Your Oral Health

In the mouth, dentists can see signs of malnutrition and if you are risk of certain disease (i.e. gum disease can be a sign of diabetes or leukemia)
The mouth is filled with bacteria which can cause tooth decay or gum disease
Gum disease (Periodontal disease) is linked with diabetes and cardiovascular disease (heart disease and stroke)
Grinding and clenching your teeth can lead to migraine-like headaches

The mouth-body connection

What are teeth?

Teeth are small, white and calcified structures in the mouth attached to the jaw bone and maxilla. Their primary function is mastication (chewing) of food.

Teeth are composed of many layers

Enamel

Enamel is the hardest and mineralized structure in the body. Is the visible layer of the tooth. Stronger than bone, enamel protects softer inner layers of the tooth (dentin).

Dentin

Dentin is the inner layer of tooth. Is softer than enamel and decays at a more rapid rate. Is the layer in between the enamel and pulp of tooth.

Pulp

Pulp is in the center of tooth, holds blood supply of tooth and has nerves and blood vessels.

Root

The root is not coated with enamel, but is coated with a dentin-like substance called cementum. Is softer than enamel and dentin, as you age, roots get exposed, making teeth more sensitive.

“Mouth is a window into the health of the body”
- American Dental Association

Common Dental Problems (Oral Health)

Cavities

What is a Cavity?

Cavities are referred to as tooth decay, holes, or structural damage to teeth. The cavity or hole is caused by bacteria in your mouth (aka plaque).

Cavities and food

Bacteria in the plaque feed on sugars found in food and drinks and create an acid by-product. These acids sit on your teeth and over time breakdown the enamel, causing cavities/holes in your teeth.

Severe tooth decay

If a cavity is not treated early on, tooth decay (infection) spreads deeper into the tooth until it affects the pulp. Untreated, the infection spreads into pulp and out into root end opening. Consequence of no treatment could be life threatening as bacteria starts to spread into surrounding tissues.