Dental Cavities Essay

Researchers have identified hundreds of oral diseases however, majority of oral fatalities in the world are caused by a select few. Dental Cavities has proven to be the most common and widespread example of oral diseases. Like I said earlier, I had a dental cavity before and according to the World Health Organization (WHO), 60–90% of school children and nearly 100% of adults also have dental cavities Worldwide (WHO 2015). Dental cavities are holes (or structural damage) in the teeth and it usually occurs in children and young adults, but can affect any person. Dental cavities develop when bacteria normally found in your mouth change foods (especially sugar and starch) into acids. Bacteria, acid, food pieces, and saliva combine in the mouth to form a sticky substance called plaque. Plaque adheres to the teeth and when t is not removed from the teeth turns into a

substance called tartar or calculus. The acids in plaque damage the enamel covering your teeth, and create holes in the tooth (cavities). Cavities usually do not hurt, unless they grow very large and affect nerves or cause a tooth fracture. An untreated cavity can lead to a tooth abscess or worse case removal of the tooth (Medline plus 2015).
Periodontal (gum) disease is the second most common type of oral diseases. It also arises from the build up of plaque on the tooth however it proceeds in two stages. It begins with gingivitis (inflamed gums), which causes bleeding and pain but does not lead to teeth loss. According to WebMD, when gingivitis is left untreated, it can advance to periodontitis. In a person with periodontitis, the inner layer of the gum and bone pull away from the teeth and form pockets. These small spaces between teeth and gums collect debris and can become infected. The body's immune system fights the bacteria as the plaque spreads and grows below the gum line (WebMD 2015).
Oral cancer is another type of Oral disease. According to the World health Organization (WHO), incidence of oral cancer ranges from one to 10 cases per 100 000 people in most countries. Oral cancer appears as a growth or sore in the mouth that does not go away. Oral cancer, which includes cancers of the lips, tongue, cheeks, floor of the mouth, hard and soft palate, sinuses, and pharynx (throat), can be life threatening if not diagnosed and treated early. According to WebMD, it arises from excessive smoking of tobacco and consumption of alcohol, family history of cancer, excessive sun exposure, and the Human Papillomavirus (HPV). Furthermore, The most common symptoms (as indicated by WebMD) of oral cancer include: 1. Swellings/thickenings lumps or bumps, rough spots/crusts/eroded areas on the lips, gums, or other areas inside the mouth. 2. The development of velvety white, red, or speckled (white and red) patches in the mouth. 3. Unexplained bleeding in the mouth, Unexplained numbness, loss of feeling, or pain/tenderness in any area of the face, mouth, or neck. 4. Persistent sores on the face, neck, or mouth that bleeds easily and do not heal within 2 weeks. 5. A soreness or feeling that something is caught in the back of the throat. 6. Difficulty chewing, swallowing, speaking, or moving the jaw or tongue. 6. Hoarseness, chronic sore throat, or change in voice and dramatic weight loss. It is pretty clear that oral cancer is on the extreme end of the oral fatalities and according to the American Cancer Society, men face twice the risk of developing oral cancer as women, and men who are over age 50 face the greatest risk (WebMD 2015). Oral Cancer treatment includes surgery to remove the cancerous cells/tumors and supplementing with radiation and chemotherapy treatments, however the best prevention is to avoid smoking and binge drinking.
Additionally, Oral noma is another type of Oral diseases that is more common in impoverished places like African and Asia where young children are malnourished.

According to WebMD, The exact cause is unknown, but may be due to bacteria called fusospirochetal organisms (WebMD 2015). Victims of oral noma often have illness such as measles, scarlet fever, tuberculosis, cancer, or immunodeficiency. It causes tissue destruction and inflammation of the gums and lining of the cheeks which leading to the development of ulcers. The ulcers cause breath and skin odor. Oral noma eventually destroys the soft tissue and bone around the mouth and lead to deformity and loss of teeth.

Last but not least, cleft lips and palate are examples of oral diseases. It usually occurs during birth it leads to the improper formation of the baby’s mouth. The tissue that makes up the lip does not join completely before birth. Which causes an opening in the upper lip. The opening can be a small slit or a large opening that goes through the lip into the nose. It can be on one or both sides of the lip or, rarely, in the middle of the

lip.
Children with a cleft lip also can have a cleft palate. The roof of the mouth is called the "palate." With a cleft palate, the tissue that makes up the roof of the mouth does not join correctly. Babies may have both the front and back parts of the palate open, or they may have only one part open. Children with a cleft lip or a cleft palate often have problems with feeding and talking. They also might have ear infections, hearing loss, and problems with their teeth (WebMD 2015).