In the realm of oral health, knowledge is prevention. Understanding the most prevalent conditions in the field is an important step toward safeguarding your smile. From persistent cavities that affect young and old alike to the stealthy onset of gum disease, familiarizing yourself with these common concerns will enable you to take proactive measures.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll examine the most prevalent problems affecting oral health around the globe, equipping you with insights to talk informatively with your dentist and take the reins on your own treatment.
Oral Health Conditions are Widespread
When dealing with such a large amount of information, it’s important to get a big picture before zooming into the details. Oral health concerns conditions that affect the teeth, gums, and everything else in your face and throat that allows you to smile, speak, and chew.
More than 40% of adults say they’ve felt pain in their mouth within the last year, and more than 80% of people will have had at least one cavity before the age of 40.
Those are concerning numbers, but as you read on, remember that, despite the prevalence of these conditions, they are all largely treatable in their early stages and that prevention is the best solution.
Cavities
According to the World Health Organization, sugar is the number one cause of tooth decay. Sugars combine with bacteria in your mouth to form an acidic plaque. As this plaque builds up on teeth, it slowly eats away at the enamel, leaving small holes in the surface. As more acid builds up in these holes, they become larger, eventually consuming the tooth completely if left untreated.
Cavities are so common, in fact, that the treatment of them has taken up 5–10% of healthcare budgets in industrialized countries and are one of the main reasons for hospitalization of children, even in high-income countries.
That last fact may be surprising, but cavities are more than holes in teeth, they’re breeding grounds for bacteria that are being constantly swallowed. Some people leave decayed teeth untreated for so long that they risk becoming incredibly sick.
Gum (Periodontal) Disease
Gum disease is also becoming increasingly common. About 4 in 10 adults aged 30 or older have some form of it in varying severities. Infections and inflammation of the gums are mainly due to poor oral hygiene but can also come from or be made worse by conditions like diabetes or a weakened immune system.
People who smoke are also far more likely to contract gum disease. Tobacco affects mouth biomes by aiding in the production of bacteria and lowering the oxygen in the blood that is essential for your body to heal.
Oral Cancer
Smokers are also far more at risk of developing oral cancer. In 2016, there were nearly 45,000 new cases of cancer in the mouth and throat in the United States and more than 10,000 deaths. And while cancer is not preventable as we understand it, dental screenings can provide the early detection necessary to avoid slipping into the later stages when it becomes deadly.
These issues may seem overwhelming. However, it’s important to recognize that early intervention and preventive measures are the cornerstones of maintaining a healthy smile. Armed with this knowledge, you can navigate your oral health journey with confidence and speak to your dentist in an informed way that will be mutually beneficial.
About the Author
To Dr. Sujal Patel, dentistry isn’t just science, it’s an art form. He received his Doctor of Dental surgery at New York University and holds an MBA in Healthcare Management from the University of Findlay. His commitment to education and his caring, attentive nature are just some of the reasons his patients continue to come back and put their trust in him. If you’d like to schedule a preventative screening, or learn what other services Coco Dental has to offer, visit the website here or call (972) 818-5649.