Ask the average Nigerian adult when last
he saw a dentist, and he’s very likely to give you a puzzled look. Never
mind, the truth is that the average Nigerian doesn’t see the dentist as
an important personality who could play a decisive role in his overall
wellbeing.
When there are dental problems that
should be seen by the dentist, most people prefer the so-called home
treatment such as gaggling with salt water; or administering some
unorthodox measures that are more likely to cause extensive damage to
the mouth.
And when it becomes imperative to see the
doctor, the dentist is still the last person to think about. In their
estimation, any doctor can treat any ailment; so, off to the general
practitioner they go! Yet, physicians tell us that the health risks that
come with adult periodontitis are incalculable and could lead to loss
of life in its extreme.
What are the health risks of teeth issues? Read on…
Stroke
According to a dentist, Dr. Goke Samuel,
the growth of bacteria in the mouth is usually a precursor to gingivitis
(gum inflammation), or periodontitis — an inflammation around the
tooth, which causes serious gum infection that damages the soft tissue
and bone that supports the tooth.
Samuel explains that inflammation of the
gum can lead to bleeding when you brush your mouth. The problem can
progress rapidly if neglected, leading to dental caries and eventual
tooth loss. But beyond this, he warns, the infection that causes
gingivitis could also be a secondary factor in ischemic stroke.
Indeed, a group of German scientists
conclude that “periodontal disease, a treatable condition, is an
independent risk factor for cerebral ischemia (a condition in which
there is insufficient blood flow to the brain to meet metabolic demand)
in men and younger subjects.”
The scientists note that bacteria from
periodontal pockets can enter the bloodstream during activities such as
chewing or tooth brushing, wreaking havoc on the body system as a
result.
Respiratory infections
Samuel says plaque build-up is an avenue
for those whose mouth are infected with bacteria to inhale the bacteria
from the mouth and throat — a situation that can lead to developing
pneumonia.
Needless to say, pneumonia is a killer if it is not attended to with the urgency it deserves.
Heart attack
Physicians warn that those who have adult
periodontitis risk being diagnosed with cardiovascular disease because
of possible clotting as a result of the presence of bacteria in their
mouth.
A spokeswoman for the American Dental
Association, Dr. Sally Cram, recalls that “There are a lot of studies
that suggest that oral health, and gum disease in particular, are
related to serious conditions like heart disease.”
Indeed, experts at the American Academy
of Periodontology warn that people with gum disease “are almost twice as
likely to have heart disease.”
Another scientific study found that “the
presence of common problems in the mouth, including gum disease
(gingivitis), cavities, and missing teeth, were as good at predicting
heart disease as cholesterol levels.”
To save yourself from heart attack, therefore, raise the level of your oral care.
Severe loss of bone mass
Generally, ageing does lead to loss of
bone mass — a leading cause of osteoporosis. However, scientists warn
that reduction in bone mass (osteopenia) is also associated with gum
disease and subsequent teeth loss.
A Director of Epidemiology Division at
Boston University School of Dental Medicine, Prof. Elizabeth Krall, says
bone mass loss is a central, common feature of both periodontal disease
and osteoporosis.
She intones, “In periodontal disease,
oral inflammation due to chronic infection of the tissue around the
teeth results in destruction of oral bone and periodontal ligament;”
adding, “Both osteoporosis and periodontal disease become more prevalent
with advancing age, and individuals with a family history are at higher
risk.”
Premature delivery
Sometimes when a woman experiences
repeated premature deliveries, the tendency is to query all possible
reasons except oral health. Yet, international researchers warn that
women with advanced gum disease may be more likely to deliver an
underweight or preterm baby!
Indeed, a consultant gynaecologist, Dr.
Grace Anyaebe, says clinical studies show that oral microbes such as
streptococci, lactobacilli, staphylococci, and corynebacteria can cross
the placental barrier and expose the unborn baby to infection.
Indeed, as scary as it sounds, registered
dental hygienists estimate that the number of bacterial species in the
mouth range between 500 and 650 different species.
“They live on the teeth and tongue, as well as in the cheeks and oral mucosa (the moist lining of the mouth),” says Samuel.
He assures that you can inhibit bacterial
growth by brushing your teeth and tongue twice daily. This isn’t
difficult to achieve, I suppose.
Benefits of dental exam
• Head and neck — Your dentist
will look for any problems on the exterior surface of your head and
neck, as well as feel for any swelling or tenderness (which are signs of
an infection or disease) in your lymph nodes and salivary glands in
your neck area. He will also examine your temporomandibular joint to
determine if it is working properly.
• Soft tissue — The soft tissues
of your mouth include the tongue, inside of the lips and cheeks, and the
floor and roof of the mouth. Your dentist will examine these areas for
spots, lesions, cuts, swellings, or growths that could indicate an oral
health problem. He will also inspect the back of your throat and tonsil
area.
• Gum tissue — Your dentist will
examine your gums and supporting structures of the teeth. He will look
for signs of gum disease, which include red or puffy gum tissue and
tissue that easily bleeds when gently poked. If he determines you have
gum disease, he might send you to a periodontist.
• Occlusion —Your dentist will
check how well your upper and lower teeth come together. Your dentist
might simply look at how your teeth meet, or he might take wax
impressions of your teeth if a more careful exam of ‘your bite’ is
necessary.
• Clinical examination of teeth —
Your dentist will check for signs of tooth decay by examining the
surface of every tooth. He will likely poke your teeth with a dental
instrument, called an explorer, to look for cavities. (Decayed enamel
feels softer when poked, compared to healthy enamel.) He will also check
for any problems with fillings, braces, bridges, dentures, crowns, or
other restorations.
• X-rays — Your dentist will take X-rays to look for signs of tooth decay, as well as for gum disease and other oral health problems.
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