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< Return to the Learning Centre
Oral Health Problems
Most of us brush our teeth twice a day, and understand the need for a good oral health routine. However, dental disease is the most common disease in the world with 99% of the UK population suffering from decay, and 95% suffering from gum problems at some stage in their lives.
Faced with these staggering facts you'll probably want to know a little more about the causes of dental disease and how, with help from Wisdom and your dentist, you can take steps to avoid these problems.
Plaque
Tartar
Plaque and tooth decay
Plaque and gum disease
Dental erosion
Bad breath (Halitosis)
Plaque
The starting point for tooth decay and gum disease is plaque - a thin, sticky substance that forms naturally on all teeth and if it is not regularly removed it can hide along the gum line.
Plaque contains bacteria which react with the sugars and starches in our daily diet to form acids which are harmful to teeth.
Fortunately, you can remove plaque yourself by brushing your teeth regularly.
If plaque isn’t regularly removed it will attach to teeth, and will eventually calcify into a hard substance called tartar.
Tartar
Generally yellow to white, tartar forms mostly on the inside of the lower front teeth close to the gums. Unlike plaque, tartar cannot be removed by brushing and only your dentist or hygienist has the proper instruments to remove it. As well as looking unsightly, the rough surface of tartar is a haven where further plaque can build up.
Plaque and tooth decay
Tooth decay is the result of combining the following three factors:
- Teeth
- Bacteria
- Sugar
Plaque forms naturally over all tooth surfaces. If not removed regularly, the plaque bacteria produce acids, which eat into the tooth's protective enamel surface. Eventually, holes or cavities appear through which the plaque acids attack the softer layer of the tooth (dentine) causing serious decay. If not attended to by your dentist the tooth can eventually be lost.
Plaque and gum disease
Also known as periodontal diseases, gum disease is very common, and is now accepted as more of a major cause for concern than tooth decay. There are 3 stages of Gum disease, and the first stage is called Gingivitis. If you were to go without brushing your teeth for two weeks, you would start to see the beginning signs of this infection.
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Stage 1 - Gingivitis
Plaque hides along the gum line, where the tooth meets the gum. If it is not removed it produces acids, which irritate and inflame the gums. At this early stage gum disease can be difficult to detect, but you may notice bad breath, and red, swollen gums which bleed easily when brushed. Gingivitis is less severe than periodontal disease as there is no permanent damage to the tooth attachment. Gingivitis is benign and you can reverse the effects by better plaque removal to have a complete recovery.
Stage 2 - Periodontal Disease
If plaque is allowed to accumulate further, gingivitis can slowly move into the first stages of periodontal disease.
The plaque hardens into tartar where further bacteria can hide to attack the gums.
Over time the gums recede to expose the bone and tissue which hold the teeth in place. Periodontal disease is severe and leads to permanent damage to gum tissue.
Stage 3 - Advanced Periodontal Disease
This is the advanced stage of Periodontal Disease and when you will experience the most pain. Due to the severe gum recession teeth that will become loose and painful. Tooth loss is highly likely and even the use of dental implants may not be possible.
Dental erosion
This is a gradual attack on tooth enamel that is caused by acid wearing down the tooth surface. This acid can come from fizzy drinks and fruit juices. Dental erosion can effect all ages but particularly effects children when teeth are still developing.
Bad breath (Halitosis)
Persistent bad breath is not caused necessarily by strong flavoured or fragrant food smells coming up from the stomach but by gasses present in the mouth.
These gasses are VSC’s (Volatile Sulphur Compounds) and are created by the process of bacteria breaking down proteins in the mouth. These bacteria are located on the back of the tongue and in gingival pockets.
Bad breath can also be caused by poor general and oral health and in severe cases should be treated by your dentist.