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Periodontitis - Periodontitis occurs when gingivitis is left untreated or treatment is delayed. Infection and inflammation spreads from the gums to the ligaments and bone that support the teeth. Loss of support causes the teeth to become loose and eventually fall out.
When plaque and tartar accumulate at the base of the teeth, a deep pocket tends to develop between the gums and the teeth which fill with plaque and tartar. Soft tissue swelling traps the plaque in the pocket.
Periodontitis is the primary cause of tooth loss in adults. This disorder is not common in childhood but increases with puberty. With periodontitis, professional tooth cleaning is often recommended more frequently than the standard twice a year. Surgical treatment may be necessary for severe periodontitis. Extraction of a tooth may be necessary for advanced periodontitis so that the destruction does not spread to adjacent teeth.
Tooth abscess - A tooth abscess is a complication of tooth decay. A tooth abscess is a collection of pus that forms due to bacterial infection in the roots of teeth or in the gum tissue surrounding teeth. Openings in the tooth enamel allow bacteria to infect the center of the tooth. Infection may spread out from the root of the tooth and to the bones supporting the tooth. Infection results in a collection of pus and swelling of the tissues within the tooth. Symptoms of tooth abscess include toothache, severe, continuous pain, gnawing or throbbing pain, sharp or shooting pain, sensitivity to hot or cold, bitter taste in the mouth, breath odor, possible fever, and swollen neck glands.
Treatment of a tooth abscess is directed at eliminating the infection, preserving the tooth and preventing complications. Treatment may include draining the abscess, antibiotics, over-the-counter pain relievers, root canal therapy and extraction of the affected tooth
Trench mouth – This is a severe gum infection and it get name from its prevalence among soldiers on the front lines during World War I. The disease is also known as Vincent's stomatitis and acute necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis. Trench mouth begins as a bacterial infection that causes inflamed, bleeding gums eventually leading to large ulcers on your gums and between your teeth. These are often extremely painful and can cause bad breath and a foul taste in your mouth.
If it is not treated, the infection can spread to the inside of your cheeks, your lips or your jawbone and can damage or destroy vital tissues. Regular brushing and flossing, professional tooth cleaning, and antibiotic therapy can usually clear up the infection.
Trench mouth tends to develop when factors such as poor oral hygiene, tobacco use and stress disrupt the balance between good and bad bacteria in your mouth. People whose immune systems are severely compromised by conditions such as HIV/AIDS are particularly at risk.
Since plaque and tartar are so easily formed, there is also always the possibility that gingivitis might recur. It is essential to maintain a good oral hygiene all through your life. A good oral hygiene requires proper brushing twice a day, flossing once a day and regular bi-annual dental check-ups. |
