{"id":348,"date":"2021-04-10T20:13:00","date_gmt":"2021-04-10T20:13:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.dgdental.com\/blog\/?p=348"},"modified":"2021-05-10T20:15:53","modified_gmt":"2021-05-10T20:15:53","slug":"oral-health-problems","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.dgdental.com\/blog\/oral-health-problems\/","title":{"rendered":"The Top 3 Oral Health Problems and How to Prevent Them"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), more than $124 billion is spent on oral health costs annually. This translates into 34 million hours of missed school time for the younger members of society and a $45 billion loss in productivity from adults missing work due to dental emergencies. At the root are 3 common oral health problems: cavities, gum disease and oral cancer. Continue reading to learn about them and discover what you can do to prevent<\/a> any flare-ups.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Cavities<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The enamel is the hard-outer layer of material that protects your teeth from the very dynamic environment inside your mouth. In this volatile world, leftover food and beverage particles and sugar attract bacteria. If allowed to gather, the bacteria release caustic fluids that, over time, demineralize the enamel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eventually, a cavity can develop (a tiny hole in the enamel). If untreated with a filling, the cavity will only bore deeper until it reaches the pulp area of the tooth, requiring a more complex treatment to restore your oral health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gum (Periodontal) Disease<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In a sense, cavities can serve as a gateway to gum disease, as they both are associated with poor dental care. In addition to gathering on the teeth, bacteria can also settle along the gum line, eventually working their way beneath to cause inflammation. This is referred to as gingivitis, the first stage of gum disease.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Over time, the condition can worsen, as germ pockets form and the connective tissue and bone material that hold the corresponding teeth in place can be permanently damaged. Even worse, gum disease that is ignored can lead to health issues in other parts of the body, including heart disease, stroke, and diabetes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Oral Cancer<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Each year, thousands of people are diagnosed with oral cancer, with nearly 20 percent of the cases ending fatally. If cavities can be considered as a gateway to gum disease, then the latter could certainly be viewed as a doorway to oral cancer. That\u2019s because at the helm of all three conditions is bacteria growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other factors that increase the risk of developing oral cancer are smoking and chewing tobacco and excessive alcohol consumption.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to Protect Yourself<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Thankfully, there are several steps you can take to fortify your oral health. Consider the following:<\/p>\n\n\n\n