Tooth decay (tooth decay) is caused by acids produced by bacteria in dental plaque, which will accumulate on teeth, especially in the gap between gum line and chewing surface of teeth. Foods rich in carbohydrates in the diet will cause bacteria to produce acidic substances, which will lead to the decomposition (demineralization) of tooth outer layer (enamel) or root surface.
Although tooth decay is largely preventable, it is still a common chronic disease in the whole life cycle. About a quarter of children, half of teenagers and more than 90% of adults have experienced tooth decay. Untreated tooth decay affects 10% of children to 26% of adults aged 20-64. Untreated tooth decay can lead to abscess (serious infection) under the gum, which will spread to other parts of the body and lead to serious consequences, and in rare cases, it will be fatal.
Community water fluoridation and school-based dental closure programs are effective cost-saving strategies to prevent tooth decay. 3 4
From 2009 to 20 14, about four-tenths of adults over 30 years old suffered from periodontal disease. Gum diseases are mainly the result of infection and inflammation of gums and bones that surround and support teeth. Some chronic diseases increase the risk of periodontal disease, including diabetes, weak immune system, poor oral hygiene and heredity. Smoking is also an important risk factor for gum disease. If the early form of periodontal disease is not treated, the bones supporting teeth may be lost and the gums may be infected. Teeth with little bone support may become loose and may eventually need to be pulled out.
Two years before oral cancer, nearly 45,000 new cases of oral cancer and pharyngeal cancer were diagnosed in the United States, and the death toll exceeded 10000. The 5-year survival rate of these cancers is about 6 1%. The mortality rate of oral cancer is 3 times that of men and 3 times that of women (4 times that of 65438+0.4 times per100000 population), and the mortality rate of whites and blacks is almost 2 times that of Hispanics (2.6 times that of 65438 +0.5 times). Every100000 people). Preventing high-risk behaviors, including smoking, smoking cigars or pipes, using smokeless tobacco and excessive drinking, is very important to prevent oral cancer. Early detection is the key to improve the survival rate of these cancers. Oral human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted disease, which can cause throat cancer and is called "oropharyngeal cancer". More research is needed to determine whether HPV itself causes oropharyngeal cancer, or whether other factors (such as smoking or chewing tobacco) interact with HPV to cause these cancers.