Tag Archives: tooth decay

Oral Health Pt 3: Importance of saliva

Continued from Pt 2…

Saliva and oral health

Saliva is an integral part of oral health and many people do not actually realise the importance of saliva has in our mouth. The role of saliva is often underplayed due to lack of awareness. Saliva has many important functions and it is unfortunate that most people would only realise this when they have a chronic case of xerostomia or dry mouth, which is often hard to manage as treatment available involves mainly palliative care rather than a cure.

Function of saliva

There are three major salivary glands found in the mouth, along with many more minor ones. Each of the major salivary glands produces slightly different quality of secretion, some being more watery and others with a thicker consistency. All these secretions are combined together in the mouth to form saliva.  Saliva consists of mainly water (95%), enzymes, salivary proteins and ions.  Continue reading →

How Diabetes Can Affect Your Oral Health Part 3

Continuation of Part 1 and Part 2

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Diabetes and periodontal (gum) disease

Examination of the mouth may reveal conditions common in poorly controlled diabetes. Diabetes has long been considered an important factor that influences the risk of periodontal diseases (gingivitis and periodontitis). Compared to non-diabetics, the prevalence and severity of periodontal diseases are increased in individuals with both type 1 and type 2 forms of diabetes. Individuals with diabetes are up to 3 times more likely to have gum attachment loss and bone loss than non-diabetics. For diabetics older than age 40, severity of periodontal disease increases with years of disease duration and the risk of losing all your teeth is 15 times greater in diabetic population then the non-diabetic. Continue reading →

How Diabetes Can Affect Your Oral Health Part 2

Continuation of Part 1

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A visit to the dentist

Every dental office will treat anyone having diabetes mellitus (DM). On your first visit, you will be asked to fill out a personal medical and dental history for the use of the dentist. Any critical information pertaining to diabetes should be added to the medical and dental history record, which would include information on dosage, time schedules, method of administration, previous adverse experiences with insulin control, number of hospitalizations, and physician recommendations. A good rapport with your dentist is necessary to treat any complications in your mouth.
Continue reading →

Tips to Prevent Dental Caries in Children

 

Children's smile @ www.dreamstime.com
Children’s smile @ www.dreamstime.com

 

Overview

Dental caries is also known as tooth decay. The main source of tooth decay is dental plaque. Dental plaque is a sticky white or yellowish film that always attaches to our tooth surface as we consume food. If we manage to remove plaque totally from our tooth surfaces through brushing and flossing there would be no tooth decay.  Continue reading →

Saliva Test Can Predict Tooth Decay and Drugs

Saliva collection © NIDCR

Saliva collection © NIDCR

The most important of the natural defenses against tooth decay is saliva. Saliva, the fluid that is normally present in the mouth, is produced by the salivary glands located around the mouth. A normal healthy individual can produce up to 1.5 liters of saliva per day. If salivary flow is disturbed, tooth decay can progress very rapidly. The contents of saliva can be analyzed using a  saliva test. Continue reading →