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Oral Ailments and Their Symptoms

For those who take pride in their oral hygiene and visit the dentist at least once a year, knowing that something is wrong with your teeth or mouth might be easier to discover, even if it’s harder to accept. Uncommon pain in the teeth and gums, as well as soreness in the jaw, can be the first signs of a larger problem. It is those people who practice poor habits and don’t make it to the dentist’s office who might have a harder time knowing something is wrong. Without a habit of coming in for cleanings and check-ups, small inconveniences can turn into big problems, while ailments that start big aren’t discovered early enough to take crucial steps to treatment.

One of the biggest culprits of dirty teeth and oral disease is smoking. One might remember the old anti-smoking slogan “the best way to quit is never to start.” When it comes to keeping one’s mouth clean and as free from disease as possible, the advice from oral hygienists all over the country echoes something similar; that is, the idea that the best way to treat the most common problems is for kids to form good tooth care habits early. This is the mission of everyone who works in children’s dental care in Utah.

The Most Common Oral Diseases

It is the mission of every pediatric dentistry to help spread the word on the most common and communicable oral diseases (as well as the symptoms one should watch out for) so that kids and parents everywhere feel armed with knowledge. By knowing what can happen, kids can exercise enough tooth care to prevent or treat the worst of it. 

TOOTH DECAY

The most common oral disease in the world and the culprit of most unplanned pediatric dentistry visits, cavities are no laughing matter. A result of bacteria in the mouth breaking down the enamel of the tooth by feeding on sugar, tooth decay affects hundreds of millions of people every year in the United States. 

  • Symptoms
      • Constant localized pain
      • Swollen gums
      • Gray or brown spots appearing on the teeth
      • Ultra-high, painful sensitivity when talking, chewing, or touching 
  • Treatment

The bacteria must be removed from the mouth, either by scraping or drilling away the affected area completely. If the rot proceeds into the pulpy flesh of the tooth, a root canal or possibly a full extraction might be necessary.

ORAL CANCER

By far the most feared of the oral ailments, cancer can be discovered early by asking the dentist for a screening. In families with a history of oral cancer, informing the pediatric dentist is a good way for the doctor to stay abreast of the children’s dental care whenever they come in for a visit.

  • Symptoms
      • Swollen lymph nodes
      • Red or white sores which become worse over time
      • Consistent, pervasive bleeding
      • Difficulty swallowing
  • Treatment

As with all other forms of cancer, treatments range from medication to radiation or chemotherapy.

HALITOSIS

Most widely known as chronic bad breath, halitosis can be caused by a number of things, from respiratory tract infections to old food getting caught in tooth recesses. It is also a side-effect of periodontitis and gingivitis.

  • Symptoms
      • Dry mouth
      • Metallic taste in the mouth
      • Excess oral mucous
      • Putrid breath
  • Treatment

While not life-threatening, halitosis will bring no end to social insecurity if it goes untreated. Luckily, the treatment is as easy as remembering the lessons dentists have been trying to teach children about dental care in Utah for decades: be diligent with brushing, flossing, and mouthwash, and visit your dentist often.

PERIODONTITIS

Also known as gum disease, periodontal issues can occur when brushing and flossing stops being part of a person’s daily routine. It can affect anyone, and those working in pediatric dentistry will be able to tell quickly whether the kids are practicing good tooth care or not.

  • Symptoms
      • Bleeding gums after flossing or brushing
      • Chronic mouth sores
      • Swollen gums
      • Localized pain in the mouth
  • Treatment

Because this is caused by a buildup of plaque, a visit to the dentist for a complete clean remains the best way to treat periodontal disease. 

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