Have you ever wondered about the silent menace that lurks inside your mouth, causing discomfort and pain?
Oral infections are more common than you might think, affecting people of all ages and backgrounds. In this blog post, we will unravel the mysteries behind these common oral infections, exploring their causes, symptoms, and most importantly, how to prevent them effectively.
A good and strict oral care regime is the most important factor in keeping your teeth and mouth safe and healthy. Due to poor oral hygiene bacteria in the mouth may lead to various oral problems. Plaque is a major contributor to oral infections. It continues to develop around teeth and increases the risk of damaging teeth and soft tissues. Some of the infections are short-term and some may occur at an advanced level. Even minor conditions or an early stage of oral infection may cause pain and discomfort. Such a condition may lead to trouble in everyday activities including eating, drinking, brushing, etc. If the pain or discomfort is significant it may cause you to stop brushing and this could lead to a disaster in the oral cavity. All these can be prevented simply by good oral hygiene practices.
Some common symptoms include:
- Sores in the mouth, lips, or gums
- Recurring bad breath
- Pain in your teeth, gum, or jaw
- Tooth sensitivity to hot or cold foods
- Sore or bleeding gums
- Swelling of the gums, jaw, or lymph nodes
- Loose teeth
- Fever
- Headache
- Malaise
- Difficulty swallowing, biting, or chewing
Following are some common oral infections.
Dental caries and Tooth decay
Dental caries are caused by bacteria due to poor oral hygiene. Bacteria in the mouth multiply and produce acids that damage the enamel and lead to dental caries followed by dental decay. Streptococcus is the predominant species in dental caries. Dental caries is more common in kids.
Gingivitis
Gingivitis is an early-stage gum disease, caused by a number of different bacteria. When these bacteria are not removed due to poor oral hygiene, they accumulate in hard-to-reach parts of the mouth, i.e., just below the gum line. Bacteria release substances that cause inflammation and swelling of gums. Moreover, these bacteria can enter your bloodstream and may travel to other organs contributing to systemic diseases. A large number of people have gingivitis. If left untreated leads to an advanced level of disease periodontitis.
Periodontitis
Periodontitis is an advanced level of gum disease. If gingivitis is left untreated it leads to worsening gum disease leading to loss of teeth and risking underlying bone structure. Pockets start to form around teeth which results in inflammation and bone loss. Periodontitis is common in adults.
Oral Herpes
Oral herpes is widely existed and is caused by viruses. Some people may show unpleasant symptoms like blisters on the oral soft tissues, and flu-like symptoms. In young children swollen gums and discomfort in eating may also appear when experiencing this infection. Once infected with this virus by proper medication this may become dormant but can flare up from time to time. The recurring infection lasts ten to fourteen days.
Oral Thrush
Thrush is a common oral infection that is caused by the fungus Candida Albicans. This infection is more common in people using antibiotics or undergoing chemotherapy. The fungus is usually present all the time, but poor immunity triggers it and leads to the rapid growth of fungus. Its symptoms include white patches in the mouth and can be treated with antifungal medication.
Canker Sores
Canker sores are lesions that form on the soft tissues of the mouth-like gums, these are also known as aphthous ulcers. Canker sores are more common in children and young people. They are linked with poor immunity and food intolerance. One may have uncomfortable symptoms while having canker sores. It usually takes a time of two weeks to heal.
Hand Foot and Mouth Disease
This is caused by bacteria Coxsackie A16 in babies and young toddlers mostly. Painful blisters appear inside the mouth. Blisters may also appear on the palms, butt, and soles of the feet. It can also cause fever and sore throat; however, luckily it vanishes within three to four days.
Herpangina
This is quite like hand foot and mouth disease as caused by the same microbe. This infection is also common for kids and youngsters in the summer and fall seasons. Symptoms of infections are also quite similar like sore throat fever and blisters in the mouth. It heals in a period of three to ten days.
Although most of these infections sound horrible yet avoidable, the best way to avoid them is to ensure that your overall mouth health remains as good as possible. Good oral care is essential for this and includes professional supervision and any treatment when needed.
How to prevent oral infections?
To prevent mouth infections, employ some basic health and oral hygiene practices such as:
- Maintaining good oral hygiene
- Brushing two minutes twice a day
- Flossing
- Using mouthwashes preferably antiseptic within the prescribed limit
- Avoiding direct contact with an infected person
- Keeping mouth hydrated
- Taking the supplements as prescribed by the doctor
The most important factor in maintaining good oral hygiene is to keep away all the bacteria and germs that are the mainstream cause of oral infections. A toothbrush is a very important tool to accomplish it. However, toothbrushes also get contaminated by germs present in the environment, and using such contaminated toothbrushes can add to oral problems. Thus, to maintain good oral hygiene, it is important to ensure that your toothbrush is free from bacteria. Protector® has come up with the best solution for hygiene-conscious persons. Protector® Antiviral & Antibacterial Toothbrush keeps itself clean and hygienic after every use. Its efficacy has been tested by international labs and proven to be 99.99% in accordance with international standards. Its specially designed head cleans the hard-to-reach parts more efficiently thus, reducing the chances of gum diseases and removing plaque effectively. The magnetic feature helps to improve microcirculation and may help in protecting gums. Moreover, its soft and medium bristles are gentle on teeth and gums providing a hygienic and comfortable brushing experience.
Protector® – A Perfect Choice for Your Oral Hygiene
