What is Systemic diseases

systemic disease is one that affects a number of organs and tissues, or affects the body as a whole. Although most medical conditions will eventually involve multiple organs in advanced stage, diseases where multiple organ involvement is at presentation or in early stage are considered above

Systemic diseases cause oral health

Systemic diseases are more common in older adults than in younger people, even among those who are functionally independent. Dentists should understand how these diseases can affect the dental care of their aging patients. The authors review some of the management issues associated with selected systemic diseases common in older adults who are functionally independent.

Conclusions. To provide good oral health care, dental professionals must understand the special needs of older people and their ability to undergo and respond to care; they should work closely with the rest of the health care team; and they should be prepared to manage emergencies.

Clinical Implications. Many older people have a variety of systemic diseases that have an impact on their oral health care. The dentist may need to consult with the patient’s physician to develop an appropriate treatment plan.

How does Oral Disease Relate to Systemic Disease?

Recently, we find out that a lot of research suggests a relationship between oral disease and systemic diseases (diabetes, cardiovascular disease, stroke, respiratory infections and Alzheimer disease) and other medical conditions. When the gum tissue becomes inflamed causing gingivitis to occur, inflammatory mediators called cytokines that are in the gum tissue can enter your saliva and can also become aspirated into the lungs. Bacteria that are responsible for periodontal disease can also enter the circulatory system around the teeth and travel to other parts of the body. Oral bacteria may cause secondary infections or inflammation of other tissues or organ systems in the body

How poor oral health promotes Systemic Disease?

Oral health always considered as a distinct specialty that is separate from the body as a whole, the health of the oral cavity can have wide-reaching effects on overall health. Poor oral health may occur concomitantly with a more serious underlying disease process or may predispose an individual to other health conditions. This article examines the relationship between poor oral health and increased risk for several systemic diseases, underscoring that the oral cavity and its tissues are an integral part of the human body.

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Dentine hypersensitivity (DH) is a brief, sharp, painful sensation that strikes you when you consume hot/cold, sweet/sour food or beverages. The pain can also occur when you brush your teeth or when breathing in cold air into your mouth.

Dentine hypersensitivity is a widespread problem

• Around 40% of the adults suffer from dentine hypersensitivity.
• Up to 98% of patients who undergo dental procedures are affected.
• DH occurs more often between 30 and 40 years of age and affects women more often than men.
• Patients who undergo dental procedures are 4 times more likely to develop DH.

What causes it ?

Dentine hypersensitivity is caused by a combination of enamel erosion and receding gums.

Factors leading to enamel erosion include:

• Brushing too hard with too much pressure
• Brusing immediately after meals (when your teeth is softened by acidic food or beverage)
• Eating and drinking acidic food or beverages, such as soft drink.
• Grinding your teeth during sleep

Factors leading to receding gum include:

• Poor oral hygiene which can cause gingivitis, whereby the gum is inflamed and may bleed
• Excessive brushing and flossing of teeth
• Use of hard-bristled toothbrush.

** Acidic food or beverages can “soften” or even “dissolve” the enamel of your teeth, making it susceptible to erosion caused by tooth-brushing.**

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Dental braces

Dental braces are a device used in orthodontics to align teeth and their position with regard to a person’s bite. They are often used to correct malocclusions such as under bites, over bites, cross bites and open bites, or crooked teeth and various other flaws of teeth and jaws, whether cosmetic or structural. Orthodontic braces are often used in conjunction with other orthodontic appliances to widen the palate or jaws or otherwise shape the teeth and jaws. While they are mainly used on children and teenagers, adults can also use them

Problems with Braces

Dental braces can be damaged due to not proper care with your teeth. Damaged braces mean extra cost have to spend to replace/repair damaged components and additional treatment time.

Teeth movement may cause a displacement of the end of the arch wire, which might cause serious irritation to mouth tissues.

What to do if you have problems with orthodontic braces

If you are not able to visit the orthodontist immediately when you have a  dental problem with braces, you could use the following tips to handle the problem until your appointment:

Loose brackets. Applying a small piece of orthodontic wax on the loose bracket can temporarily hold it attached to the tooth, protecting in the same time the soft mouth tissues  from being irritated by the loose bracket.

Loose bands or spacers If the band or spacer falls out, save it until your appointment. The orthodontist might be able to re-attach it back in place without having to replace it.

Protruding or broken wire. Protruding or broken wires are usually the problems that cause more discomfort. A broken wire may cause severe irritation, mouth sores or trauma to the soft tissues of the mouth such as the inner cheek. You can use an eraser end of a pencil or a spoon to move the wire to a less bothersome position. If you can’t move it or if it continues to poke on the cheek, apply a small amount of orthodontic wax for braces over the protruding arch wire end.

Caring for your brace

It’s very important you take care of your brace or it may take longer to achieve your desired result. We’ll tell you everything you need to know and you’ll also be able to buy an Orthodontic Care Kit once your new brace has been fitted.

Children should have the first dental visit within six months of the eruption of the first baby tooth and no later than their first birthday to prevent any dental problems for our child. This is so that an assessment and record can be made of your child’s dental development and do prevention to avoid dental problems. This also gives us the opportunity to discuss good oral hygiene practices at home, diet, injury prevention and possible need for fluoride supplements that caused dental problems among children. If we find cavities or other problems, these things can be taken care of early before they become a bigger problem.

Why see a pediatric dentist?

The staff at Valley Pediatric Dentistry is specifically trained to identify, treat and prevent pediatric dental conditions. With our major emphasis being placed on the total development of the child, including his/her psychological and dental well-being. Aspects of extended training include growth and development of the patient’s teeth and mouth, child psychology and treatment of the chronically ill and handicapped children. Many parents select a children’s dentist just as they would a pediatrician, to assure that their child has the benefit of this additional experience.

According to studies and researches, children are more prone to tooth decay and other oral diseases because of poor dental hygiene. Taking your kids to pediatric dentists will help cure and treat these oral health problems. Dentistry for kids will also promote good oral hygiene and your kids will be taught about the importance of maintaining a good oral hygiene. Children dentistry will also teach your kids how many times a day should they brush their teeth and the proper way to do it.

What guidelines will help children remain cavity free?

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends:

* Brush with a fluoride toothpaste twice a day (for children 2 years or older.)
* Floss children’s teeth once a day.
* Visit your pediatric or general dentist regularly.
* Get enough fluoride through drinking water, fluoride products and fluoride supplements, if necessary.
* Have sealants applied to the chewing surfaces of permanent back teeth or molars.
* Snack moderately-no more than twice a day. Try to snack on items with minimal or no sugar content.

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Smoking and dental Problems

Every body experience the dental problems during their lives. In fact, tooth decay is one of the most common diseases in children and adults. Regardless of statistics, we can see why you’d be concerned — dental problems can cause discomfort and even affect your overall health! Of course, only a dentist can diagnose your dental problem. But if you’re suffering with dental implant problems, problems with dental crowns, a broken tooth or cavities, we’ll help you understand the signs and symptoms most dental problems cause.

Besides that we know that smoking is bad for our health and caused a big dental problems to us. When you smoke, your gums become inflamed. When you quit, your inflamed gums will eventually stop being inflamed and so reduce in size (getting back to normal). This can mean you have exposed teeth with no dentyne (glossy tooth surface) which in turn can mean you have sensitive teeth, and/or exposed nerves.

If your teeth start to hurt after you have been quit for a while (took about 6 months for me) - GO AND SEE A DENTIST!

But did you know that smoking is also a major contributor to many dental problems? Cigarettes aren’t the only products only to blame. All forms of tobacco, including cigars, smokeless tobacco and hookah water pipes, pose dental health concerns.

Dental Problems Associated with Tobacco due to :-

* greatly increases the risk for oral cancer, a disease that progresses rapidly and can be deadly if not diagnosed and treated early.

* increases the risk of gum disease, which is one of the leading causes of tooth loss in adults.
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