Infectious processes in the oral cavity

Dr. Arabella Michelén

Wednesday, January 15, 2020

The most common infectious processes of the oral cavity are the result of dental caries and periodontal disease.

Both conditions take time to develop, they do not happen overnight, so the patient has been noticing changes in their teeth, gums and oral cavity tissue, such as: destruction and loss of tissue, change in color of teeth and gums, spontaneous bleeding or bleeding when brushing, discomfort due to changes in temperature, bad breath, discomfort.

If these warning signs are not taken with due importance, one day the patient wakes up with severe pain, perhaps accompanied by swelling or a purulent abscess.
What could initially be diagnosed and treated as a simple cavity or gingivitis has now affected other tissues and its treatment is more complicated. This is how we move on to a pulp condition, so the patient needs a root canal and then a reconstruction of that tooth… in the worst case scenario, the tooth will have to be extracted.

It is common for the patient to initially resist a root canal or extraction, however it is important for them to know that as soon as the pulp tissue is affected, it will be infected tissue in the future.

If you need a root canal, the only alternative is to have it done. In the worst case, it is extraction or taking medication, or applying a dressing, no. You must have a root canal.

The dentist will always explain the diagnosis and alternative treatments to the patient; the final decision is the patient's, but under no circumstances will the oral health professional act against his or her knowledge and ethical principles.

It is emotionally difficult for a patient to accept that their front teeth must be extracted, simply because there is no longer a viable alternative to keeping them in the mouth. Paradoxically, years went by in which this periodontal disease slowly progressed and affected the supporting tissues. However, sometimes the appropriate measures were not taken, despite the fact that the gums and supporting tissue were sending signals that should not be ignored.

The patient ends up physically and psychologically affected, and restoring lost health not only ends up being more expensive financially, but one must also add the emotional factor and its cost, which is usually higher than the financial one.

An acute or chronic focus of infection in the oral cavity affects the entire organism, and it is important to remember that the body works as a whole, not as separate organs, so the correct thing to do is to eliminate it as soon as possible.

Simple measures such as proper hygiene, a healthy diet and regular visits to the dentist make a difference, facilitate early diagnosis and prevent complications.

Remember, prevention is better than cure.