Most Common Diseases of the Mouth

We use our mouths to speak, laugh, complain, eat and breathe, so it’s not unlikely to contract an oral disease. Diseases of the mouth are often not that serious and can usually be treated with good oral hygiene or a trip to the dentist. Here are some of the most common diseases that might leave you with a sour taste in your mouth.

Canker sores

More commonly known as aphthous ulcers, canker sores are the most common causes of sores in the mouth. Canker sores are small (less than 1cm in diameter) round ulcers with a red lining. They can be found on the gums, on or under the tongue, inside the cheeks and on the mucous membrane under the lips. The exact cause hasn’t yet been determined, but the following factors are known to lead to canker sores:

• Anxiety
• Stress
• Menstruation
• Trauma
• Food allergies
• Certain medication
• Stopping smoking

Herpes Labialis

Now, don’t go around telling everyone that you have herpes. Cold sores, fever blisters or herpes labialis is an infection caused by the herpes simplex virus and mostly affects the areas around the mouth. Cold sores are usually associated with a burning pain or tingling sensation followed by a blister or sore. Herpes labialis can be treated through antiviral medicine. Fever blisters usually disappear within 10 days but go through the following 7 stages:

1. Prodromal – tingling or itching and reddening of the skin around the site of infection;
2. Inflammation – skin becomes inflamed and swollen;
3. Pre-sore – tiny vesicles start to form that may be itchy or sensitive;
4. Open lesion – these tiny vesicles break open and merge to form one ulcer which produces a highly contagious watery discharge;
5. Crusting – a yellowish brown scab forms;
6. Healing – irritation, itching and some pain may occur as new skin starts to form beneath the scab;
7. Post-scab – the skin may remain red at the site of infection for some time.

Xerostomia

Dry mouth or xerostomia is quite common. It can be found in people who breathe through their mouths, people who have recently received radiotherapy (the treatment of disease, especially cancer, using X-rays or similar forms of radiation) or chemotherapy, and can also be a result of dehydration. Xerostomia is also known as hyposalivation and comes with the following symptoms:

• Tooth decay
• Dental/acid erosion
• Oral candidiasis (oral thrush)
• Ascending sialadenitis (inflammation of the salivary gland)
• Dysgeusia (distortion of the sense of taste)
• Intraoral halitosis (halitosis caused by oral bacteria)
• Oral dysesthesia (burning feeling in the mouth)
• Thick saliva
• Dysphagia (difficulty swallowing)
• Thirst
• Dry, sore, cracked or sticky lips

Gingivitis

Gingivitis is also called gum inflammation. Signs of gingivitis include:

• Swollen gums
• Red or purple gums
• Tender or sensitive gums
• Gums that bleed after brushing or flossing
• Halitosis (find out more about halitosis at https://www.ipshealth.co.za/halitosis-bad-breath/)

Gingivitis is caused by bacterial plaque which breaks down the gingival tissues. Gingivitis can be prevented and reversed with good oral hygiene. If not treated properly, gingivitis can lead to periodontitis. Risk factors of gingivitis include age, poor oral hygiene, mouth breathing during sleep, smoking, or overly aggressive oral hygiene.

Periodontitis

Periodontal disease/ periodontitis is more commonly known as gum disease. It is a set of inflammatory conditions that affect the tissue surrounding the teeth. During the early stages (gingivitis), the gums become inflamed, swollen and might bleed. Periodontitis may cause the gum to pull away from the tooth, bone can be lost, teeth may become loose or fall out, or bad breath may occur.  The only way to prevent and treat periodontitis is to practice good oral hygiene (brush and floss your teeth on a daily basis) or to receive professional teeth cleaning. Risk factors are smoking, diabetes, HIV/AIDS, poor oral hygiene and certain medicines. Symptoms of periodontitis include:

• redness or bleeding of gums while brushing teeth or biting into hard food
• Swelling of gums
• Halitosis
• Loose teeth/ teeth falling out

So, let’s keep those pearly whites picture perfect!