Oral Care

The most common cause of toothache is decay. Decay is dental plaque which corrodes the protective enamel on your teeth. Plaque is made up of the bacteria, acids, and sugars in your mouth. Eventually every time that you eat something, you will feel pain.

If decay goes untreated, an abscess can develop and eventually blood poisoning.

Sometimes when the wisdom teeth grow they become impacted and cause pain. This is common in people in their late teens or early twenties. You may need to get your wisdom teeth taken out if they cause too much pain and discomfort.

Toothaches may also be caused by sinus congestion.

The tonsils are part of the lymphatic system. They are present at birth and grow during the early years of life and regress later on at puberty.

When they become infected, the resulting condition is called tonsillitis.

Tonsillitis most commonly affects young children as the tonsils are apparently at their most potent and strong, taking in any foreign material that threatens the body. But as the child grows, the tonsils shrink, and infections become less common.

If there are problems with the thyroid gland, (and it is very common), rest assured that usually it is easily cured. Most problems are mild however it is always wise to have any symptoms thoroughly checked out to rule out any other more serious illness. The thyroid produces hormones and because of this, it impacts upon all the metabolic processes within your body. The conditions most common are hyperthyroidism - too much hormone production. And hypothyroidism - insufficient hormone production.

Although the effects can be unpleasant or uncomfortable, most thyroid problems are not serious if properly diagnosed and treated.

The throat is the hollow tube that allows food and liquids to pass from the mouth to the stomach. It also lets air travel to and from the lungs. The throat is divided into three distinct sections: the area behind the nose; behind the mouth (including the tonsils) and the lower throat.

Cancers of the throat most often develop in the cells of the mucous membrane lining the throat. Eventually if left untreated, the abnormal cells penetrate through to the surrounding tissues. It is relatively easy for the cancer to spread from here to the lymph nodes in the neck, then on to the other organs.

A growing tumour may interfere the senses and swallowing. Unfortunately, cancers of the nose area and lower throat often spread early, before symptoms are apparent. Cancers behind the mouth will usually not spread to much at first.

This is the time when teeth break through the surface of the gums in an infant.

What to look for

· crying more than usual.

· dribbling increases

· chewing on fingers and rubbing the mouth.

· swollen and red gums.

When the small openings, called ostia, become blocked, the sinuses become inflamed and this is usually the cause of sinusitis.

The mucus can no longer escape, pressure builds up as a consequence and the infection in the sinuses is trapped. The bacteria multiply and the symptoms of sinus start.

The ostia will become blocked as a result of colds and flu, allergies and hay fever.

The ostia may also become blocked because of abnormalities in the nasal passages or as a symptom of other diseases

This is excess mucus that has lodged itself in the throat instead of disappearing through the nasal passages and out the nose.



What to look for

· a flow of mucus that runs down the back of your throat, different consistencies and often associated with a sore throat, a cough and.

· sniffing, snorting, or swallowing of nasal mucus.

Post nasal drip is a consequence of respiratory problems and usually goes once the respiratory condition has cleared up. Mucus is a normal product of the nasal passages, but when too much is produced it lodges itself in the throat.

When the condition becomes chronic, mucus can drip into the bronchial tubes causing extensive coughing and phlegm.

Symptoms associated with advanced oral cancer include ear pain or pain in the roof of the mouth, spasms in facial or neck muscles, or persistent bad breath.

Oral cancer refers to all cancers of the oral cavity, the lips, tongue, cheeks, mouth, gums, and oropharynx, or upper part of the throat. Although oral cancer may spread through the head and neck, it seldom spreads further than this.

Oral cancer sometimes evolves from other oral conditions but however it develops, it is most treatable if detected early.

Fortunately, changes in the oral area are often able to be felt.

Laryngitis is the inflammation of the larynx caused by an infection, or by over-use of the voice, or by irritation.



What to look for

· hoarseness and loss of voice.

· pain when speaking.

· raw feeling in the throat.

· a constant need to clear the throat.

· flu or a cold

The first indication that you have laryngitis is that you lose your voice.

A fungal disease which affects many parts of the body, but is particularly likely to affect warm, damp areas.

What to look for

· Discharge

· itching and burning in the affected areas

· infection in the mouth causes small white patches on the gums, lips and inside the cheeks. These may be painful.

· diarrhoea or constipation, adverse reactions to certain foods, depression, anxiety, irritability, inability to concentrate, chronic fatigue, headaches and recurring cystitis. (more chronic candidiasis)