288. Bet on the creation of habits of proper oral hygiene to ensure a lifetime and lasting effect (first part)

Oral health is closely linked with the well-being of each one of us, a factor which contributes to maintaining or restoring the physical, emotional and social reforms needed to increase our individual capacities, improving our quality of life. Unfortunately we can say that almost 100% of our population in general suffers from major oral diseases, dental caries and periodontal disease (gum disease). It is so urgent that education and promotion of oral health a reality in our country.

A child with rheumatic disease often have greater difficulties in the practice of their daily oral hygiene:

1. Motor difficulties in the upper limbs can complicate access to the oral cavity (can not reach with a toothbrush to the mouth);

2. Disturbances in the joint that may limit the opening of the mouth (and not reach the back teeth);

3. Deformations in the jaw can lead to dental malocclusion (greater retention of food);

4. Sometimes, though rarely in children, for the rheumatic disease may increase the likelihood of tooth decay and more prone to gingival inflammation.

All these factors hamper the techniques of oral hygiene and help to increase the prevalence of diseases in the oral cavity.

To combat this trend, prevention is the basic approach - placing a bet on individual initiative, with the learning of specialized techniques and addressing the needs of each one is undoubtedly the best way to achieve a good level of oral health.

We now know a little about our teeth, major diseases and their origin, their consequences and ultimately the best way to keep our teeth healthy, throughout our lives.

What is the origin of the major oral diseases?

The number one enemy of our teeth is plaque. Plaque is a whitish mass, which is formed daily, colonized by bacteria, strongly bonded to the surface of the teeth and gums. The plaque builds up in larger amounts in the gingival sulcus (space between the tooth and gum) and the inter-dental spaces.

It is the plaque bacteria that cause tooth decay and disease periodontist (gum disease), but fortunately the plaque can and should be removed daily, using the proper techniques of oral hygiene which will be later explained.

What is tooth decay?

It is an infectious disease that manifests itself after the eruption of the tooth and that causes the gradual softening of dental structures leading to the formation of cavities. In order to start a cavity, the bacteria in plaque produce acids that will destroy the tooth enamel. These acids are the result of fermentation of foods rich in sugars, also called carbohydrates (eg sweets).

What are periodontal disease (gum disease)?

Gingivitis and periodontitis are diseases affecting the tissues that surround and support teeth, and may even come to involve the entire periodontium (which surrounds the tooth, the gums, bone and other tissues that are responsible for maintaining strong teeth in jaws ). Again are the bacteria in plaque that initiate infection.

Gingivitis occurs when we build up plaque in the gingival sulcus (space between the teeth and gums). The gums become sore, red and bleed easily. To return to its normal state, just remove plaque from the gingival sulcus (brushing the teeth with the right technique).

If gingivitis is not treated, can progress to periodontitis, ie the ligament and bone supporting the teeth are lost and the teeth are disabled. In these cases there is also a predisposition for this disease.

There is also stress the existence of tartar (stone teeth), which is not removed, mineralized, it becomes hard and contributes strongly to infection of the gums.

(Continued)

Joana Figueiredo Freire (hygienist)
Andai