What is your patient’s mouth telling you? Common oral diseases and management
1. Gingivitis
Gingivitis is caused by plague and tartar build up on the teeth, resulting to inflammation of the gums. The mild form of this disease can be reversed with daily brushing and flossing and regular dental prophylaxis.
Management
Deep Cleaning (Scaling and Root Planing)
Use of medications such as prescription antimicrobial mouthrinse, antiseptic chip and antibiotic gel.
2. Periodontitis
When gingivitis is not treated, it can advance to inflammation around the tooth called periodontitis. Periodontitis affects 10% to 15% of the global population.
Management
Surgical treatments such as flap surgery and bone and tissue grafts
3. Dental caries or cavities
Cavities, or tooth decay, is the destruction of the tooth enamel, the hard, outer layer of the teeth. The untreated decay of the permanent teeth is prevalent, affecting over 40% of the population at all ages. In the UAE, prevalence range of 41.5 to 99.4% among preschool children.
Management
Tooth extraction if damage is extensive
Prevention is key to managing dental caries with proper dental hygiene, healthy diet and regular dental checkup.
4. Oral Cancer
Oral cancer is reported to be the eighth most common cancer worldwide, with more than 300,000 people affected annually. This is characterized by red or white patches, sores that won’t heal and rough, crusty spots. Risk factors for oral cancer include tobacco use, and human immunodeficiency viral infections. Men are twice more likely to get oral cancer than women.
Management
This condition warrants more testing or referral to a specialist.
Management of common oral diseases starts with prevention. Advice your patients to follow the 3-step regimen of brushing, flossing, and rinsing to keep their mouth healthy.