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7 common oral health issues

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60% of South African children are affected by dental decay.
60% of South African children are affected by dental decay.

More than 80% of the South African public is dependent on the public health system, but only a quarter of South African dentists are employed by the health system.

According to Dr Mpho Molete from the University of Witwatersrand’s Faculty of Health Sciences, 60% of South African children are affected by dental decay.

Most of these children will grow up never treating this issue, further developing other oral health issues.

Oral health issues are common even though their prevention is quite easy. Luckily treatments are also quite simple.

Bad breath

Bad breath or halitosis is a common oral health issue faced by millions of people. Food particles are probably the most common cause of bad breath. These food particles get stuck in various crevices and cavities in the mouth and attract bacteria.

Bacteria break down the food but produce sulphur compounds in the process. Dry mouth is also a major contributor to bad breath. Saliva cleans the mouth, washing away any particles and bacteria. A dry mouth results in a build-up of odours and can be caused by medication, diseases, tobacco and various other factors.

Gum disease

Gum disease occurs when bacteria infect the gums, causing inflammation. The disease occurs in two stages, gingivitis and periodontitis. Gingivitis is the lesser of the two evils as it is still reversible. These bacteria can be found in the lining of the gums. The presence of the bacteria causes inflammation as well as swelling.

Periodontitis on the other hand is much more destructive. This is when the bacteria eat away at the bone and surrounding tissue. Periodontal disease has been linked to more serious health issues like heart disease. Symptoms of gum disease include bleeding gums, bad breath, sensitive teeth and the loss of teeth.

Tooth decay

Tooth decay, more commonly referred to as cavities, occurs commonly in both adults and children. This decaying of the tooth occurs when plaque combines with the starch and sugar components of food particles left in the mouth.

This combination creates an acid, which eats away at the enamel, thereby creating holes in the teeth. Cavities can lead to tooth sensitivity and painful chewing.

Mouth sores

Mouth sores occur in different shapes and forms. Some can be quite harmful, whereas others are barely noticeable. Canker sores are small, painful ulcers that occur in the tissue of the mouth. These are caused by various elements such as a low immune system, acidic food, stress, hormone imbalances and vitamin deficiencies.

Fever blisters or oral herpes are a form of the herpes simplex virus. These commonly occur on the outer lining of the lips. These sores take the shape of fluid-filled blisters that last about 3–5 days. Oral herpes is incurable, but with proper care the virus can remain dormant for a long time.

Thrush

Oral candidiasis, more commonly referred to as thrush, occurs when the mucous membranes of the mouth experience an overgrowth of the Candida albicans fungus. This fungus occurs naturally in the mouth but can be aggravated by various elements, including chemotherapy, diabetes or even dentures.

Thrush is identified as thick, white mucous deposits on the tongue and the mouth membranes. These membranes tend to appear red and swelling may occur. Scraping the thrush out of the mouth is not recommended as it can cause bleeding.

Tooth loss

Tooth loss can be caused by various diseases and infections. One of the main causes is poor dental care, i.e. not brushing one’s teeth regularly, eating food with a high sugar content and not flossing or going for regular check-ups. Gum disease, plaque build-up, cavities and diabetes can also contribute to tooth loss.

Losing one’s teeth can also happen because of trauma, like falling, knocking one’s teeth out, biting on hard objects, etc.

Oral cancer

The biggest risk factors for oral cancer include smoking and chewing tobacco, drinking alcohol and coming into contact with the Human papillomavirus (HPV). Going for regular dental checks means that this cancer can be detected while still in its early stage.

Oral cancer can be easily treated and cured if detected early enough. Symptoms of oral cancer include sores, difficulty moving the tongue, and problems swallowing or chewing. 

Image credit: iStock

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