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Oral care and hygiene

from Medical topics

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  18 December 2014

By
Gerry Humphris
Edited by
Susan Ayers ,
Andrew Baum ,
Chris McManus ,
Stanton Newman ,
Kenneth Wallston ,
John Weinman  and
Robert West
Gerry Humphris
Affiliation:
University of St Andrews
Susan Ayers
Affiliation:
University of Sussex
Andrew Baum
Affiliation:
University of Pittsburgh
Chris McManus
Affiliation:
St Mary's Hospital Medical School
Stanton Newman
Affiliation:
University College and Middlesex School of Medicine
Kenneth Wallston
Affiliation:
Vanderbilt University School of Nursing
John Weinman
Affiliation:
United Medical and Dental Schools of Guy's and St Thomas's
Robert West
Affiliation:
St George's Hospital Medical School, University of London
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Summary

Oral diseases and prevention

Virtually without parallel, individual action can successfully prevent the onset of two major oral diseases; dental caries and periodontal disease. Dental caries is a localized progressive decay of the tooth, marked by the demineralization of the enamel by organic acids. These acids develop owing to the fermentation of carbohydrates in the diet by plaque bacteria. A cavity is produced by the continued destruction of the tooth mineral and protein, resulting eventually in the tooth pulp and the surrounding tissues becoming infected. Periodontal disease is an inflammatory condition of the connective tissues which support the tooth and gums (gingivae). It is the result of toxins produced from bacterial plaque which initiates an inflammatory reaction. The tissue breakdown which ensues is due to the inflammatory response being left unchecked. The bone supporting the tooth atrophies leading to high tooth mobility and eventual tooth loss. Although the two diseases are not ordinarily life-threatening, they do influence the quality of life (Locker, 2004; McGrath & Bedi, 2004) and the economic efficiency of nations through the loss of millions of working hours each year, costs associated with treating the diseases and debilitating pain from the diseases themselves (Miller et al., 1975).

Caries and periodontal disease are ubiquitous. The World Health Organization report on oral health presents a comprehensive picture of the extent of both diseases, especially in industrialized countries. (Petersen, 2003). Approximately 60–90% of school children have been affected and almost all adults (above 95%).

Type
Chapter
Information
Cambridge Handbook of Psychology, Health and Medicine , pp. 801 - 803
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2007

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