Please note: This information was as current as we could make it on the date given above. But medical information is always changing, and some information given here may be out of date. For regularly updated information on a variety of health topics, please visit familydoctor.org, the AAFP patient education Web site.
Information from Your Family Doctor
Common Dental Infections
Am Fam Physician. 2008 Mar 15;77(6):806-807.
See related article common dental infecitons.
What is dental caries?
Dental caries (CARE-eez) is an infection caused by certain bacteria (germs) in your mouth. It destroys the enamel (the hard outer layer) and dentin (the bone-like tissue under the enamel) of your teeth. More common names for dental caries are cavities and tooth decay.
How can I prevent dental caries?
Taking care of your mouth is important. You and your family should visit a dentist each year, starting at one year of age.
You should brush and floss twice a day with toothpaste that contains fluoride (FLOORide). You can start teaching children to brush with a small amount of low-fluoride toothpaste when they are two years old. After six years of age, children can use regular fluoride toothpaste.
Your dentist may suggest putting fluoride gel on your teeth to make them stronger and prevent decay.
What is pulpitis?
Pulpitis (puhl-PIE-tiss) is when the tooth pulp (the soft tissue inside the tooth that has nerves and blood vessels) gets inflamed (hot, red, and swollen). This happens when tooth decay is not treated.
What is a periodontal (PAIR-ee-oh-DON-tal) infection?
It is an infection of the gums (the soft tissue at the base of the teeth) caused by a buildup of bacteria. If the gums are inflamed for more than six months, it can cause bone loss around the teeth.
How can I avoid gum disease?
You can prevent it by brushing, flossing, and rinsing with mouthwash every day.
Where can I find more information?
Your dentist
American Academy of Family Physicians
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Web site: http://familydoctor.org
American Dental Association
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
This handout is provided to you by your family doctor and the American Academy of Family Physicians. Other health-related information is available from the AAFP online at http://familydoctor.org.
This information provides a general overview and may not apply to everyone. Talk to your family doctor to find out if this information applies to you and to get more information on this subject.
Copyright © 2008 by the American Academy of Family Physicians.
This content is owned by the AAFP. A person viewing it online may make one printout of the material and may use that printout only for his or her personal, non-commercial reference. This material may not otherwise be downloaded, copied, printed, stored, transmitted or reproduced in any medium, whether now known or later invented, except as authorized in writing by the AAFP. Contact
afpserv@aafp.org for copyright questions and/or permission requests.
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