Photo by Pavel Danilyuk from Pexels An estimated 3 billion people worldwide suffer from oral diseases, according to the World Health Organization. In other words, about half of the world's population. Luckily, most common oral diseases can be prevented in your own home. It includes dental cavities, gum disease, oral infectious diseases, and oral cancer. Even though oral injuries are not a disease itself, they are preventable because they are mostly caused by unsafe conditions, mishaps, and social violence.

Dental Cavities

According to a study published in the medical journal The Lancet, 2.83 billion adults and children worldwide suffer from dental cavities, also known as caries, the "most common health condition" among people with permanent teeth.

A cavity is typically formed when these two steps occur, resulting in decay: 1. Teeth become coated with plaque.

2. By combining with sugar, the bacteria in the plaque produce acid that damages the enamel.

Remedy: Fluoride treatments can reverse decay if caught early enough by you or your dentist. The most common method of treating cavities is fillings. Suppose the decay progresses so far that a filling is not effective, your dentist will likely recommend that the tooth be covered with a dental crown or extracted. It might also be necessary to perform a root canal if the decay reaches your tooth's pulp. The sooner tooth decay is detected, the less likely it is to get worse.

Gum Disease

Around half of the adults aged 30 and over are affected by some form of gum disease, also known as periodontal disease, says the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This condition could mean anything from mildly swollen gums to bleeding gums to tooth loss, depending on the severity of the case.

The most common stages of gum disease are as follows:

1. Gingivitis is caused by plaque and tartar buildup on your teeth.

2. When gingivitis is present, it affects the soft tissues along the gumline, causing them to swell, which then leads to periodontitis.

3. As a result of periodontitis, the gums pull away from the teeth resulting in pockets. Ultimately, tooth extraction or antibiotics might be necessary if the gum infection worsens.

Remedy: It is true that gum disease in its gingivitis stage, if caught early enough, can be reversed, much like cavities. In case it can’t be reversed, your dentist might have to schedule a deep-cleaning treatment to remove all plaque buildup. Antibiotics could be prescribed to you as well. You might need surgery if you have advanced periodontitis.

Infectious Diseases

Oral herpes, also known as cold sores or fever blisters, are the most common infectious oral diseases. Children between the ages of 6 months and 5 years are usually affected by the oral herpes virus. Clinically, it is referred to as herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1).

Infected children will carry HSV-1 for the rest of their lives. A report released by Johns Hopkins Medicine estimates that 50-80 percent of adults suffer from oral herpes - either dormant or active. A formerly HSV-1-free adult who did not contract the virus as a child might contract oral herpes after coming into contact with a child or an adult who is experiencing an outbreak. Be careful where you plant your kisses.

It is more likely for HIV-positive individuals to contract bacterial infections, fungal infections, and viral infections. Soft tissues inside the cheeks, the lips, and under the tongue can develop lesions from these infections. As a result, they can cause dry mouth, swallowing difficulties, as well as discomfort or pain.

Remedy: Your body builds antibodies to fight the virus once you have had the first bout of oral herpes. As a result, the next time you contract HSV-1, your outbreaks may not be as intense, or the virus may remain dormant.

Taking antiviral medication, however, can prevent cold sores from fully developing if you experience the early stages of oral herpes outbreaks. Maintaining a healthy emotional and physical state will minimize flare-ups.

Depending on the specific condition, HIV-related infections require different treatment methods.

Oral Cancers

According to the Oral Cancer Foundation, nearly 53,000 people are diagnosed yearly with mouth or throat cancer in the US. The most common areas of the mouth where oral cancer develops are the tongue, tonsils, gums, and oropharynx (the section of the throat at the back of the mouth).

Oral cancers are often difficult to detect in their early stages due to the lack of clear signs and symptoms. Regular dental check-ups are, therefore, the best way to catch them. When you visit your dental professional, pay special attention to these symptoms for oral cancer screening:

1. A mouth or lip sore that isn’t healing

2. A lump in your mouth

3. Your mouth has a white or red patch

4. Loose teeth

5. Having difficulty swallowing, continuous mouth pain, or ear pain

Using tobacco products increases your chances of getting an oral cancer diagnosis.

Remedy: Surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy can be used to treat oral cancer, depending on the type and stage at the time of diagnosis.

Mouth Injury Trauma

According to the World Health Organization, about 20 percent of people experience dental trauma in their lifetime. Mouth injury trauma can be caused by unsafe conditions, reckless behavior, accidents, or violent acts.

Mouth trauma is often caused by sports injuries. It is possible to prevent mouth injuries in sports by wearing protective equipment, such as mouthguards and helmets.

Remedy: As soon as you can after suffering an unforeseen injury, seek medical attention. If you act immediately, a tooth that has been knocked out can be replaced.

Some injuries call for an expensive treatment that may involve several surgeries. Some of them could be so traumatic that they compromise your psychological health or the health of your entire face.

Maintaining your oral health is more than just keeping your teeth healthy - it is also about preventing your mouth from diseases. Regular dental screenings, good oral hygiene, and avoiding certain behaviors can help prevent some oral diseases.