What chages should we worry about?
A simple check up done by the dentist may reveal signs of an oral disease. The oral mucosa covers the anatomical structures, by lining the oral cavity. Its role is extremely important, forms a barrier between the external and internal environment of the body, at the same time, an important function of protection against chemical, physical and biological poisons that could affect the body.
Poor oral hygiene, alcohol, drugs, harsh, cold or hot food, microorganisms, food deficiencies, trauma, general illness, all this may have repercussions at this level.
I will briefly present the most common injuries at this level:
1. ORAL THRUSH - are the most common disorders of the oral mucosa, affect 20-50% of the pupulation and female sex is more affected. It must be known that recurrent thrushes require medical treatment and may be signs of general disorders.
As favouring factors: food(nuts, chocolate, peanuts etc.), microbial factors (especially steptococus), viruses (herpetiv vitus type 6, cytomegalovirul), association with certain general disorders (vitamin B deficiency, folic acid, iron, Bechet s disease, Crohn s disease, Sweet syndrome, cyclic neutropenia, cartilage inflammation syndrome.
2. HERPES VIRUS it is most commonly produced by type 1 herpes virus.
Is an ulcerative acompanied by alteration of the general condition: fever, headache, adenopathy. The rash heals in 7-10 days but the virus remains inactive in the body. Reactivation of the virus occurs in the case of trigger factors such as: UV radiation, cold, various food, menstrual cycle, traumas, extractions, vaccinations, stress, immune reduction.
3. ORAL CANDIDIASIS is caused by the candid albicans fungus. It is normally present in the oral cavity, under certain conditions it multiplies and gets agressive: diabetes, pregnancy, antibiotics excess, imunosuppressive medication, oral contraceptives, endocrine disorders, poor hygiene, smoking, old dental prosthetics etc.
4.ORAL ALLERGIES are either the materialization of general immune conflicts or contact allergic reactions. General reactions with oral allergic manifestations aims detecting and eliminating the suspected allergen. This is a medical emergency and should be treated as such.
The contact allergic reactions incrased with the exposure of the population to allergic foods, dental materials, cosmetics, drugs, etc.
A topic I would like to highlight is about lesions with malignancy potential and premalignant oral mucosa. Any injury we notice should ask us a question mark and direct us to a dentist visit.
Most lesions with malignancy potential appear on a seemingly normal mucosa, while 10-17% appear on pre-existing lesions. Premalignant oral mucosa is a generalized pathological lesion associated with increased risk of malignancy.
A. PREMALIGNANT LESIONS evolves necessary into cancer
1. ERYTROPLAKIA is a rare form of velvet vivid red lesion
2. PROLIFERATIVE VERUCOUS LEUCOPLAKUA is an aggressive form with a high rate of malignancy
B. LESIONS WITH MALIGNANCY POTENTIAL is a lesion that although is not necessarily evolving to cancer, has an increased risk
1. ORAL LEUCOPLAKIA is an white patch not less than 5 mm that can not be removed by deletion.
2. ACTINIC CHEILITIS occurs at the level of lower lip due to the long-lasting UV radiations
Do not delay your visit to the dentist if you notice any change in the oral mucosa. An alarm sign for us, would be the one in wich the initial affection turns over or does not give signs of healing.
Almost any disease found on time with appropriate treatment, either surgically or by medication can be remedied without serious consequences.
Author: Dr. Narcisa Mehedintu, Dentist ABC Eurodent
Sources: ,,Medicine and oral pathology,, Serban Tovaru,vol I
Photo sources: own sources, ,,Medicine and oral pathology,, Serban Tovaru,vol I
Photo Cover: www.tuvanimplant.com
