There are many different diseases of the mouth, teeth and gums that can cause decay, pain, bleeding, and tooth loss. Taking care of your mouth and regular visits to your dentist for checkups and cleaning can help prevent problems before they start.

Cavities or Caries
Decay happens when food particles and bacteria (germs) are not removed from your teeth. The decay creates a hole in the tooth called a cavity. Cavities are also called dental caries. Untreated tooth decay—or cavities—and gum disease can lead to tooth loss. Cavities are the most common disease of childhood, five times more common than asthma and seven times more common than hay fever.

Early tooth loss from poor dental health can cause problems in children such as underweight, poor appearance, impaired speech, inability to concentrate and school absences. Tooth loss in adults affects their appearance, limits the foods they can eat and contributes to nutrition problems that can affect other areas of the body.

Gum Disease
Gum disease is an inflammation or infection of the gums and bone that support the teeth. Gingivitis is the early stage, and the gums become inflamed. Periodontitis is the next stage when infection sets in causing the gums to pull away from the teeth. This is called gum pocketing. The third stage is advanced periodontitis, when gum pocketing and bone loss cause the teeth to become loose. The teeth may fall out or have to be removed.

Recent studies have indicated a connection between periodontitis and heart disease. Researchers believe there is a link between oral bacteria and clogged arteries and blood clots. They have also found links between oral bacteria and pre-term babies, diabetes, pneumonia and osteoporosis.

Abscessed Tooth
When a tooth becomes infected, pus builds up inside the tooth and at the root tip in the jawbone forming a "pus-pocket" called an abscess. An abscess can also cause damage to the bone around the teeth. If the infection spreads to the bone, the tooth may loosen, and the infected root and swollen tissue will be painful. If the tooth dies, the pain will go away. But the infection can remain and slowly destroy nearby bone. The pus from the infection can form a swelling or boil on the gum.

Injured Teeth
Sometimes a tooth becomes cracked or broken and requires a visit to the dentist. A cracked tooth or broken tooth allows the pulp, the soft inner tissue of the tooth, to be irritated or damaged. The pulp contains blood vessels, nerves and connective tissue. Besides being painful, this can interfere with eating. A broken tooth is also very painful and can interfere with eating and speech. Occasionally a tooth gets loosened or knocked out by a hard blow to the mouth area. Teeth that are loosened should be seen by a dentist. Sometimes a tooth that has been knocked out can be saved, so it is important to find it and take it to the dentist.

Dry Mouth
Dry mouth is what you experience when you don't have enough saliva to lubricate your mouth and wash away food. Not only is this uncomfortable, but it can cause decay. Saliva helps neutralize the acids that contribute to decay. Saliva also prevents infection by controlling bacteria and helps you digest your food.

Canker Sores
A small painful ulcer inside the mouth with a white or gray base and red border is called a canker sore. It may occur on your tongue, the back of your mouth (called the soft palate) or inside your cheeks or lips. Canker sores often first appear between the ages of 10 and 20, although they can occur at any age. It makes eating and talking uncomfortable and usually heals in a week or two. It is not contagious.

Cold Sores
Cold sores are also known as "fever blisters." A cold sore is actually a group of painful, fluid-filled blisters that usually appear around the lips, but sometimes appear under the nose or chin. They usually heal in about a week. Cold sores are contagious and very common.

Teeth Grinding or Bruxism
Many people grind their teeth, particularly at night during sleep. This can wear down teeth and fillings, crack and break teeth, and cause inflammation and other damage. Teeth grinding can potentially increase the degree of periodontal disease.

TMD
TMD (temporomandibular disorders) is any one of a group of painful conditions that affects the jaw joint (temporomandibular joint or tmj) and the muscles used in movement of the jaw and neck. More than 15 percent of American adults suffer from persistent facial pain.

Oral Cancer
Using tobacco can cause mouth cancer as well as bad breath, discoloration of teeth, gum disease, tooth loss, bone loss, decay, high blood pressure and an increased risk for heart disease. According to the American Dental Association, smokers are six times more likely than nonsmokers to develop oral cancers. Using smokeless tobacco (snuff or chewing tobacco) can cause cancers of the cheek, gums and lining of the lips and increases the risk of getting cancer by about 50 times.

To learn more:

Oral health: Brush up on dental care basics
(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)

MayoClinic.com provides health information written and reviewed by a team of Mayo Clinic physicians, scientists, writers and educators. This special section offers easy to understand information about most dental and oral conditions.

https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/in-depth/dental/a
rt-20045536

Oral health topics A-Z
(American Dental Association (ADA))

This section of the site contains oral health topics, alphabetically listed, which provides you with information and resources about issues related to you and your family's oral healthcare. Information is clear and includes helpful illustrations.

http://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/az-topics

Periodontitis: Complications
(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)

MayoClinic.com explains the connections between periodontitis and heart disease, pregnancy complications, diabetes, pneumonia and osteoporosis.

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/periodontitis/symptoms-cause
s/dxc-20315543

next » What causes dental and oral disease?

Written by: Judi Berry, B.F.A.
Reviewed by: Michael J. Engel, D.M.D.
Last Modified: Monday October 16, 2017 10:08 AM