The Year in Review
NOW THAT 2011 will end in a few weeks, let us review some important facts I examined during the year. Remember, dental care is by far the single most expensive service in terms of routine healthcare. An important key to mitigating this situation is basic knowledge of dentistry.

Dental caries (tooth decay) and gum disease are the two most common oral health problems in human beings.
Tooth decay is caused by bacteria which are normally present in the mouth and sticking to the teeth in a concentrated form with the help of a thin slimy layer called dental plaque.
When an individual takes food with fermentable sugars and some starches, the germs in the plaque start to make acid, which produces cavities in the tooth’s enamel.
Whenever dental plaque is allowed to accumulate, it may harden to form calculus (tartar).
Calculus gradually penetrates beneath the gum to cause a chronic condition called periodontitis (gum disease) which is characterised by bleeding gums, bad breath, deep pockets around the involved teeth with eventual mobility (shaking).
A healthy mouth can be assured by brushing each tooth for at least one minute a day with a fluoridated toothpaste; flossing daily; eating a balanced diet; avoiding sugary foods between meals; and visiting the dentist every three months.
Bad breath is mainly caused by the excessive concentration of bacteria in the mouth which occurs in gum disease, tooth decay, and stagnated saliva in cases of fever and “morning breath”.
The cure for bad breath consists of extractions, if any; fillings, if any; scaling and polishing, if needed; followed by the rules as stated in number six above.

The treatment for discoloured teeth depends on whether the stain is external or internal. External stains, such as those derived from tobacco, are removed by polishing with an abrasive, while intrinsic discolourations, which in fact pervade the very structure of the tooth, may be eliminated by bleeding or capping.

In these days of modern dentistry, there is no justification for the patient to be fearful of dental treatment, as every procedure is virtually painless. Indeed, any existing inhibition could never exculpate the consequences of neglecting to visit the dentist.

Nearly a dozen oral diseases may result in death. The fatal situations usually occur when bacteria and their poisons emanate from infected roots (‘stumps’) and invade the brain.

Cancer of the mouth due to smoking is an important cause of death among adult men.

Oral manifestations frequently represent the first signs of AIDS. These signs include white areas anywhere in the mouth, “hairy” patches on the tongue, red to purple spots on the insides of the cheek or on the palate, and red, swollen and painful gums (acute gingivitis) despite good oral hygiene.

The extraction of a tooth should always be followed soon (at least two weeks) after by its artificial replacement (prosthesis). If not, dental migration (movement to open or close the gap), extrusion (lenghtening of the one opposite due to the absence of contact) and bone re-absorption would take place. These circumstances make it difficult or impossible for the patient to be fitted with adequate dentures.

Whether as an individual, a community, or a nation, it is definitely cheaper and more effective to achieve a good oral health status through the principles of prevention.