Disorders of Human Teeth
.
The three main diseases of human teeth are tooth decay, also called dental caries; gum disease, or periodontal disease; and problems with tooth alignment, called malocclusions. Human teeth problems are treated or prevented by dentists, professionals who are specially trained to practice dentistry.
Tooth decay affects approximately 90 percent of all children by the time they are 14 years old. Tooth decay begins when bacteria are passed from mothers or caregivers to children between their first and second birthdays. When these bacteria are exposed to sugars commonly found in foods, the bacteria produce harmful acids that attack tooth enamel. Left unchecked, the acid eats holes in the enamel and forms cavities of tooth decay. Most tooth decay forms in the deep grooves on the chewing surfaces of the molars, called pits and fissures. Daily tooth brushing and proper dental care help prevent and reduce tooth decay. Dentists use preventive treatments to reduce the risk of tooth decay; clear plastic coatings painted on the teeth, called dental sealants, and applications of the mineral fluoride, which fortifies tooth enamel, are two such treatments.
Gum disease, or periodontal disease, is a progressive condition that worsens with age. Gum disease occurs when bacteria eat away at gum tissue, causing it to pull away from the teeth. This space between the tooth and gum, called a periodontal pocket, traps even more bacteria. Gum disease develops in two stages. Gingivitis, the early stage, causes red, swollen gums that bleed easily. Gingivitis can be eliminated through good oral hygiene and dental care. If not treated, gingivitis can progress to periodontitis, when bacteria attack the bone supporting the teeth. To treat periodontitis, dentists may have to surgically cut out the infected portion of the gum so the bacteria can be removed.
Malocclusions—teeth that are crowded, crooked, or out of alignment—make it more difficult to clean teeth, which can lead to other oral health problems such as tooth decay and gum disease. Many of these disorders start to appear between the ages of 6 and 12, when permanent teeth begin to erupt. Generally, malocclusions result when the jaw is too small to hold all of the teeth. Malocclusions are often genetic, tending to run in families. In other cases, dental injury or chronic thumb sucking may lead to poorly aligned teeth. Malocclusions are treated by dentists specially trained to correct them, called orthodontists.
The three main diseases of human teeth are tooth decay, also called dental caries; gum disease, or periodontal disease; and problems with tooth alignment, called malocclusions. Human teeth problems are treated or prevented by dentists, professionals who are specially trained to practice dentistry.
Tooth decay affects approximately 90 percent of all children by the time they are 14 years old. Tooth decay begins when bacteria are passed from mothers or caregivers to children between their first and second birthdays. When these bacteria are exposed to sugars commonly found in foods, the bacteria produce harmful acids that attack tooth enamel. Left unchecked, the acid eats holes in the enamel and forms cavities of tooth decay. Most tooth decay forms in the deep grooves on the chewing surfaces of the molars, called pits and fissures. Daily tooth brushing and proper dental care help prevent and reduce tooth decay. Dentists use preventive treatments to reduce the risk of tooth decay; clear plastic coatings painted on the teeth, called dental sealants, and applications of the mineral fluoride, which fortifies tooth enamel, are two such treatments.
Gum disease, or periodontal disease, is a progressive condition that worsens with age. Gum disease occurs when bacteria eat away at gum tissue, causing it to pull away from the teeth. This space between the tooth and gum, called a periodontal pocket, traps even more bacteria. Gum disease develops in two stages. Gingivitis, the early stage, causes red, swollen gums that bleed easily. Gingivitis can be eliminated through good oral hygiene and dental care. If not treated, gingivitis can progress to periodontitis, when bacteria attack the bone supporting the teeth. To treat periodontitis, dentists may have to surgically cut out the infected portion of the gum so the bacteria can be removed.
Malocclusions—teeth that are crowded, crooked, or out of alignment—make it more difficult to clean teeth, which can lead to other oral health problems such as tooth decay and gum disease. Many of these disorders start to appear between the ages of 6 and 12, when permanent teeth begin to erupt. Generally, malocclusions result when the jaw is too small to hold all of the teeth. Malocclusions are often genetic, tending to run in families. In other cases, dental injury or chronic thumb sucking may lead to poorly aligned teeth. Malocclusions are treated by dentists specially trained to correct them, called orthodontists.
Comments