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In today’s podcast, Amber Darst, one of our Solutions Managers, discusses common tooth issues that occur during the holiday season.
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Hi, this is Amber Darst, Solutions Manager for Managed Outsource Solutions, and today I will be sharing a little bit on some of the common tooth issues that occur during the holiday seasons.
Holidays are a great time for get togethers, parties, fun and lots of delicious meals and sugary treats. Consuming sugary foods and drinks for a prolonged period of time can increase the chances of gum diseases, tooth decay and other dental issues. Also, a lot of people tend to slack on their dental care routines during this time, exposing their teeth to a higher risk of dental issues.
So let’s take a quick look at some of the common holiday dental problems.
00:47 Tooth decay
First, we have tooth decay. Tooth decay also known as dental caries is a common dental condition caused by a breakdown of the tooth enamel. This issue can be caused by a combination of factors such as bacteria in the mouth, frequent snacking, drinking sugary drinks and improper cleaning of teeth.
01:09 Periodontitis
Next, we have periodontitis. Periodontitis is a gum disease and is the most common cause of tooth loss in adults. This condition occurs mainly due to poor brushing and flossing habits that allow plaque to build up around the tooth, causing inflammation of the gums. Maintaining good oral hygiene is one of the primary methods to keep the teeth and gums healthy and prevent infection.
01:37 Oral Cancer
Next, we have oral cancer. Over use of tobacco or alcohol during holiday parties can increase the risk for oral cancer dramatically. Oral cancer develops in the tissue of the mouth or the throat area. Oral cancer screenings aims at identifying mouth cancer early and treating the same. Dentists may use additional tests to identify areas of abnormal cells in the mouth.
02:06 Canker sores
And then we have canker sores. Canker sores are small shallow lesions that are caused by bacteria or a virus in the mouth. These sores can be simple or complex and can develop in the soft tissues in your mouth or at the base of your gums.
02:23 Gingivitis
Next, we have gingivitis. Gingivitis is a common gum disease that is mainly caused by poor oral hygiene. Other factors include dry mouth, smoking or chewing tobacco, older age, vitamin C deficiency or genetics. This disease can lead to periodontitis and tooth loss.
02:47 Tooth sensitivity
Tooth sensitivity is a very common dental problem that involves pain or discomfort, especially when consuming foods such as ice cream, sweets, and hot or cold drinks.
03:02 Teeth discoloration
And last, teeth discoloration. Teeth discoloration is the change in the color of the teeth. There are several causes of tooth discoloration – drinks such as coffee and tea, chewing tobacco, poor dental hygiene, certain medications, aging, or even genetics can cause this color change.
Maintaining brushing twice a day, flossing each day, and doing your best to keep your alcohol and sugary foods intake at a low will help you get through the holiday season with a much lesser risk of these common tooth issues.
For a full list of ICD 10 codes that are associated with these oral conditions and treatment mentioned on this podcast, please refer to the attached article. And that’s it. Thanks for listening in.
