4 hidden oral problems
Most of us face dental problems from time to time. This situation is very unpleasant: if you do not go to the dentist in time, severe pain and inflammation are guaranteed. However, there are other oral pathologies that are less noticeable than decayed teeth. Such diseases also pose serious problems and can significantly reduce the quality of life.
This article focuses on those dental problems that we sometimes do not notice.
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Basal caries
Pathology is characterized by a flaw in the hard tissues of the zone where the upper (coronal) part of the tooth passes into the root. If a person does not thoroughly or improperly brush his teeth, food debris and plaque accumulate in this place - a favorable environment for pathogens. In addition, the root layer of the enamel is thin and prone to rapid abrasion.
At first, the lesion is a small white spot covered with gum tissue. It does not cause any inconvenience, but after a few weeks the enamel may collapse. At this stage, a painful reaction to sweet and cold appears. If you do not take action, the tooth will continue to decay, and in the case of root caries, the process very quickly passes to the neurovascular bundle and pulpitis develops. Basal caries is dangerous precisely because tooth decay occurs rapidly, and only a dentist can notice the onset of a pathological process with a thorough examination of the oral cavity.
Neoplasms inside the gums
Among the neoplasms that affect the gum tissue, the most common are granulomas and cysts, which are formed as a result of a neglected inflammatory process.
A granuloma is a cavity located at the root of a tooth and filled with dead cells. The cause of its development is usually untreated or insufficiently cured apical periodontitis (inflammation of the ligamentous apparatus of the tooth in the area of the apical foramen - the place where the nerve enters the root of the tooth). Moreover, a capsule is formed at the root of the tooth, which protects the bone tissue of the jaw from the effects of pathogenic microorganisms. The average diameter of a granuloma is from 5 to 8 mm.
A cyst is also a cavity, but filled with fluid or pus. It is formed as a result of infection in the gum tissue during treatment or with complicated teething (wisdom tooth cyst). The occurrence of cysts is also facilitated by injuries accompanied by damage to the jaw bones. The cavity of the cyst can reach significant sizes (up to several centimeters in diameter).
The danger of neoplasm is associated primarily with asymptomaticity. A granuloma or cyst can be located in the gum tissue for years without showing itself in any way. Often, these structures are discovered by chance, during an X-ray examination for another reason. Meanwhile, the situation could escalate at any moment. A cavity with pus with a weakening of immunity (for example, due to a cold) can provoke the development of an inflammatory process in the periosteum (periostitis, or flux). Quite often, a cyst or granuloma of the upper jaw becomes the cause of purulent sinusitis. In addition, the slowly growing neoplasm presses on the adjacent teeth, which leads to their loss, and sometimes to serious damage to the jaw bones.
Periodontal disease
The disease affects the tissues surrounding the teeth in the jaw (periodontium), causing them to atrophy, that is, gradual destruction without signs of inflammation. The cause of periodontal disease has not yet been clarified, but among the risk factors, experts note a hereditary predisposition, decreased immunity, hormonal disorders, injuries of the jaws and gums, abnormal bite, improper treatment and dental prosthetics.
Periodontal disease is extremely common: in our country, about 90% of adults are affected by it to one degree or another. Usually it is manifested by a decrease in gum tissue, exposure of the root of the teeth, which leads to discomfort when chewing, painful reaction to cold and hot. The gradual destruction of the periodontal tissue leads to loosening, and then to the loss of teeth.
Enamel "pearls"
Sometimes on the teeth a kind of enamel deposits ("pearls") are formed. They can be located on the coronal part, in the pulp chambers or on the roots of the teeth. Dentists believe that in the last two cases, such structures should be removed, even if they do not cause any inconvenience to the patient. The fact is that "pearls" are capable of provoking the development of caries and pulpitis. According to some reports, the presence of enamel deposits on the teeth may indicate a tendency to develop periodontal disease.
The most obvious ways to keep your teeth and gums healthy are through good oral hygiene and regular visits to your dentist - at least every six months. It is necessary to understand that any discomfort may indicate the presence of pathology. If you find bleeding, swelling or redness of the gums, discoloration or sensitivity of the teeth, bad breath, you should immediately consult a doctor.
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Maria Kulkes Medical journalist About the author
Education: First Moscow State Medical University named after I. M. Sechenov, specialty "General Medicine".
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