Oral health
Good oral health means healthy gums, teeth, tongue and mouth. Problems may include pain and inflammation from mouth ulcers or abrasions (e.g. biting the inside of the cheek), fungal infections such as thrush, denture problems, teething, toothache, tooth decay or halitosis.
Oral thrush
Mouth thrush commonly occurs when people do not rinse their mouth after using steroid inhalers for asthma. Oral antifungals, which are available as gel or drops, can be used to treat oral thrush.
Teeth problems
Dentures: Dentures can cause mouth problems if they are not fitted properly.
Childhood teething: Childhood teething occurs when baby teeth start to erupt through the gums, usually between the ages of 6 months and 2.5 years. This can be painful and may cause irritability, swollen red gums, and a slightly raised temperature. Baby teething pain can be relieved by giving the child something to chew on, rubbing a teething gel on the gums, and giving a pain reliever such as paracetamol, if necessary, for pain and fever. Follow the recommended instructions for medicine dose and frequency, to avoid giving too much.
Gum and tooth disease: Gum and tooth disease start with the development of plaque, a deposit containing bacteria that builds up on the tooth surface. Plaque bacteria and sugars from food combine to form acids, which destroy tooth enamel and lead to tooth decay. Plaque removal will help prevent dental decay and bleeding gums, which are a sign of gingivitis or gum inflammation. Use a toothbrush for tooth surfaces, and dental floss for between the teeth.
Dental pain: Toothache can be treated with temporary pain relief such as paracetamol until you are able to visit a dentist. Aspirin should not be used before visiting the dentist because of the risk of bleeding during dental treatment.
Halitosis: Bad breath, or halitosis, can occur with abscesses, indigestion or reflux, or after eating spicy foods or garlic. Halitosis is often caused by sulfur-producing bacteria on the tongue, which build up overnight when saliva production is low.
What can you do to achieve good oral health?
You should:
- always visit the dentist when toothache develops, because it is usually a sign of dental decay;
- discard your toothbrush if the bristles are splayed out, because they will not effectively clean the teeth;
- use dental floss regularly to remove plaque and food trapped between the teeth;
- brush the surface of your tongue with a soft toothbrush or rinse with a mouthwash to help correct halitosis; and
- avoid spicy or acidic foods if you have mouth ulcers, as these may worsen the pain and delay healing.
When should you seek dental advice?
You should seek immediate dental advice if:
- your mouth or gums are obviously inflamed and/or fever is present;
- you have throbbing pain, which may indicate a dental abscess;
- you have a swollen, painful jaw or face;
- you have an injury caused by trauma, such as a blow to your mouth;
- you have persistent bleeding of your mouth or gums; or
- mouth problems such as ulcers or a sore tongue have not resolved within 7 to 10 days, or after treatment.
Last Reviewed: 07 June 2002
