Dental or oral health is concerned with your teeth, gums and mouth. The goal is to prevent complications such as tooth decay (cavities) and gum disease and to maintain the overall health of your mouth.

A healthy mouth, free of infections, injuries and other problems with teeth and gums, is important in maintaining your overall health. Although a different set of medical professionals focuses on dental health, they are still part of your regular health care team.

Disease and other conditions can affect your dental health and dental problems can affect other parts of your body. Failing to properly care for your oral health may lead to other health problems.

Why to visit the Dentist?

You may think dental check-ups are all about getting your teeth cleaned. But your dentist does much more than polish your pearly whites when you visit. Regular dental visits are important because they allow your dentist to:

• Detect cavities early: Your dentist examines your teeth to find cavities while they’re still minor. The earlier you catch them, the less expensive cavities are to treat.
• Catch gum disease early: Many people with gum disease don’t even realize they have it.
• Detect early-stage oral cancer: Your dentist can check your mouth for signs of oral cancer. This is especially important if you smoke or use tobacco.
• Check your fillings: Your dentist will examine your fillings to make sure they’re secure, and find any that are defective or have decay.
• Catch dry mouth or bad breath: Your dentist can catch and treat oral conditions that cause dry mouth or bad breath.
• Review your oral hygiene: Your dentist and hygienist can help you build and maintain good dental hygiene habits.
• Protect your overall health: Research has linked gum disease to heart disease and diabetes.

What are the types of dental problems?

Dental problems usually fall into one of two categories: tooth decay and gum disease.

• Tooth Decay: Tooth decay is the destruction of the tooth’s enamel. It happens when foods containing carbohydrates (sugars and starches) are left on the teeth. Bacteria that live in the mouth thrive on these foods. They produce acids, which can destroy tooth enamel and result in tooth decay. Tooth decay can happen at any age.
• Gum Disease: Gum (periodontal) disease is a chronic bacterial infection that affects the gums and bone supporting the teeth. Gingivitis is a milder form of gum disease that only affects the gums. But gingivitis can lead to a more serious, destructive form of gum disease called periodontitis.

What are common dental treatments?

• Bonding is a treatment that can be used to repair teeth that are decayed, chipped, fractured or discoloured or to reduce gaps between teeth. For this procedure, a dentist mixes composite resin — a type of plastic — into a paste, then tints the mixture to whiten or match the color of your teeth.
• A dental brace is a device used to correct the alignment of teeth and bite-related problems (including underbite, overbite, etc.). Braces straighten teeth by exerting steady pressure on the teeth.
• Bridges and implants are two ways to replace a missing tooth or teeth. Bridges are false teeth anchored in place by neighbouring teeth. The bridge consists of two crowns on the anchoring teeth along with the false tooth in the centre.
• A crown or cap is a cover that fits over a tooth that has been damaged by decay, broken, badly stained or mis-shaped.
• Dentures are prosthetic devices replacing lost teeth. There are two types of dentures – partial and full.
• Periodontal or gum disease is an infection that affects the gums and jaw bone, which can lead to a loss of gum and teeth.
• Root canals treat diseases or absessed teeth. Once a tooth is injured, cracked or decayed, it is necessary to open the tooth and clean out the infected tissue in the centre. This space is then filled and the opening sealed