Over time as individuals age and are faced with access to care issues they may begin to neglect their oral health. As time passes between dental hygiene cleanings or dentist visits the presence of oral disease may begin to increase. Gingivitis is the beginning stage of oral disease. Gingivitis is inflammation of the gingiva. The lack of good oral hygiene can lead to gingivitis. Gingivitis can be painful and result in gums at are red, swollen, and prone to bleeding. With proper oral hygiene for a period of time gingivitis can be reversed. Periodontal disease is an infection of the gingiva and alveolar bone. Periodontal disease increases in prevalence and severity as people age. Periodontal disease is precursored by gingivitis. Periodontal …show more content…
The inflammatory response is a nonspecific response to cellular injury and bacterial invasion. Inflammation is the primary defense in early gingivitis. Biofilm can initiate an inflammatory response if it is left undisturbed for as little as seventy two hours. Redness and swelling are two of the cardinal signs of inflammation and can be observed clinically in gingivitis. Histamine is released by mast cells and responsible for the redness and swelling of tissues. Histamine causes both an increase in vascularity and permeability of blood vessels at the site of injury. Swelling may occur in response to the accumulation of fluid at a specific site. The inflammatory response includes cellular components of the immune system polymorphonuclear leukocytes and macrophages. Polymorphonuclear leukocytes are crucial to the cellular immune response. Polyporphonuclear leukocytes are the first cells that arrive at an inflammatory site. Polymorphonuclear leukocytes arrive at the site via chemotaxis, and begin to phagocytize bacteria. As the disease continues and the inflammatory reaction is not strong enough to subside the bacterial infection the immune response is further
Periodontal disease is the inflammation of the structures that support the teeth. This disease is the primary loss of teeth in dogs. It is caused by a build-up of dental plaque on the surfaces of the teeth and around the gums. Bacteria can accumulate in the dental plaque and irritate the gum tissue which leads to the infection of the bone that surrounds the teeth. Some effects of the disease include: bad breath, bleeding gums, oral pain, dropping food from mouth while eating and loss of appetite. In severe cases the teeth may become loose and fall out.
According to the American Dental Association, gum disease, also referred to as periodontal disease, occurs when the tissues that support and surround your teeth become infected. Many people are unaware they even have gum disease, because it isn’t a painful disease. Periodontal disease is caused by a film of sticky bacteria called plaque forming on the teeth.
Dentistry as a profession over the years has evolved rapidly in light of new scientific evidence. Rapidly evolving science and technology have implemented changes within dentistry as evidenced by new standards and guidelines being produced by nationally recognised associations including National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE), Faculty of General Dental Practice (FGDP) and Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN) in Scotland, in provision of new scientific evidence. The latest standards and guidelines produced, endorse everyday clinical practice through evidence based dentistry (REF). All dental professionals as part of continued professional development are expected to keep to date on relevant guidelines and knowledge related to their practice (REF). This is supported by the General Dental Council who state all clinicians must maintain their professional knowledge and competence throughout their working career (REF).
Every human has microbiomes that are personalized for the individual and are extremely important to maintaining a good health standing, however, these microbiomes can be capable of contracting a disease. One of the most common areas for these microbiomes to contract something that could be harmful to the person’s health is called the oral microbiomes, which are found in the mouths of humans. Within the biofilms of the oral cavity, rests these oral microbiomes that maintain a healthy equilibrium in the mouth. However, if not taken care of properly, oral microbiomes can be taken over by a pathogen that can quickly turn the state of the person’s mouth from a healthy equilibrium to a very unhealthy equilibrium (1). Some bacteria found in the oral cavity can be an extremely danger.
Not only do they face the obvious challenges with their memory but also often have diminished physical ability and when one adds the possibility of xerostomia from medication it only makes the situation worse. Dental professionals should strive to do the best they can to help all people. Practicing dentistry should not be limited to the people who can take care of themselves. It is clear that people are living longer in the world today and with that comes mental and physical deficits. Oral health care does not become less valuable because a person suffers from life threatening diseases, it should continue to maintain its importance. Many of the problems our geriatric population face can be linked directly to lack of proper nutrition and loss of joy from being able to eat certain foods. Furthermore, oral diseases can cause the manifestation of systemic ailments that ultimately will lead to certain health decline. If people do not consider oral hygiene a priority then it is up to Dental professionals to convince them and encourage them to take responsibility. The general populous has neglected the geriatric population, but health care providers seem to be at the forefront by keeping them in focus. Dental health care providers have a duty to be apart of our older populations
Healthcare is a necessity to sustain society. Dentistry is an area of healthcare that I feel extremely passionate about because access to proper dental care is limited, especially in the underserved communities. As an African American, I want to become a dentist and healthcare provider in the hopes of helping patients and adding to the diversification of the field. With a growing minority population in the United States, it has become apparent that there is a shortage of black dentists. This is problematic because underrepresented minorities are in great need of access to culturally connected dentists who understand their clinical needs as much as their lives and their challenges. I believe that when the profession includes a range of ethnicities
Oral Mucositis: Inflammation and ulceration of oral mucous membranes can increase pain, cause infection, and impair nutritional
A good dental hygiene is very important for everybody no matter the age. A clean mouth will help us to stay more immune to infection and other risks that periodontitis can cause. Remember to take the time to brush and floss your teeth properly every day to keep your teeth and gums healthy. It is never too early or too late to begin taking care of your
In the Dental Hygiene field, many challenges come about every day and during different situations. Every day there are new challenges and unusual situations that occur in the dental field, but one challenge that continues to come about and has been a big dispute over the years is the ability to provide beneficial information about oral health care for the underprivileged. For the individuals that are not fortunate enough to pay to have services done in the dental office, lack the knowledge of how important good oral health care is. They do not receive the one on one conversations explaining the significance of taking care of your teeth and gums that the patients who can afford to make appointments and receive essential services do. That
Stop Cessation: Tobacco use is a significant risk factor for development of periodontitis. Smokers are seven times more likely to get periodontitis than nonsmokers,
Good oral hygiene and regular dental visits is an important part of diabetes care along with regular appointments with your medical health care professional. As health care providers, it is important for us to recognize signs and symptoms of disease, not only oral disease but oral manifestations of systemic disease. We can help prevent diabetes complications by encouraging people with diabetes to maintain routine dental care and consistent and proper glycemic control.
Dental professionals should promote a message that a strong biologic connection exists between oral and systemic health. Therefore, having a good understanding of oral health and systemic health is beneficial and can help you protect yourself. Streptococcus mutants, the bacteria found in periodontal infection are also the bacteria found in many of the cardiovascular diseases. This establishes a strong relationship between these two conditions.
The Connection Between High Blood Sugar Levels and Periodontal Disease. Saliva contains glucose; therefore, if you have uncontrolled diabetes, the amount of glucose present in your saliva is elevated. We naturally have somewhere between 200 to 300 bacterial species in our mouths: Some of these bacteria are good and some of them are bad. Streptococcus mutans is typically the bacterium responsible for causing tooth decay; whereas, periodontal disease is usually caused by a mixture of Porphyromonas gingivalis and Treponema denticola. Elevated glucose levels assist the harmful bacterias, Porphyromonas gingivalis and Treponema denticola, by providing the substance necessary to produce the acid that combines with our saliva to form the soft, sticky film referred to as plaque.
Introduction: In Canada, general dental health is not part Canada’s national system of health insurance (Medicare) (1) except for some dental surgical procedures that are performed at hospitals. Since Oral health does not come under the Health Act about ninety-five percent of the oral health care services are offered on a fee-for-service basis. Oral health care is under provincial or territorial jurisdiction like other health care services and publically financed dental care programs provide the remaining five percent of oral health care services (2). Thus, majority of Canadians receive oral health via privately owned dental clinics. Privately owned dental care gives these services providers control over dental service charges, types of available treatment for the patients and number of follow-up appointment for treatments or routine care. Service users pay for the dental expenses from their own pockets or utilize insurance coverage (1).
Periodontal disease is a gum disease that’s divided into three phases. The three stages of the gum disease are determined how much of the infection is controlled. It starts as gingivitis, then periodontitis, and then into advanced periodontitis. The disease starts as an infection which can lead to various severe effects. Periodontal disease is a gum inflammation caused by bad oral hygiene and it is defined as gingivitis, the mildest form of the disease.