Condition Lookup
Sub-Category:
Oral and Dental Health
Number of Conditions: 2
Periodontal disease
Specialty: Senior Health and Geriatrics
Category: Sensory Disorders
Sub-category: Oral and Dental Health
Symptoms:
red, swollen gums; bleeding gums when brushing or flossing; bad breath; receding gums; loose teeth; pain while chewing
Root Cause:
The primary cause of periodontal disease is the accumulation of plaque and tartar on the teeth, leading to inflammation and infection of the gums and supporting structures of the teeth.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
A dentist diagnoses periodontal disease through a clinical examination, reviewing medical history, and performing dental X-rays to assess bone loss.
Treatment:
Treatment includes professional cleaning (scaling and root planing), improved oral hygiene, and possibly surgery for advanced stages.
Medications:
Medications include oral antibiotics (e.g., doxycycline , minocycline ) to control infection, and sometimes antimicrobial mouth rinses (e.g., chlorhexidine ). These are classified as antibiotics and antimicrobial agents.
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Periodontal disease affects up to 50% of adults globally, with higher prevalence in older adults.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Smoking, poor oral hygiene, diabetes, genetic factors, certain medications (e.g., calcium channel blockers), and a weakened immune system.
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
If detected early and treated properly, the disease can be managed or reversed; untreated cases can lead to tooth loss and systemic health issues.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Untreated periodontal disease can lead to tooth loss, systemic infections, and may increase the risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and respiratory conditions.
Xerostomia (dry mouth)
Specialty: Senior Health and Geriatrics
Category: Sensory Disorders
Sub-category: Oral and Dental Health
Symptoms:
dryness in the mouth; difficulty swallowing; sore throat; cracked lips; difficulty speaking; bad breath; altered taste
Root Cause:
Xerostomia occurs due to a decrease in saliva production, often caused by medications, radiation therapy, dehydration, or autoimmune diseases like Sjögren's syndrome.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
A diagnosis is made through a clinical evaluation, including a physical examination, patient history, and sometimes sialography or salivary flow tests.
Treatment:
Treatment includes salivary substitutes, improving hydration, using medications to stimulate saliva production (e.g., pilocarpine), and managing underlying conditions like autoimmune diseases.
Medications:
Medications prescribed for xerostomia include pilocarpine (classified as a cholinergic agent) and cevimeline (also a cholinergic agent). These drugs stimulate saliva production. Saliva substitutes are also available over-the-counter.
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Xerostomia affects 10-30% of the population, with higher prevalence in older adults.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Older age, certain medications (e.g., antihistamines, antidepressants, diuretics), radiation therapy to the head or neck, and autoimmune diseases like Sjögren's syndrome.
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Prognosis can vary; while xerostomia may improve if the underlying cause is treated, it may become a chronic condition if not managed.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Complications include increased risk of dental decay, difficulty speaking and swallowing, oral infections, and discomfort.