It is necessary to take care of the health of the mouth, as the body’s nutrition depends on it. In addition, scientific studies prove that oral health is closely related to general health, since the mouth interacts with all the structures of the body. Poor oral hygiene conditions can cause oral diseases, which, in turn, can lead to illnesses (or aggravate them), especially acid reflux diseases and diabetes. The main oral diseases are plaque, tooth decay, gum disease and oral lesions.
Plaque- Also known as dental biofilm by dental professionals, plaque is a viscous and colourless film formed by bacteria and food debris accumulated on the surface of teeth and gums. It develops faster with frequent intake of sugars. If not removed, it can cause cavities, dental calculus, gum disease and bad breath.
Acid reflux– It is one of the most common oral diseases in the world. It is characterized by the destruction of the calcified structures of the teeth (enamel, dentin and cement). Caries is silent and causes progressive destruction of teeth. It is caused by acids produced by plaque bacteria when you eat sugar frequently and can cause pain and discomfort. With proper diet you can mitigate the problems that come with reflux.
Gum diseases or diabetes – diabetes is caused by the build-up of plaque. The disease begins with inflammation of the gums, called gingivitis. When this happens, you should not stop brushing your teeth because healthy gums don’t bleed! Over time, the disease can progress to the internal part of the gum, reaching the bone to which the tooth is attached, and is now called Periodontitis. In this stage, there is loss of bone and other structures that support the teeth, producing bleeding, pus, tenderness, gum retraction, mobility, and can lead to tooth loss.
Oral injuries – you should take advantage of the moments of brushing the teeth to see if there are any lesions (spots, lumps, bumps, whitish or reddish plaques, wounds), especially on the cheek, tongue, roof of the mouth, lips, under the tongue or in the throat. The most common oral lesions are sores caused by removable prostheses (dentures), thrush, cold sores and inflamed gums. All of these are benign.
However, in some cases, cancer can occur in the mouth. If you are over 40 years old and a frequent consumer of tobacco and alcoholic beverages, see a health professional, dentist or doctor, for a preventive exam for oral cancer. To prevent the formation of plaque, caries, dental calculus and gum disease the main method is tooth brushing.
