Dental disease occurs when one or more of several factors are present according to Patricia Meredith, D.D.S., UI Hospital Dentristy dentist. "These factors are:
- specific bacteria,
- poor diet,
- poor oral hygiene, and
- lack of professional dental care."
"Dental diseases are caused by bacteria. Some people have the specific bacteria in their mouth to cause cavities or gum disease or both. If no action is taken these bacteria can be very destructive, causing the loss of teeth," she says. "On the other hand, even people who have these bacteria in their mouth can have good dental health by watching their diet, practicing good oral hygiene, and seeing their dentist regularly.
"What you eat is important for your overall health but also for your dental health. Foods that are rich in sugar or carbohydrates, especially sticky foods that are eaten as snacks without brushing after eating, feed the destructive bacteria and increase a person's chances for cavities or gum diseases.
"If you choose to eat these foods, good brushing and flossing significantly reduce their negative effects on your teeth," Meredith says. "Lastly, but not least, is the need for regular dental care to have a healthy mouth.
"Any time you have pain or swelling in your mouth you should seek dental advice. These may be the signs of serious dental problems. Cavities frequently cause pain when eating hot, cold, or sweet foods," she says. Gum disease may cause teeth to be loose or cause bad breath. It is better to seek regular dental care rather than just when something is bothering you. "Just as your car or home require regular maintenance, to have a healthy mouth you must seek regular dental care," she says.
Dental disease can affect your basic need for nutrition. When teeth are missing or in poor condition, you are not able to chew food. Dental infections as the result of decayed teeth can become very serious, even requiring hospitalization.
Studies have linked periodontal (gum) disease in pregnant women with low birth weight babies. Some inconclusive evidence points to the possibility of a link between periodontal disease and heart disease.
"Pediatric dentists recommend that a child should see the dentist as soon as they get their first tooth. This allows the child to become accustomed to seeing the dentist and gives the dentist the opportunity to provide important dental information to the parents.
"Our teeth change with age just like every other part of our body. Older people frequently experience broken teeth due to repeated placement of fillings. Some older individuals notice recession of their gums. These dental problems can be addressed to allow older adults to maintain their teeth. A greater percentage of older adults have their own teeth rather than dentures than ever before," Meredith says.
"People need to find a dentist they are comfortable with and want to visit on a regular basis. So many of our fears about dentistry can be overcome once trust is established between the patient and the dentist.
"Seek out a dentist who is committed to continuing education and quality patient care and who makes you feel comfortable," she says. Some dental organizations recognize dentists who excel. Among these is the Academy of General Dentistry, which gives awards to dentists who have completed certain levels of education.
|
