Welcome to Lesson 7: Indicators of Problems of the Dental Health

Lesson 7 – Indicators of Problems
Welcome to Lesson 7: Indicators of Problems of the Dental Health for Individuals with Disabilities webcast series. Please adjust your computer volume so that it is at a comfortable listening level for you.
Course #: 2012‐09‐07
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Lesson 7 – Indicators of Problems
In lesson 6 you learned how to identify adaptations that you need for dental care. You learned to make sure you discussed with the dental office any special adaptations that may be needed for you to make your dental visit pleasant such as: communication barriers, physical barriers, and psychological barriers. Now you are ready to review some potential areas that may be a problem for you. Course #: 2012‐09‐07
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Lesson 7 – Indicators of Problems
What are some of the common problems people experience at times? Poor oral health may lead to some common problems such as pain, discomfort, difficulty sleeping, and eating. To understand if these symptoms are caused by poor dental care you can ask yourself if you have any of the following signs:
• Pain or swelling
• Red swollen or tender gums or gums that bleed when flossing or brushing
• Persistent bad breath
• Pus between the teeth or around the gums
• Loose or separating teeth
• Change in the way your teeth feel when you bite down
• Change in the fit of dentures or appliances
Course #: 2012‐09‐07
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Lesson 7 – Indicators of Problems
Let’s look at some common problems we all have at one time or another. The first problem we will talk about is dental cavity or tooth decay. These are common and can be associated with poor diet, poor dental care, or even adverse side effects from certain medications. If you have a cavity you may experience:
• Sensitivity to heat or cold and/or pain from high sugared content food
• Toothache
• Discoloration at spots or the entire tooth
• Bad taste in your mouth
Your dentist can fix your cavities by either filling the decayed area and cleaning the teeth or removing the decayed area. After your dentist fixes your cavity then he or she will share with you some things that can be done to prevent future problems. Your dentist may recommend special sealants or fluorides for a coating to your teeth. He or she may ask you to do a better job at brushing your teeth and flossing. He or she could help you find a special toothbrush to help you get in the back of your mouth or may ask you to not drink sugared soda. Course #: 2012‐09‐07
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Lesson 7 – Indicators of Problems
Gum disease is an infection of the soft tissues surrounding and supporting your teeth. It can be caused by medications such as blood pressure or seizure medications or by plaque build‐up. It has been called gingivitis or periodontal disease, but they are still gum disease, just different stages. If you have gum disease you may experience one or more of the following symptoms:
• Bleeding during brushing or flossing your teeth
• Red, swollen tender gums
• Achy or itchy gums
• Loose teeth
• Bad breathe that does not go away
• Visible holes or pockets in your gums
• Changes in the way your denture or dental appliance feels or fits
The dentist can help you if you have any of these symptoms and will provide treatment to you for your gum disease. Some of the treatments most commonly used by a dentist include: an antimicrobial medication, training you on how to care for your teeth, and providing frequent preventive measures called periodontal treatment so you can avoid an increase in your gum disease. Course #: 2012‐09‐07
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Lesson 7 – Indicators of Problems
Tooth erosion is the wearing away of tooth enamel by acid. The enamel is the hard calcified tissue that covers and protects the outside of the tooth. It is also the hardest substance in your body. Erosion can cause mild dental problems, from tooth discoloration to sensitivity to more severe dental problems, such as indentions in the teeth, even cracked teeth. Tooth erosion can do severe damage to your teeth, but it can also be prevented. Some tips to prevent tooth erosion include:
• Rinsing your mouth with water after eating or drinking acidic foods or beverages. Limit carbonated drinks and try replacing them with water, milk or un‐sweetened coffee and tea. • Use a straw when drinking carbonated beverages or other sweet drinks, such as natural fruit juices, which are very acidic. A straw enables the liquid to go quickly to the back of your mouth instead of washing over your teeth. • Chewing sugar‐free gum can help reduce dry mouth and increase the saliva flow. Always use a soft toothbrush, and toothpaste with fluoride.
If you have any of theses symptoms talk to your dentist who can educate you on what products to use that are for sensitivity caused by tooth erosion.
Course #: 2012‐09‐07
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Lesson 7 – Indicators of Problems
Halitosis is the medical name for bad breath. Most people that have bad breath have a dental problem. Bad breath to most people is an embarrassing condition that can affect anyone at anytime, and is caused by several factors. The most common causes of bad breath are eating onions, garlic, cabbage, or spicy foods that have a strong odor. This can be eliminated by brushing your teeth. Other problems that cause bad breath could be one or more of the following:
• Gum disease
• Cavities
• Poor oral hygiene
• Oral cancer, and/or • Bacteria on the tongue
Course #: 2012‐09‐07
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Lesson 7 – Indicators of Problems
Are there are some ways to prevent bad breath? Prevent bad breath by routine dental care twice a day, especially after meals that contain foods and spices known to cause bad breath. Finish off your brushing by rinsing thoroughly with water or mouthwash. Prevent bad breath by making appointments with your dentist on a regular basis (every six months or as indicated by your dentist) for a complete examination of your teeth and gums and thorough cleaning by the dental hygienist. Prevent bad breath when you have dental problems treated as they occur, such as tooth decay, gum abscesses, and abscessed teeth. An easy way to prevent bad breath is to chew parsley after a meal. Parsley contains chlorophyll, a known breath freshener. Avoid foods known to cause bad breath such as garlic, onions, cabbage, certain spices, and coffee. Course #: 2012‐09‐07
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Lesson 7 – Indicators of Problems
Common Problems‐ Gum Disease‐ Gingival Hyperplasia
Gingival Hyperplasia is gums that grow over your teeth. Many times this is caused by medication. Phenytoin (brand name Dilantin), a medication used to treat seizures, is the most common cause of gingival hyperplasia. Treatment for this can include your dentist removing some of the gums by trimming them away from your teeth. Course #: 2012‐09‐07
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Lesson 7 – Indicators of Problems
Common Problems ‐ Abscessed tooth An abscess of the tooth is an infection. An abscess can include pus and swelling of the soft gum tissues around the tooth. An abscess can develop from tooth decay, a cavity, or tooth trauma, such as a broken tooth. If there is an opening in the enamel, the covering of your teeth, such as cavity bacteria can get in and infect the center of the tooth and cause an abscess. Once you have an abscess, the infection could spread throughout the mouth and body. The dentist will order an antibiotic and do a procedure called a root canal. This is usually the only option to save a tooth once it has become abscessed. A root canal is a dental procedure to fix a tooth by removing the center of the tooth, called the pulp, and filling it with a filling material. A root canal is usually performed when the tooth cannot be filled or saved any other way. If one or more of your teeth have become infected, you should see your dentist right away.
Course #: 2012‐09‐07
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Lesson 7 – Indicators of Problems
How can I recognize if someone has any of these common problems? All of these common problems can cause pain. Pain in your mouth, teeth or gums can be expressed by many different actions, such as:
• Face slapping or hitting
• Biting on your fingers, hands, or objects
• Ear pulling
• Biting lips
• Meal refusals
• Difficulty sleeping
• Crying or screaming for long periods of time
• Biting their tongue
• Other self injurious behaviors
• Some common medical condition such as PICA (or eating wall paste, paper and other objects that are not food)
Course #: 2012‐09‐07
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Lesson 7 – Indicators of Problems
Now that you understand some of the common problems that can happen make sure you keep brushing and flossing daily to avoid pain and other problems. Course #: 2012‐09‐07
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Lesson 7 – Indicators of Problems
Thank you for viewing this webcast.
Course #: 2012‐09‐07
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