Dental Diseases Overview
The word disease always sounds scary, but we all know perfectly well that toothache is one of the most terrible things that can happen in our life. However, the good news is that since most dental problems are provoked by poor oral hygiene, they can easily be prevented. Effective preparation for oral self-defense should begin with knowing your enemies.
Here’s a list of the most widespread dental afflictions:
- Dental plaque is a sticky, soft and colorless film of bacteria that builds up on the surfaces of teeth and gums. If tooth plaque bacteria are not removed from the mouth regularly, this can lead to tooth decay and dental cavities (caries) or periodontal problems (such as gingivitis and periodontitis). Dental plaque is not only a cosmetic problem. It also may cause inflammation of gums and lead to gum recession and gum disease.
- Dental Calculus or Dental Tartar is a yellow or brown layer of mineral deposits on the teeth surface created by hardened dental plaque.
- Tooth Decay or Cavities or Dental Caries is one of the most common dental problems which is caused usually by the loss of minerals from the tooth enamel. Cavities are most likely to develop in pits on the chewing surfaces of the back teeth, in between teeth, and near the gumline or at the unprotected root. If left untreated the tooth decay can cause tooth loss.
- Periodontal disease is a disease of the gums. Gingivitis is an inflammation of the gum tissue caused by plaque and tartar. Left untreated, gingivitis can develop into periodontitis, a more serious disorder that causes gum recession, and eventually destroys tooth.
- Dental erosion (tooth erosion) is a slow progressive process that leads to the loss of the protective hard tissues of the tooth caused by a continuous exposure to acids. Dental erosion can cause mild tooth problems, such as tooth discoloration and mild sensitivity, to more severe dental problems, such as indentions in the teeth, severe tooth sensitivity, cracked teeth and tooth loss.
- Stained Teeth is a very common dental problem that makes a lot of people feel uncomfortable when they talk or smile. Discolored teeth require teeth whitening treatment. The main reason that makes teeth to lose their natural white color is the acquisition of colored substances onto the tooth pellicle.
- A dental abscess (or abscessed tooth) is a painful infection characterized by swelling, redness, and pain. It may develop as a complication of tooth decay, or from an infection in the gums. If left untreated, a dental abscess can cause serious health complications.
- Temporomandibular joint syndrome (TMJ) and myofacial pain dysfunction (MPD) are two stress-related disorders that can cause pain in the teeth and jaw. Signs of these disorders include tenderness or tension in the cheek muscles, a clicking, cracking, or popping sensation when you open your mouth, and an inability to open your mouth wide. These disorders most commonly strike women in their 20s and 30s, but can affect anyone of any age.