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4 Symptoms Of Oral Disease

Though it is likely that you brush and floss every day, you are probably not too terribly concerned with the possibility of an oral disease itself. However, you should be. Oral diseases are incredibly common – even if you do take adequate care of your teeth – and you should be made aware of the symptoms that might plague you if you contract such a disease. There are a number of symptoms that might indicate that you are suffering from an oral disease, and if you are experiencing these symptoms you should seek out the treatment of a dentist right away.

Halitosis

Halitosis is one of the most embarrassing things that can happen to someone who is suffering from an oral disease. Halitosis is more generally known by a much more common moniker: bad breath. Bad breath is usually the provenance of bacteria that clusters together in your mouth – bacteria that is usually found to be the cause of such diseases as gingivitis and periodontitis – and creates a noxious odor that is foul to smell and experience in general. The smell can be so strong that it is akin to sulfur or rotten eggs and sometimes can smell even worse. Halitosis is usually a symptom of gingivitis or other forms of gum disease. Halitosis usually will not go away unless the underlying problem that is causing that halitosis is treated properly.

Dry Mouth

Saliva is an integral part of making sure that your oral hygiene is in tip top shape. If your mouth is not producing an adequate amount of saliva, this is a problem for several reasons. First and foremost, saliva keeps your mouth clean and free from bacterial agents and, as such, infection. Sometimes a disease can cause the mouth to dry up, and saliva production either ceases or slows to a grinding halt. This acts as a feedback loop in a way: you have dry mouth because of a disease, and the disease gets worse and worse because saliva is not present in your mouth to fight back the disease.

Tonsil and Gland Problems

Tonsil and gland problems are usually a sign of bacterial infection within the mouth. Tonsils, located towards the front area of your throat, can easily be infected through bacteria and sometimes, due to the fact that they are essentially being abused during this infection (although not necessarily through any fault of your own, poor oral hygiene can contribute to tonsil infection), they occasionally need to be removed. Gland problems also contribute to dry mouth, as the glands present in your mouth are essentially the lynch pin in what produces saliva. Without a properly working set of saliva glands, saliva simply will not be present in your mouth to an adequate degree.

Canker Sores

Canker sores are a problem that anyone at any age can experience, although they are most common in people ages 10-20, but individuals in puberty are particularly susceptible to them. People entering puberty are particularly susceptible to canker sores due to the fact that the amount of hormones present in the body make the body ripe for bacteria, which greatly contributes to canker sores becoming more prominent and presenting themselves either in the roof of the mouth or on the side of one's cheeks.

Oral disease is a serious issue, and it is a set of problems that you should not take for granted. Hopefully, you are now a bit more equipped to rightfully identify several of the symptoms of oral infection or disease. Talk to your dentist about any concerns you might have and follow his care instructions carefully in order to prevent the progression of oral disease.


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