Getting to know what oral health diseases are may help you understand what to look out for when it comes to your oral health. Common oral health diseases include:
Tooth cavity (tooth decay or dental caries): This happens when plaque builds up on your teeth and eats away at your enamel (the hard outer shell of your tooth).
Gum inflammation (gingivitis): This happens when plaque builds up on your gums, and releases acids that break down your enamel and cause decay. That plaque and decay inflames your gums and can cause them to bleed when you floss.
Gum or periodontal disease (periodontitis): When that plaque keeps building up, the inner layer of your gum and bone eventually pulls away from your teeth and forms pockets. These pockets collect bacteria and cause infections below the gum line. That can make your teeth loose and cause them to fall out.
Oral cancer: This shows up as a growth or sore in your mouth that doesn’t go away. Different kinds of oral cancer include: cancers of the lip, tongue, cheek, mouth, throat and more.