Cavities (tooth decay)

The breakdown of enamel on our teeth causes cavities, or tooth decay. This is often caused by consuming food and drink which is high in carbohydrates, which creates an acid which erodes the enamel.

Cavities are largely preventable, yet are extremely common with the majority of children having at least one cavity in their baby teeth, and 90% of adults having a cavity in their lifetime.

Around 1 in 4 adults are thought to have an untreated cavity. Untreated tooth decay can cause abscess, a severe infection under your gums which can spread to other parts of your body and in some cases, have serious and even life-threatening results.

The good news is that cavities are largely preventable and easily-treated when identified in good time. Limiting intake of sugary food and drink, brushing your teeth regularly (at least twice daily), flossing and  using sugar-free medicines are all great ways to prevent cavities, while regular dental check-ups are the best way to track, identify and act on cavities.

Gum disease

Gum disease is another extremely common oral health condition, but left untreated can lead to bad breath, gum shrinkage, loose teeth and even loss of teeth. Around 4 in 10 adults above 30 had gum disease, which impacts the gums and bone which supports our teeth.

Conditions such as diabetes often increase risk of gum disease, while poor oral hygiene, genetics, tobacco usage and weak immune systems are also common causes.

Again, regular dental check-ups are key in managing and spotting gum disease – but you should look to book an appointment immediately if you notice that your gums bleed when brushing your teeth or eating hard foods or your gums are a cause of pain. Bleeding gums are never normal and should always be taken as a warning sign.

Mouth cancers

Amongst some of the most common cancers, mouth/oral cancers are almost three times as common in males as they are in females.

As you may have suspected, high risk behaviours such as consumption of tobacco in any means and excessive alcohol consumption are big contributors to the prominence of mouth cancers.  Oral HPV (Human Papilloma Virus), the most common sexually transmitted disease, can also cause throat cancers.

As with all cancers, early detection key to increasing chances of survival. Symptoms to look out for include mouth ulcers that are painful and do not heal within several weeks, unexplained lumps in the mouth or neck which do not disappear, persisent numbness or an odd feeling on the lip or tongue, red or white patches on the lining of the mouth or tongue and changes in speech. Further symptoms and information can be found via the button below.