Characteristics of Cavities Archives

Risk of Ignoring a Tooth Abscess for Your Healthy

Blog, Oral Health, Tooth Abscess·July 17, 2021July 21, 2021

Risk of Ignoring a Tooth Abscess – Tooth abscesses should not be taken lightly and must be treated immediately. Because, health problems that attack the oral cavity can trigger bad effects if you leave it for too long.

Tooth abscess is a disease that occurs due to bacterial infection and often attacks people who do not maintain good dental hygiene. This can lead to the formation of pockets or lumps filled with pus on the teeth.

A tooth abscess usually appears at the tip of the root of the tooth and causes unbearable pain. Pain that appears as a symptom of this disease is caused by pus that collects in lumps around the teeth and mouth.

A tooth abscess that is not treated properly can make the pus build up and cause the pain to get worse. Even if you know this can lead to complications in the mouth. Dental abscesses need to be addressed immediately to prevent adverse effects on the teeth and mouth.

Also Read How to Take Care of Teeth for Elderly

Risk of Ignoring a Tooth Abscess

Tooth abscesses can be very painful, and the pain may radiate to the ears and neck.

As quoted from healthline.com, there are three types of dental abscess, namely, periapical abscess that occurs at the root of the tooth, a periodontal abscess that is between the tooth and the gum. And the third, gingival abscess, occurs in the gum tissue and has no impact on the teeth or gum ligaments.

The symptoms of a tooth abscess begin with swelling and pain that get worse over night and over a few days.

In addition, symptoms can include pain when chewing or biting food, even when lying down.

Then, red and swollen face and gums, discolored or even missing teeth, bad breath, foul taste in the mouth, fever to swollen lymph nodes.

Tooth abscess can happen to anyone but is most often found in children. In addition to the annoying pain, this condition is also often characterized by several other symptoms.

This disease triggers symptoms of an increase in body temperature that causes fever, pain and sensitivity when chewing food, swelling of the face and cheeks, and redness of the mouth and face.

Tooth abscess arises because bacteria in the oral cavity spread to the soft tissues and bones of the face and neck. After infection, the bacteria will begin to enter the dental pulp through the cracks in that part.

The risk of tooth abscess increases due to various factors, including the habit of consuming foods that are too sweet and contain lots of sugar, and not maintaining good dental hygiene and health.

In a more severe level, the infection that has spread can also trigger other complications. In this case, complications due to tooth abscess can lead to sepsis, which is a deadly infection that spreads throughout the body.

Complications of a tooth abscess

If you have a tooth abscess, you should immediately get treatment from a dentist. The goal, so that the infection does not spread.

If left untreated, the infection can spread to the jaw, and other parts of the head, neck, including the brain. If a tooth abscess is left alone, there is a risk of complications that can even lead to death.

1. Oral Fistula

Oral fistula is related to the presence of an abnormal cavity or channel in the area of the tooth, which is caused by the surface of the organ experiencing inflammation (inflammation).

2. Sepsis

Sepsis is a serious medical condition where there is inflammation throughout the body caused by an infection.

3. Sinus Infection

Sinus inflection is a form of infection in the facial sinuses.

This occurs if the infection is in the upper teeth adjacent to the sinuses, as a result the sinus cavities can contain pus from the teeth.

4. Facial Swelling

A tooth abscess that has become infected and spreads to the face, will cause swelling.

This condition is classified as an emergency, because once swelling occurs in one part of the face, it will spread quickly to other parts.

5. Osteomyelitis

Osteomyelitis is a bone infection caused by microorganisms that enter the body through wounds or the spread of infection through the blood.

6. Ludwig Angina

Ludwig’s angina is a more serious condition than cellulitis due to fistulas.

Abscess due to fistula in the lower mouth that is not resolved triggers swelling that can compress the airway (larynx) causing shortness of breath and can lead to death.

Conclusion

Therefore, it is very important to always maintain the health and hygiene of the dental and oral cavity. That way, the risk of ignoring a tooth abscess can be avoided.

You can schedule a visit to the dentist every 6 months. If there are complaints of toothache before the time of the visit, you can try asking and conveying the problems that arise to the dentist.

References

Diseases that Often Occur in the Mouth

Blog, Oral Health·July 10, 2021

Diseases that Often Occur in the Mouth – Mouth and teeth are parts of the body whose function is very vital for you. In addition to other body parts, maintaining their health is no less important for you to do. If not, then there will be various diseases that will often occur in the mouth. What types of oral diseases need to be wary of?

Also Read Some Causes of Swollen and Bleeding Gums

1. Gingivitis

Gingivitis or inflammation of the gums is a condition that occurs due to poor oral hygiene, or the accumulation of tartar in your mouth. This infection will occur in the gums caused by the abundance of bacteria in the plaque and tartar. The condition will get worse and more serious if you don’t treat it properly. So it can develop into other diseases.

These things can increase the risk of gingivitis:

Your smoking habit;
You brush your teeth too vigorously;
Lack of vitamins;
Rarely clean teeth and food debris;
Using a toothbrush that does not fit the mouth;
Have diabetes mellitus;
Wearing dentures;
Abnormal hormone cycles;
Use of certain drugs;

2. Glossitis

Not only on your gums, the tongue can also experience inflammation. This inflammation of the tongue is called glossitis. What’s worse, glossitis can trigger respiratory obstruction when the tongue swells very badly.

These things can cause glossitis:

Allergic reactions to certain irritants, certain foods or medications.
Oral trauma usually by wounds.
Your mouth is dry.
Deficiency of consuming iron.
Certain other diseases.
Consumption of illegal drugs.

3. Hypersensitive Teeth

It can appear on the teeth and usually this will be marked by pain in the teeth. This condition, also known as dentin hypersensitivity, can also be experienced by older people. Because naturally due to gingival recession or gum decline. Of course, the condition of the gums is also supported by the age factor.

Hypersensitivity teeth can also occur due to:

Often eat and drink cold, sweet, and sour;
Dental bleaching procedures aka teeth whitening that is not correct;
The build-up of tartar which then triggers gum decline;
The addition of age or the factor of getting old.

4. Gum abscess

This condition is characterized by the discharge of pus from your gums (pus gums). Pus that will come out in the gums looks thick liquid that is yellow, white to slightly yellow, or it can be yellow to slightly brown. Pus can appear if there is inflammation or inflammation of the gums due to bacteria in your mouth.

This inflammation then triggers the formation of an abscess in the tooth and eventually the infection appears by spreading to the entire area of your gums. The effect will be a collection of pus that occurs in the gums. Therefore, this abscess will not heal if you leave it alone.

5. Dental Tumor

Did you know that tumors can also grow on teeth? Like tumors in other parts of the body, dental tumors are also a fairly dangerous condition. It can lead to death if not treated immediately. When you have a dental tumor, there is a fleshy growth that is like a parasite and can damage the living tissue of the teeth and mouth area.

These things can cause tooth tumors:

Pulling teeth carelessly or not with the right and unhygienic tools;
Bacteria that grow too much and quickly in the tissues around the teeth;
Lack of maintenance of your oral hygiene and teeth.

6. Dental caries

This disease, which has another name dental caries, is a type of infection that can cause damage to the structure of your teeth. The presence of dental caries will also be able to trigger cavities. This disease, if left untreated or not properly treated, can cause pain, infection, and tooth loss.

These things can increase the occurrence of dental caries:

Certain disorders that occur in the area of the teeth;
Dental anatomy that can increase the risk of caries formation;
Bacteria that breed in the mouth area;
Impaired saliva production;
certain medications, such as antidepressants and antihistamines;
Tobacco use;
Carbohydrate fermentation.

Conclusion

Such are some of the diseases that are prone to occur in your mouth. If you experience various symptoms that have been described, you must and do not hesitate to discuss them with your doctor, so that treatment can be done as soon as possible to avoid unwanted things from happening.

References

Symptoms of a Spreading Tooth Infection

Blog, Oral Health·July 7, 2021July 21, 2021

Symptoms of a Spreading Tooth Infection – Cavities that are left unchecked can lead to dental infections. If the infection is left alone, of course the infection can spread to other organs of your body. Symptoms can also interfere with your activities. These cavities are better not to be ignored. You need to recognize the symptoms of a spreading tooth infection and when is the right time to see a dentist.

Also Read Is it Important to Teaching Oral Health to Children?

What is the symptoms of a spreading tooth infection?

Basically, toothache pain comes and goes. Some people may think that having a dental check-up is something that can be postponed. Whereas if you ignore it can have an impact on a severe dental infection.

The infection can develop into a tooth abscess, which is a pus-filled lump due to a bacterial infection of the tooth. The location of the abscess can occur at the tip of the root of the tooth or the gum around the infected tooth.

Quoted from the Statpearls Publishing article, dental abscesses are caused because the teeth are not cleaned properly. Plaque buildup that causes cavities, and previous dental injuries or treatments.

Dental infections that are not treated immediately can spread to the jaw, head, neck, and throughout the body. In the end, the condition can have serious overall health effects.

Symptoms of a tooth infection you need to know :

Toothache that is unbearable, persistent, throbbing, until it spreads to the jawbone, neck, and ears
Sensitive to hot and cold temperatures
Pain when chewing or biting
Fever
Swelling of the cheeks
Swollen lymph nodes (lower jaw or neck)
If the abscess bursts, a salty and foul-smelling fluid will come out of the mouth
Shortness of breath and difficulty swallowing

If you find the above symptoms, it means that the tooth infection has started to spread. Leaving it alone can increase the risk of brain abscess, inflammation in the heart, pneumonia, and other complications.

Why do tooth infections occur?

Symptoms of a tooth infection can arise for several reasons. Usually it is cavities. Bacteria in cavities can easily enter through cavities, chips, or cracks in your teeth. This provides an avenue for bacteria to enter the deepest part of the tooth.

Bacteria enter and infect the deepest part of the tooth which is found in blood vessels, nerves, and connective tissue. These bacteria cause swelling and inflammation at the root tips, triggering other symptoms of tooth infection.

If swelling of the gums or cheeks occurs, and other symptoms arise, don’t delay going to the dentist. However, if symptoms progress to shortness of breath or difficulty swallowing, it is best to immediately go to the hospital’s emergency department. This is because it could be a sign that the infection has spread.

To treat the infection, the dentist will perform root canal treatment. This procedure is performed to remove the infection from the root of the tooth.

In the treatment of infected teeth, the dentist will also treat the gums affected by the abscess and usually follow-up treatment so that the tooth infection can be resolved.

When root treatment is not possible, the dentist will remove the infected tooth to treat the abscess.

How to avoid severe tooth infection

Self-care should not be missed, so that dental infections do not come.

Here’s a routine that you need to do to maintain healthy teeth:

Brush teeth properly twice a day
Flossing teeth at least once a day
Gargling with mouthwash / mouthwash containing essential oils, helps reduce 99.9% of germs that cause oral problems, as extra protection against cavities
Avoid consuming sugary and sticky foods or drinks, especially before you go to sleep
Regularly check with the dentist every six months

Conclusion

It is important for you to always maintain and care for your dental health. Because if you already have an infection, you inevitably have to give up quite a lot of money for treatment.

References

How to Take Care of Teeth for Elderly

Blog, Oral Health·July 3, 2021July 3, 2021

Take Care of Teeth for Elderly – Healthy teeth are everyone’s dream, including the elderly (elderly). At the age of 60 years, the condition of the body is certainly not as strong as before, especially in the teeth. Because of this concern, it is proper for the elderly to take care of their teeth in the right and appropriate way.

Teeth can fall out more easily as you get older if your parents smoked and didn’t keep your teeth clean. However, there are several other causes that in fact can also increase the risk of the elderly experiencing tooth loss.

Routine is the key to teeth and dental flossing is important to maintain oral health, especially for the elderly. In the elderly, plaque can build up quickly on the teeth, especially if your parents did not maintain good oral hygiene. Not only can this increase the risk of tooth decay, but it can also lead to gum disease which in turn can cause the elderly teeth to easily fall out.

Also Read Characteristics of Cavities That You Must Know

The risk of experiencing dental health problems in the elderly

When entering old age, one of the common elderly diseases that arise is dental and oral health problems. Some of the dental and oral health conditions that commonly occur in the elderly are:

Cavity.
Gum problems.
Loose teeth.
Oral cancer.
However, of the many problems that may arise, cavities are indeed one of the most common. It is true, the risk of experiencing this condition increases with age.

Usually, the elderly experience cavities due to dry mouth. But make no mistake, dry mouth is not part of the aging process. This condition often occurs in the elderly because of the side effects of treatment.

Yes, there are certain types of treatment for certain conditions that can cause dry mouth. For example asthma, high blood pressure (hypertension), high cholesterol, anxiety disorders, depression, Parkinson’s disease, and Alzheimer’s.

Therefore, in order to avoid various health problems in the elderly, dentists need to know the type of medicine you are using. That way, your doctor can help recommend ways to relieve the side effects of dry mouth and prevent cavities in older people’s teeth. You should know about several tips to take care of teeth for elderly incase you have someone elderly in your family.

Tips to Take Care of Teeth for Elderly

1. Restrict sweet and starch-containing foods

Elderly nurses can help prevent dental and oral disorders in the elderly by reducing or limiting sugary or starchy foods and drinks. Both are foods and drinks that can damage teeth, regardless of your age, both children and when you enter old age.

Sugar creates acid that can erode your teeth. While foods containing starch stick to the teeth and form plaque, which makes bacteria accumulate on the teeth.

In addition, avoid foods or drinks that contain artificial sweeteners such as aspartame. Because, these artificial sweeteners make you want to consume more sugar. Not to mention, consuming it can increase weight, increase the risk of diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease.

2. Keep a healthy diet

A healthy diet for the elderly will help take care of the teeth and mouth of the elderly. Be sure to add fermented foods to your diet to help balance the bacteria that live in your mouth.

Some types of fermented foods such as cheese, butter, kefir, and yogurt. You can also add other fermented foods such as kimchi, kombucha, or miso to your daily menu.

In addition, the consumption of foods that can help boost the immune system of the elderly. This will help protect you from infections and diseases of the mouth, as you get older.

Some foods that can boost immunity are garlic, coconut oil, green vegetables, spirulina, papaya, kiwi, and oranges.

3. Follow the dentist’s advice

If the elderly have had dental implants or fillings, this needs appropriate treatment to keep getting healthy teeth in old age. Do the treatment recommended by the doctor to maintain the repair of your teeth.

If your elderly wear dentures, be sure to keep them clean and follow the dentist’s special care guidelines. Just like natural teeth, dentures can last a long time if you take good care of them.

4. Go to the dentist regularly

In addition to doing dental care at home, you still have to regularly check your dentist’s teeth. The reason is, visiting the dentist regularly can help you detect dental problems that may occur. This will make it easier for the doctor to treat the dental problem immediately.

The problem is, if parents delay treatment of problematic teeth, the damage that occurs can be permanent. This means that the condition is too severe to be treated by a doctor.

When you go to the dental clinic, the doctor will examine and help clean it thoroughly. In fact, the doctor will carry out the treatment to a point that you cannot reach when cleaning it yourself. This will make the teeth, gums, and mouth of the elderly healthier.

5. Use dental floss

Brushing and flossing your teeth every day is very important to maintain oral health so that your teeth do not have problems when you reach old age. This is because plaque can build up quickly on the teeth of the elderly, especially if oral hygiene is neglected, causing tooth decay and gum disease.

Conclusion

In order to avoid dental and oral problems, the elderly who use dentures are also recommended to brush and rinse their teeth before and after soaking them in a special cleaning liquid.

Due to the decline in the function of the body’s organs, of course, dental and oral health when you reach old age need attention. Apply the tips on caring for the teeth for the elderly above so that your teeth are healthy and strong. One of the most important things, undergo regular checkups to the dentist and keep yourself from eating foods that are at risk of damaging your teeth.

References

Manual and Electric Toothbrush, Which One is The Best?

Blog, Oral Health·June 30, 2021

Manual and Electric Toothbrush – Did you know that toothbrushes come in many forms? There are regular or manual toothbrushes and there are electric ones. Although the function is the same, the two types of toothbrush have a slightly different way of working. Between manual and electric toothbrushes, which one is better?

The way manual and electric toothbrushes work is slightly different. An electric toothbrush uses electricity. So the bristles can move and rotate automatically. While manual toothbrushes must be moved and rotated by themselves using hands.

Also Read Characteristics of Cavities That You Must Know

Difference between Manual and Electric Toothbrush

Manual and electric toothbrushes both work to remove plaque and food residue on your teeth and gums. Before deciding which type of toothbrush is better, you need to first know the advantages and disadvantages of each.

1. Manual toothbrush

Manual toothbrushes are quite effective in removing plaque from your teeth. In addition, this type of toothbrush also has several advantages :

Easy to get, be it at a pharmacy, warung, or supermarket
More practical and does not need to use batteries
The price is relatively cheap
Available in many shapes and choices of bristles
Although it has advantages, manual toothbrushes also have disadvantages. In the use of this type of toothbrush, people usually tend to brush their teeth too hard, so the risk of damaging the teeth and injuring the gums.

But, brushing too hard can also erode tooth enamel or the protective layer of your teeth. Eroded tooth enamel will make your teeth look yellower and darker.

If you use a manual toothbrush, it will also make it difficult for users to know whether the duration of brushing their teeth is ideal or not. Because ideally a good brushing time is for about 1-2 minutes.

2. Electric toothbrush

Electric toothbrushes can reduce plaque by about 21% more than manual toothbrushes. In addition, the use of an electric toothbrush is also less risky for causing gingivitis.

This type of toothbrush is also good for long-term use and is effective in preventing tooth decay. Other advantages too:

Easy to use
Equipped with a timer feature that makes it easy to brush your teeth with the ideal time waktu
It has a pressure sensor feature that is able to detect when the teeth are brushed too hard.
A good choice of toothbrush for children and people with certain conditions, such as hand arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome, and people with disabilities.
It is the right choice of toothbrush for braces or stirrup users because it can make cleaning teeth easier
Makes users more focused when brushing their teeth, so the results can be maximized

Electric toothbrushes also have their drawbacks :

Less effective in the elderly in cleaning dental plaque than a manual toothbrush
The price is quite expensive and not available everywhere, especially in areas far from big cities
Not practical when used when traveling because you need to carry a spare brush head

So, Manual or Electric Toothbrush?

Whatever type of toothbrush you use, be it a manual and electric toothbrush, it will be equally effective in maintaining healthy teeth and mouth as long as it is done the right way.

Make sure you brush your teeth at least 2 times a day and for at least 2 minutes. In addition, there are several other important things that need to be considered in maintaining dental and oral health :

Avoid exchanging toothbrushes with other people.
Choose a toothbrush head that is the right size for your mouth.
Choose a toothbrush with soft, smooth bristles.
Use toothpaste that contains fluoride.

If you are confused about choosing the right type of toothbrush or have problems with your teeth and gums, don’t hesitate to consult a dentist.

References

Characteristics of Cavities That You Must Know

Blog, Cavities, Oral Health·June 28, 2021June 28, 2021

Characteristics of Cavities – Did you know? Cavities is a condition in which the tooth is damaged. Which erodes the tooth (email) to the inside of the tooth (dentin), forming a hole. Cavities are caused by bacteria in the mouth, frequent consumption of sweet foods, and poor oral hygiene.

You will usually feel cavities. Several disorders are common, both in adults and children. Therefore, you should check with the dentist. Because, it needs to be done regularly, generally cavities do not cause pain at first so they are difficult to detect. Pregnant women or children who experience cavities should immediately consult a doctor. That’s all because treatment and prevention can be different.

If your teeth are cavities and not treated immediately, the holes will enlarge, and are at risk of causing infection and decaying teeth, and tooth loss.

Also Read Some Causes of Swollen and Bleeding Gums

Characteristics of Cavities

If you want to know the characteristics of cavities, generally the symptoms that appear in each person can be different. Because it depends on the severity and location of the hole in the tooth. When your cavities are small and just forming, symptoms may not appear or be felt. However, when the condition is getting worse than usual, such as:

You will feel a toothache, especially when biting or when the tooth is pressed.
Your teeth become sensitive.
Pain when consuming sweet, cold or hot food or drinks.
There are holes that are clearly visible in your teeth.
Pain in the teeth that occurs spontaneously for no apparent reason.
There are parts of your teeth that turn white, brown, or black.

Causes of Your Cavities

If you have cavities, it is usually preceded by the presence of plaque in the mouth. Plaque comes from food residue that contains sugar, such as bread, cereal, milk, soft drinks, fruit, cakes, or candy, which is then converted by natural bacteria in the mouth into acids.

The combination of bacteria, acid, food residue in your mouth. Then the saliva, will form plaque that adheres to the teeth. The acids present in plaque slowly erode the layers of your teeth, and eventually form holes in your teeth.

In addition to the things mentioned before, you can get cavities also be caused by other things:

You do not use toothpaste containing fluoride. Fluoride is a compound that is generally contained in toothpaste, serves to maintain health and prevent tooth decay.
You eat too many sweet or sour foods or drinks.
Your mouth is very dry.
Suffering from eating disorders and acid reflux disease.
Increase in your age.
Regular use of medications, such as supplements, vitamins, or herbal products that contain sugar.
You rarely brush or floss your teeth.

What is the diagnosis of cavities looks like?

Your examination usually begins with a question and answer session, especially about the symptoms you are experiencing. The dentist will then look at the condition of the mouth and teeth. Then touch your teeth with a special tool to check for areas that are tender due to tooth decay.

Dental X-rays can also be used to check the condition of the teeth. X-rays can show damage that has occurred in the tooth, even though the damage has not been seen with the eye.

You can prevent cavities

Some things that can be done to prevent cavities are:

Brush your teeth twice a day with toothpaste that contains fluoride.
Floss your teeth at least once a day.
Use mouthwash or mouthwash after brushing your teeth.
Reduce consumption of sweet or sour foods and drinks, such as candy or fizzy drinks.
Reduce snacking habits.
If cavities are caused by a health condition, such as acid reflux disease or dry mouth, talk to your doctor about how to treat them.
Consult your dentist first before using any medications, supplements or herbal products.

You can also eat some of these foods and drink to prevent it:

Black tea or green tea without sugar/sweetener.
Drinking water containing fluoride.
Foods high in calcium, such as nuts and cheese.
Low-sugar gum containing xylitol.

Treatment of cavities

Treatment of cavities can vary, depending on the severity of the condition experienced by each patient. Some medical actions that can be taken to treat cavities

Conclusion

Cavities will cause pain, especially if the condition gets worse. For that we recommend you to come to the nearest dental clinic so that the doctor can treat you properly. You can also visit our clinic at 99Dentist and make online appointments during this pandemic.