Common Oral Conditions That Often Go Undiagnosed/Untreated

Oral diseases can affect every aspect of your life and many often go untreated. Just like any other disease, it is important to have early detection as well as treatment of oral conditions to stop any poor effects not only on your oral health but also the overall wellness on the rest of your body. Leaving conditions untreated can lead to pain, infections, anxiety, disrupt your sleep, affect how you eat, etc. 

One of the best ways to protect your mouth is prevention! Maintaining good home care to keep your mouth and teeth healthy as well as regular visits to the dentist for check ups and cleanings. Seeing the dentist/hygienist regularly allows them to make sure you don’t have dental problems, remove any unhealthy buildup and reduce your risk of dental decay and gum disease.

Here are a few of the most common oral conditions to be aware of:

Tooth Decay

Tooth decay (dental caries) is the most common health condition in the world. Even though cavities are largely preventable, they remain the number one chronic disease among Canadians.

It is caused by unhealthy diets high in sugar as well as exposure to other risk factors. When tooth decay is left untreated, it can lead to more severe problems such as tooth loss or infection. See your dentist if you have any signs of decay to make sure to treat it early. Signs of tooth decay include:

• Black, brown, or white spots on the teeth
• Holes in the teeth
• Sensitivity to hot, cold, or sweet foods and drinks
• Pain when biting or chewing

Gum Disease

Gum or Periodontal disease is an infection of the tissues around the teeth, usually caused by plaque buildup due to poor oral hygiene. Gingivitis is a common and mild form of gum disease. 32% of Canadian adults (20-79 years of age) have gingivitis. It is important to take gingivitis seriously and treat it promptly because if left untreated it will often progress into periodontitis. 

Gum disease can be hard to recognize in its early stages, as it develops slowly without any real pain. Some signs to watch for include gums that become red, swollen, irritated, and often bleed easily. Gingivitis can be prevented and/or reversed by maintaining good oral hygiene practices. The longer plaque and tartar are left on the teeth, the more harmful they become.

Bruxism

Bruxism is a condition in which you grind, gnash or clench your teeth. If you have bruxism, you may unconsciously clench your teeth when you’re awake (awake bruxism) or clench or grind them during sleep (sleep bruxism). This condition is most commonly caused by stress and anxiety, and because most teeth grinding occurs involuntarily at night, many patients are unaware that they are doing it, leaving it to go undiagnosed. Over time however, it can result in substantial visible wear and flattening of the teeth. In some people bruxism can be frequent and severe enough to lead to jaw disorders, headaches, damaged teeth and other problems. This is another condition that can be caught early with regular dental checkups. 

 

Regular Dental Checkups

Good oral hygiene and preventative dental care are the best ways to preserve your oral and overall health. It is important to see your dentist on a regular basis for a routine examination and cleaning. If you notice a change in your oral health, including experiencing symptoms listed in this article, make sure to book an appointment with your dentist as soon as possible. That way possible issues can be caught early on before they become a bigger problem.

If you would like to book your next appointment with us, contact us today.

 

Sources

https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/oral-diseases-conditions/oral-cancer.html

http://www.cda-adc.ca/en/oral_health/index.asp#prevention

https://caphd.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/CHMS-E-summ.pdf