A serious oral health problem is related to infections and wounds inside the oral cavity. Most of them originate in the teeth and gums. When caries is present, infection can develop rapidly: A decayed and infected tooth can even spread the infection through the respiratory tract and aggravate the patient’s condition if it is not detected in time. Regular check-ups at your IMOI Clinic are very important to keep your dental health in order.
Today we will show you the different oral infections that exist so that you can be alert to any pain you may have.
Types of oral infections.
Gum infections or periodontal or periodontal infections.
This type of infection is very common and consists of an accumulation of bacteria inside the gums, to the point that they have receded and formed a kind of pockets around the teeth. Bacteria begin to generate a serious infection in the mouth that can even end in severe periodontitis that can lead to partial or complete tooth loss.
Infections and oral lesions.
When sores or other oral disorders appear in our mouth we are facing an infectious disease. There are many types of these but the most common are canker sores, herpes, candidiasis. Their origin may be for various reasons, but this type of irritation and infectious lesions are very painful to the point of making it impossible to eat or speak.
If you have a sore or mouth ulcer that persists for more than 15 days, you should visit your IMOI dentist to have it examined and to determine the cause of its appearance. In most cases it may be due to a lowering of the immune system due to the consumption of antibiotics or even by putting contaminated objects in the mouth.
How do we know if we have an oral infection?
The following signs may indicate that you are having an oral infection.
- Halitosis
Bad breath is one of the characteristics of infections in the mouth; especially when it comes from diseases such as periodontitis. On previous occasions we have already talked about this type of condition, you should go to your dentist when your gums bleed, you have pain or even feel weak teeth. Likewise, when you have already noticed a persistent bad odor in your mouth. In this section we explain how to treat halitosis.
- Appearance of aphthous ulcers
Canker sores are small white sores surrounded by a reddened area. They are generally not contagious and appear inside the oral cavity. They are sometimes mistaken for cold sores, which are highly contagious and appear outside the mouth.
Canker sores come and go, and are caused by problems in the patient’s immune system or the presence of viruses and bacteria that generate the infection; they also appear due to allergies, stress or iron deficiency.
- Appearance of cold sores
It is caused by a type of virus that is highly contagious. This infection usually appears in adolescents and children with no apparent previous clinical picture; but once the patient is infected he/she may have the virus for a long time causing recurrent infectious attacks. In some patients there is no real manifestation and the virus remains inactive.
- Leukoplakia
This disease is distinguished because it has a moldy appearance on the cheeks, tongue or palate; it is related to people who have smoked or chewed tobacco. Although in some occasions dental prosthesis, tooth fractures or cheek injuries may cause its appearance.
It is important to be very careful with this condition because 5% of the cases of leukoplakia can turn into cancer. Early diagnosis through a biopsy is important to rule out a major malignancy. Once the patient stops smoking the leukoplakia may disappear. In our dental clinics we are specialists in detection and treatment of complicated oral infections with a highly qualified medical staff.
- Candidiasis or yeast infection
Candidiasis is a type of fungal infection characterized by yellowish or creamy plaques in moist areas of the mouth. The tissues affected by candidiasis cause a lot of discomfort and itching to the point of preventing normal eating. Candidiasis fungal infection may occur in people with dental prosthesis; therefore it is important to have a correct hygiene; it also affects newborns, people with low immune system or who have been treated for a long time with antibiotics. People who have a constantly dry mouth may also suffer from it.
What are the treatments for oral infections?
The treatment depends a lot on the type of problem you have; the doctor will have to evaluate the situation. For the most common diseases, a treatment such as those specified below is sufficient:
Mild canker sores and ulcerations are treated with over-the-counter topical ointments and also with analgesics that help the patient to have temporary relief. Your dental clinic may also prescribe antimicrobial mouth rinses to eliminate infections. Antibiotics are sometimes prescribed.
In other cases, when the condition is chronic, only palliative treatments are given to prevent the patient from suffering discomfort during the period in which symptoms appear again, whether due to hormonal or emotional disorders, stress, etc.
Treatments for oral infections are only and exclusively indicated by your dentist, because based on his diagnosis, he will be able to give you a complete medication plan for your problem. Keep in mind that many of these infections are virtually curable in their entirety when given the proper medical attention. This is why it is so important that you have regular check-ups at our clinics.
If you suffer from any of these symptoms we strongly recommend you to make an appointment as soon as possible at our dental clinics so that we can provide you with the appropriate care. On your first visit to IMOI clinics we will perform a free dental CAT scan so you can have the best diagnosis for treatment. Remember that an infection is not a simple thing, you must treat it as quickly as possible before it becomes a much more serious health problem that can even damage other organs.
Oral health is totally connected to the health of our whole body as we have been specifying in previous topics. When you have an oral infection, it can gradually spread to your larynx and even into your bloodstream.
Only you can avoid a major problem.
At IMOI Barcelona and IMOI Ibiza, we follow editorial principles that guarantee the authenticity of all the information we disseminate. If you are interested in learning more about how we ensure that our content is always up-to-date and accurately supported, we invite you to review our editorial commitment.
This article has been supervised by Dr. Ferran Novell Costa and Dra. Erjona Demiraj, specialists in Dental Health and Dental Aesthetics treatments. Responsible for the treatments provided at IMOI Barcelona and IMOI Ibiza and for the supervision and/or updating of the contents of this blog entry. (7/11/2023). The recommendations described are not generic and do not replace the diagnosis and evaluation of a professional in a dental office. If you want us to clarify any aspect or you want a personalized diagnosis and advice we recommend you to come to our dental clinics.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any medium without written permission is prohibited.
