Because of the nature of their disease, diabetics are sometime more prone to common dental ailments than the rest of us.
Diabetes is one of the conditions that increase the probability of someone developing periodontal disease, or gum disease. Gum disease is often caused by gingivitis, an inflammation of the gums brought on by the presence of bacteria in plaque. Plaque is the sticky colourless film that accumulates on teeth both above and below the gum line. Without regular dental checkups, periodontal disease may result if gingivitis is left untreated. Periodontal disease causes inflammation and destruction of tissues surrounding and supporting teeth, gums, bone, and fibres that hold the gums to the teeth.
Cold Sores and Cankers
Cold sores and cankers are not the same, but they are both types of sores. Canker sores occur inside the mouth, while cold sores are generally found on or near the lips.
Bulimia Nervosa
Bulimia nervosa is an eating and psychiatric compulsive disorder characterised by a binge-purge cycle. Binge-eating episodes must occur at least twice a week for 3 months for bulimia nervosa to be diagnosed. Sufferers are usually in the normal weight range and control their weight by self-induced vomiting, periods of fasting, vigorous exercise and abuse of laxatives or diuretics.
Bad Breath (Halitosis)
An estimated 65% of Australians have bad breath. 90% of bad breath problems arise from the mouth itself, rather than poor diet or ill health.
Australians waste millions of dollars a year on over-the-counter halitosis products. Most of these are ineffective because they simply mask the problem, rather than treating the cause.
Abscessed Tooth
A dental abscess is a ‘pus-pocket’ located at the root tip of a tooth. It is caused by bacteria invading the tooth pulp. The pulp contains nerves, blood vessels and connective tissue. It lies within the tooth and extends from the crown to the tip of the root in the jawbone.
Women’s Teeth
Because of the changes they go through in life, women can experience acute dental problems. Women’s oral health problems, in many cases, can be related to surges in sex hormone levels, such as in puberty, menstruation, pregnancy, lactation, and menopause. You should consult your dentist if you notice any changes to your oral health.
Women are more likely than men to be diagnosed with TMJ problems (the temporomandibular joint is a joint that slides and rotates just in front of your ear), myofascial pain, eating disorders, and Sjogren’s Syndrome (dry mouth).
Mouth Rinses
The Therapeutic Guides Australia (TGA) classifies mouth rinses as either cosmetic or therapeutic, or a combination of both.
Cosmetic rinses are commercial over-the-counter products that help remove oral debris before or after brushing, temporarily suppress bad breath, diminish bacteria in the mouth, and refresh the mouth with a pleasant taste.
Nutrition
Dentists believe that people can prevent two of the most common oral diseases today, tooth decay and periodontal disease, by simply improving their diet.
Decay results when the hard tissues are destroyed by acid products from bacteria. Although poor nutrition does not directly cause periodontal disease, many researchers believe that the disease progresses faster and is more severe in patients whose diet does not supply the necessary nutrients. Poor nutrition can suppress your entire immune system, increasing your vulnerability to many disorders. People with lowered immune systems have been shown to be at higher risk for periodontal disease.
What is Flossing?
Flossing is a method for removing bacteria and other debris that cannot be reached by a toothbrush. It generally entails a very thin piece of synthetic cord (dental floss) you insert and move up and down between the sides of two adjoining teeth.