mouth infections

The mouth is prone to a variety of infections, most of them minor and treatable, but some can be serious and even life threatening if not treated in time.

Most oral infections originate from the teeth or the gums: the teeth because they are decayed or partly impacted (trapped) in the gum. Food can get caught in areas where a tooth is partially impacted, i.e. partly erupted and partly under the surface, and this can cause an infection to develop. An abscess arising around a partly erupted wisdom tooth can be very serious - in very rare cases the infection can spread down through the neck and into the chest causing a potentially fatal condition. Gum (periodontal) infections occur either when the gums have receded and deep pockets have developed around the teeth, allowing bacteria to grow, or if an abscess has formed.

Infections in the mouth can be caused by bacteria, viruses or fungal growth. Bacterial infections can arise if a patient is run down or in a weakened state, either because their immune system is in a compromised state (e.g. due to chronic illness), diabetic, on steroids or on antibiotics for a long time. Fungal infections, such as candida (oral thrush) can also arise from long term antibiotic use. The commonest viral infections are mouth ulcers, again often occurring when a patient is stressed or run down. Cold sores, caused by the herpes virus, occur commonly around the mouth, and some individuals are particularly prone to them.

These vary with the condition, but the commonest symptoms of infection are gingivitis (sore gums) and swollen glands in the neck.

If you are concerned that you have an infection in your mouth, seek the dentist's advice as soon as you can. Depending on the severity of the problem, the dentist may prescribe a course of antibiotics or, if the problem is a large abscess, for example, this may need surgery to drain it and then treat with antibiotics. A large and complex abscess may need to be treated by a specialist oral surgeon in hospital, and general anaesthetic may be necessary. Medications and mouthwashes are available from the dentist for fungal infections and mouth ulcers.

• Keep your mouth clean with twice daily brushing using fluoride toothpaste, flossing to keep gums healthy and rinsing with an antiseptic mouthwash.
• Eating a healthy diet, avoiding snacking on sweet foods which risk lodging in cavities and pockets.
• Chewing ORBIT Complete sugarfree gum after meals helps neutralise the plaque acids that can cause decay.
• If you use a steroid inhaler, wash your mouth with water after use to get rid of any steroids left on the roof of your mouth.
• Clean dentures thoroughly to avoid infection forming beneath them.
• Have regular checkups with both the dentist and the hygienist, as the chances of infection due to both gum disease and decay fall significantly if the mouth is given regular professional cleaning. Regular checkups allow your dentist to keep an eye on any potential wisdom teeth problems.

Click here for the oral health care routine