Dentist Los Gatos Warring Teeth

Normally we all pay attention to reading and understanding more about major diseases that could affect our family and ourselves. With increasing awareness we are taking preventive actions to combat and keep away lifestyle diseases like diabetes, blood pressure, obesity etc. However one area that we generally tend to ignore or pay no attention to is our dental health. If you were to ask people what they know about dental diseases, most of them will tell you about the dental cavity and not know anything beyond it.However it is quite important to understand the various types of diseases that affect the mouth, the teeth and the gums so as to be able to take preventive actions wherever possible.The diseases that we are referring to are not the same as musculoskeletal disorders of the gums and bone or the teeth structure. These diseases are caused by fungus, bacteria as well as other micro organisms.

Normally in infants we come across minor infection known as Thrush. If you see a white creamy plaque formation on the inner lining of the mouth, then you know that it is an infection that has caused this. With a soft piece of cloth you can easily wipe off the plaque. Beneath the plaque you will notice the skin patch having been inflamed and turned reddish in color. With a course of antibiotics Thrush can be easily cured.

The other kind of fungal infection that usually occurs in adults is an oral and pharyngeal candidacy which shows up with yeast like infection in the throat. Pharyngeal candidacy is normally seen in patients who are asthmatic and use steroids for treatment as well as AIDS patients.

Another common infection that occurs in adults around the corners of the lips which is caused by fungus is Angular Cheilitis. This fungal infection occurs when the area is moist and generally during cold winter period. However with a course of antibiotics the infection can be eradicated and is not contagious. But eradicating the infection can take quite a while in some cases.

Fungal infections are not the only diseases to attach the mouth and teeth but there are other viral infections too. Hairy Leukoplakia is one such viral infection that affects and causes a hairy coating to grow on the lateral border of the tongue and cannot be easily wiped off. Though not painful, the look of the tongue can cause revulsion in the people.

Normally in AIDS infected patients and senior citizens we often come across a viral infection known as Singles or Herpes Zoster. This is cause by the same virus that causes chickenpox. It is believed that when people contract chicken pox in their younger days, the virus gets lodged in the system and lies dormant waiting for the body immunity to go down when they can reappear and get active once again.

In this case there appear rashes on one side of the body along a single nerve. The infection can be very painful and lasting over a few weeks. Once cured of the infection, it can resurface once again sometime in future.

If you maintain good body health with very strong immunity and inculcate very good hygiene, then you would be able to keep the virus and fungus at bay.