Dental Health Health Center

Dental Health generally covers the topics of:

  • Tooth Decay, a common, preventable problem for people of all ages. Tooth decay occurs when acid produced from plaque harms teeth's enamel, which causes holes over time. These holes are called cavities and can only be fixed by dentists.
  • Gum Disease begins when plaque builds up along and under the gum line. This plaque causes infections that hurt the gum and bone that hold teeth in place. Sometimes gum disease makes gums tender and more likely to bleed, especially when brushing teeth. This is known as gingivitis and can often be fixed by daily brushing and flossing.
  • Dry Mouth, also known as xerostomia, occurs when not enough saliva, or spit, is made to keep your mouth wet. This can make it hard to eat, swallow, taste, and even speak. Dry mouth can also cause tooth decay and other infections of the mouth. Many common medicines can also cause dry mouth.
  • Oral Cancer, or cancer of the mouth can grow in any part of the mouth or throat. It is more likely to happen in people over age 40. A dental checkup is a good time for a dentist to look for signs of oral cancer. Pain is not usually an early symptom of the disease. Treatment works best before the disease spreads. Even if you have lost all your natural teeth, you should still see your dentist for regular oral cancer exams.
Reviewed by: 
Review Date: 
August 21, 2013
Last Updated:
February 26, 2014
Source:
dailyrx.com