Oral and dental hygiene have as much to do with eating habits and systemic diseases as they do with genetics. This month, we looked into both the causes and cures for oral and dental-health problems.
BAD BREATH
We know how embarrassing it is to have bad breath caused by oral bacteria. But did you know that having bad breath can pose a danger to your health as well as your social life? Before we come up with a solution, let’s delve into the roots of the problem.
Causes
The most common cause of bad breath is food particles lingering in between teeth. These particles produce acid, leading to the formation of bacteria, which multiply even more rapidly when your mouth is closed. Gasses produced by these bacteria mix with gasses from the digestive tract to spread a foul odour every time you exhale. This can be a very serious problem, especially for anyone with gum disease. Diabetes, disorders of the liver or salivary glands and vitamin deficiencies can also cause bad breath, as can dental plaque, indented tooth surfaces, and not eating for extended periods of time.
Treatment
Most important is developing an immaculate routine for oral and dental care. You should brush your teeth for three minutes three times a day, making sure to brush your tongue and the inner surfaces of your cheeks, and you should visit a dentist once every six months for tartar removal. If you have gum problems, you need to use an interdental brush and mouthwash once a day. If your bad breath is due to a systemic disease like diabetes, you’ll need to have that treated. Aging dental prosthetics need to be checked regularly and, if necessary, replaced.
BRUXISM
Do you wake up with pain in your jaw, facial muscles and ears and with sounds coming from your joints? Then you’re probably clenching or even grinding your teeth while you sleep, without being aware of it.
Causes
Dentist Alex Okza explains that the biggest cause of bruxism is emotional stress: “The negative effect stress has on our body often surfaces as problems affecting oral tissue. Whenever we feel extra nervous, impatient, or sensitive, bruxism can become more pronounced.” According to some sources, bruxism occurs in two out of five people. Bruxism can be hereditary, and it can be provoked by malocclusion, i.e., misalignment of the teeth.
Treatment
Increased friction wears down the top layer of the teeth, causing micro-fractures in the corners as well as the protruding parts of the teeth. These fractures, in turn, can loosen teeth, cause gaps to appear between teeth, and can make teeth more sensitive to cold. This is usually accompanied by chronic headaches and facial pain. Alex Okza recommends that bruxism sufferers use a silicone nightguard to protect their teeth. If that doesn’t fix the problem, then treatment may be required to relax facial muscles, replace missing teeth with prosthetics and replace faulty fillings and veneers. Psychotherapy can help treat the root of the problem.
PERIODONTAL DISEASE
If your gums bleed regularly, are prone to inflammation and are detached from your
teeth, head straight to a dentist.
Causes
Periodontal disease is caused by bacterial plaque, a clear, sticky microbial layer that accumulates on the teeth and can contain millions of bacteria. Plaque is soft, so it can be easily removed by brushing and flossing. According to Dr. Julia Dorman, misaligned teeth, tooth decay, faulty fillings and prosthetics, as well as dry mouth, can lead to an increase in plaque accumulation.
Treatment
In its early stages, periodontal disease can be treated effectively with good dental hygiene and professional cleaning of tooth surfaces, since it won’t have penetrated to the bone and deep tissues holding the tooth in place. If preventative measures aren’t taken, infection can spread to deeper layers of the tissue, leading to the erosion of supportive bone tissue and subsequent tooth loss. In such cases, curettage and straightening of the root surface is performed, and, if necessary, surgery. It’s important not to ignore diseases that can cause oral bacteria to enter into the bloodstream.
TOOTH DISCOLORATION
All those products you use for oral and dental hygiene promise you a row of pearly whites, but when you look into the mirror, you find yourself staring at yellowish teeth! Well, did it ever cross your mind that your lifestyle might be the source of the problem?
Causes
Dentist Kevin Elgin states that teeth discoloration can have a range of causes, from diet to medication: “Coffee, tea, cola, red wine, cigarettes, tetracycline-type antibiotics, materials like amalgam used in dental treatment and excessive fluoride intake from toothpaste and mouthwash are the main culprits leading to yellowing of teeth.” Radiotherapy and chemotherapy treatments can also cause enamel discoloration. On the other hand, some people are just born lucky, with a genetic predisposition for brighter, thicker tooth enamel.
Treatment
Elgin says that lifestyle changes like quitting smoking, flossing and avoiding food and drink that can cause staining can prevent tooth discoloration. While the issue is largely a cosmetic one, it may be related to poor dental hygiene, which can lead to gum disease, tooth decay and tooth loss. Stained and yellow teeth can be treated by brightening, either with a do-it-yourself home product, or through a visit to a professional. For safety reasons, Elgin recommends having cleaning done in a clinical setting under a dentist’s supervision.
