from gingivitis, called spirochetes, entering the brain through the bloodstream. This can eventually lead to the progression of Alzheimer’s disease or dementia. Periodontal disease and gum inflammation the inflammation of gums can also interfere with blood sugar levels and can cause symptoms to rise in diabetic patients. In addition, the increased risk of respiratory infections like pneumonia, which
If not treated gingivitis can turn into periodontal disease. According to (British Society of Periodontology), the risk factors of periodontal disease are high for people who smoke, family history and stress. Angela presented herself as a smoker and stressed which all related to periodontal disease. Periodontal diseases are split into different types and classifications according to the specific etiology affirms (Nield-Gehrig & Willmann
Other problems can arise because of periodontal disease. The obvious is tooth loss. After awhile all gum recession and bone damage will cause the teeth to fall out. This leads to more dental problems and eventually dentures. Bad breath is often caused by periodontal disease. This is often unpleasant and embarrassing for the person experiencing it. Other problems that periodontal disease contributes to are heart disease and stroke. Thirty percent of heart attack victims and stroke victims have a type of periodontal disease. What happens is the same plaque that builds up on your teeth, gets into the blood stream and clogs the main arteries of the heart and brain. This leads to a heart attack and
Also commonly referred to as Gingivitis, gum disease is a contagious bacterial infection that not only affects your mouth ecology, but that can have pronounced effects on your overall health. Locally, it can be responsible for eroding and destroying your gums, and in more advanced stages it can lead to tooth loss and even jawbone erosion. Still, left untreated, the inflammation from the bacterial infection can even lead to a variety of ailments ranging from increased allergies to cancer.
“The impact of unmet oral health care needs is magnified by the well-established connection between oral health and overall health” (Fineberg, H. 2011, p. ix). Oral health status is linked with general health, as evidenced by the association between poor oral health and chronic diseases, such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and respiratory disease. Poor oral hygiene can also lead to other health issues such as, oral facial pain and digestive problems. “The silent epidemic of oral diseases disproportionately affects disadvantaged communities,
The most important cariogenic bacteria are Streptococcus mutans. Other cariogenic bacteria include S. salivarius and S. sanguis as well as various species of Eikenellan and Lactobacillus. Dental caries is a disease of the tooth enamel and the tooth itself, while periodontal disease is a combination of gum swelling and erosion of the ligaments and bone that supports the teeth. Mildest form of periodontal disease is gingivitis, while the most severe form is called acute necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis also known as trench mouth. Poor oral hygiene, unhealthy diet, alcohol and tobacco use may constitute in the development of dental caries and periodontal
As stated by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, “Each year, more than 30,000 new cases of cancer of the oral cavity and pharynx are diagnosed and over 8,000 deaths due to oral cancer occur.” (CDC). Most adults are unaware that they have periodontal disease or gum disease, this occurs because they do not maintain routine checkups with their dentist. When we insert food and other bacteria into our mouths, it affects our teeth and gums. We need routine dental checkups and cleanings throughout our lives. Dental checkups usually involve x-rays, cleanings, and the examination of the mouth.
Oral health is an important part of an overall health. Oral diseases ranging from cavities to cancer are all serious threats to an oral health. Research shows that there may be a link between oral disease and other health problems such as diabetes, heart disease and stroke as well as pre-term and low-birth-weight babies. If left untreated, it can cause more complications to the oral health. Periodontal disease, root caries and infections and other oral cancer can lead to severe pain, loss of teeth and serious health conditions. As a health care provider, it is significant to realizing the connection between oral diseases and systemic diseases so that we all can deliver our services to prevent and help treat disease while it is still manageable. Expanding the role of dental hygienists might reduce the most serious consequences of limited access to dentists, and dental hygienists are potentially well suited to play an important role in expanding affordable access (1). Collaborative practice of dental hygiene
According to Health Canada (2008), “Untreated gum disease can lead to the loss of teeth and an increased risk of more serious diseases, such as respiratory disease.” So it is important to take care of our teeth, gums and tongue to prevent other serious infections and diseases from developing. A person’s self-esteem will be affected if he or she doesn’t have healthy teeth because it will cause confident level to drop and the person becomes more self-conscious about it in front of others. A person with poor oral hygiene will have bad breath due to not scrapping his or her tongue, it will decrease social interaction with others because other people will walk away or they will stop talking.
Periodontal disease can lead you to lose all of your teeth. The mouth is the gateway to the rest of the body; it can be the entering passage between healthy and sick. The moment an infection grows in the mouth, the entire body automatically starts to try to fight it. “…due to significant findings supporting the association between periodontal disease and systemic conditions such as cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes mellitus, adverse pregnancy outcomes, and osteoporosis” (Amar and Kim). It has been suggested that the bacteria of this infection may enter the bloodstream and attach themselves to the blood vessels which then increase clot formation. These clots then lower the blood flow to the heart indicating that a heart attack is a common consequence of gum
Millions of Americans suffer from excruciating tooth pain every single day. They have cavities. They have stains on their teeth. They avoid smiling. They can even have bad breath, which is a sign that your teeth or your mouth is unhealthy. Some Americans are walking around with gum disease. Gum disease is an infection in your mouth. It’s the gums and the bones infected and you’re walking around everyday with an infection, which can cause lots of other health problems all over your body because you’re not paying attention to your teeth. On oralb.com, I read that “gum disease is linked to heart attacks and stroke.” Now maybe you’re one of the many Americans who avoids the dentist at all costs. You’re saying, “Oh I brush my teeth twice or three times a day”, “I
Terri Fava is a 46 yrs. Old woman, married with three kids. She is in good health, she has been diagnosis with high blood pressure and GERD. Terri high blood pressure is controlled by medication. Dental history is on good standards, but teeth are sensitive to hot and cold. Terri plaque score started at 75% and decrease to 25% during her visit with the clinic. What was noted during Terri’s appointment heavy tenacious calculus and root exposure. Her interdental papilla slightly inflamed. Terri has a habit of coffee drinking with creamer and sugar, along with having sweet tea and Pepsi. Her caries risk assessment indicated that Terri range from low to moderate. Terri is a good candidate for nutritional counseling because her oral mucosa has
Throughout this essay not only will I tell you why I decided to shadow a Dental Hygienist but I will teach you a few things. Which includes what exactly I learned to do and how the body pertains to the mouth. While doing this you will also come to understand what exactly I did during my time with Amy.
Have you ever thought about what could happen if you don't practice good oral hygiene? Have you ever thought about the fact that cavities can lead to even more serious dental problems? Do you know that if you aren't practicing good oral hygiene, you're opening the door to dental problems that isn't easy to close? If you don't take care of your teeth,think about how much harder easy life tasks would be for you. It is not that hard to simply brush your teeth twice a day and floss them once. The effects of not having good oral hygiene are cavities, gingivitis, and periodontal disease.
Importance of careful assessment of oral cavity for suspicious lesions for early detection of multiple myeloma.1
Elderly are at increased risk for periodontal disease.12 However, Genco in 1996 observed that high prevalence of periodontitis in elderly is the result of summation of periodontal destruction occurred throughout child and adulthood.13 In a study, conducted by Rupasree and Vijay showed that lower economic status and lower education is associated with significantly increased risk for periodontal disease.14 Finally, A community level study held by American dental association showed that there is 6% people do not brush their teeth regularly, 56% of people do not floss regularly, and 42% people do not use mouth wash regularly.19 This results shows that much efforts are needed in order to increase the oral hygiene practice.