The inflammation of the gums, or gingiva, is known as gingivitis. Commonly, it occurs because a film of plaque, or bacteria, accumulates on the teeth. A non-destructive type of periodontal disease, gingivitis, if left untreated, can progress to periodontitis. Periodontitis is more serious can eventually lead to the loss of teeth. The signs and symptoms of gingivitis include red and puffy gums that bleed easily when a person tries to brush or floss their teeth. Often, gingivitis resolves with the help of good oral hygiene like longer and more frequent brushing of the teeth and flossing. Additionally, an antiseptic mouthwash can always help. In mild cases of gingivitis, the symptoms are so mild that the patient may not even know they have it. However, this condition should not be taken lightly and must be addressed immediately. Types There are two main types of gingival diseases, they are: Dental plaque-induced gingival disease – This condition can be caused by plaque, malnutrition, systemic factors, or medications. Non-plaque induced gingival lesions – This condition may be caused by a specific bacterium, fungus, or virus. It can also be caused by genetic factors; reactions to foreign bodies, such as dentures; systemic conditions, including allergic reactions and certain illnesses; or wounds.

Gallstones are not life-threatening, but they can cost you big if left untreated for years. However, the question is: Why would they remain untreated? It is because gallstones mostly do not show any symptoms at all. It is quite a common disease among people, but if left untreated, the stones could grow in size, leading to many other complications in the body. An overview A gallstone is nothing but a stone-like solid deposit of digestive fluids formed in the gallbladder. The gallbladder is located beneath the liver on the right side of the abdomen. A gallstone is usually small in size (usually the size of a grain), but if remained untreated for several years, it can multiply in number and integrate with other gallstones to form a bigger gallstone that may resemble the size of a golf ball or worse, even bigger. Risk factors of gallstones A gallstone usually occurs after the age of 35; it occurs among individuals under the age of 30 only in rare cases. An untreated gallstone may lead to complications that can risk your health and life. Obstruction of bile duct In the initial stages, the grain-sized gallstone can be treated with oral medications, but if it is not controlled, it might block the tubes through which the digestive juice is delivered from the liver to the small intestine.

Sealants are the thin plastic coatings that are placed on the chewing surface (known as the occlusal surface) of the molars and premolars. These coatings primarily help in preventing the teeth from acids and bacteria that contribute to its decaying. The liquid material bonds quickly into the grooves and depressions of the teeth thereby forming a protective shield on each of the tooth enamel. Here are some important facts that you should know before going for a dental session for your baby. Need Sealants as the name sounds seal the vulnerable areas of the teeth from decay and cavities where the brush cannot reach. Normal brushing and flossing can remove the bacteria and plaque from the smooth surfaces of the teeth but the problem lies with the crannies and nooks of the back teeth especially the molars and premolars where the toothbrush’s bristles cannot reach. As a result, plaque accumulates in the deep fissures and results in forming cavities. Process of application The application of the dental coating is very simple and it takes only a few minutes to seal each affected tooth by the coating to prevent tooth decay. It is a thoroughly painless process that follows after cleaning the teeth that need to be sealed.

Alcohol addiction, also commonly referred to as alcoholism, is a type of disease which can affect people from varying walks of life. While many experts have tirelessly tried to find a common factor such as sex, race, socioeconomics, or genetics that may cause alcoholism, there are no particular rules for the same. Factors which are psychological, behavioral, and genetic attribute to alcohol addiction. This is one of the major issues that the American populace is grappling with. Here are some statistics that reveal how deep this problem has penetrated in the nation. One out of every eight Americans have a history of alcohol abuse As per the Journal of the American Medical Association (AMA), it has been found that one out of eight Americans is trying to deal with a disorder of alcohol abuse. This basically implies that around 30 million people in the country are suffering through this problem. Additionally, what is more shocking is that since the year 2003, there has been an estimated increase of 50 percent in the population of individuals who can be categorized as alcohol addicts. Around 7,000 children try a drink before they turn 16 Adolescence is usually a rocky age and egged on by peer pressure and various other stressors, most children try substances like cigarettes and alcohol for the first time around then.

Sleep apnea is a type of condition in which the patient may stop breathing for brief durations during their sleep. People with sleep apnea are not able to inhale enough oxygen, which results in them waking up and gasping for air. This results in an obstruction in their sleep. In most cases, the affected people are not even aware that they cannot breathe. They are under the impression that their sleep cycle is quite normal. To others, sleep apnea may even sound similar to snoring. Apart from leaving you tired in the morning, it can even cause mental health problems, while leading to poor immunity. It may also result in memory loss. This also increases the risk of heart failure. Hence, sleep apnea needs to be treated on time. The conventional treatments comprise of taking medicines and taking help of breathing devices. However, the good news is that certain lifestyle changes and some alternative treatments can drastically help in the betterment of sleep apnea for you: Maintain the normal weight One of the biggest advice given by doctors to patients with sleep apnea is to lose weight. People who are obese, especially those who have a lot of fat on the upper body may be at a higher risk of having their airways obstructed along with nasal passages, which were narrow.

The thyroid gland is located right next to the lower front part of the neck. This gland not only controls metabolism but is also responsible for releasing the hormones that directly influence the many functions in the body. For instance, the thyroid gland is also the control house of the utilization of the energy, the way your body produces heat, and how the body consumes oxygen. Thyroid cancer is developed in the body when the cells present in the thyroid mutate by becoming malignant and, eventually, cancerous. These abnormal cells increase in the thyroid and once a lot of them form, they end up becoming a tumor. However, when detected early, thyroid cancer is touted as one of the most easily treatable forms out of all the cancers. Depending on the severity, one would have to consider the following options available for the treatment of thyroid cancer, which include the following Surgery options for treating thyroid cancer Depending on the extent of the cancerous cells inside the thyroid gland, the doctor may recommend the following surgery options for treating thyroid cancer: Lobectomy It is typically used to treat a very minuscule reach of cancer, which does not spread beyond the thyroid glands.

Pancreatic cancer typically starts in the tissues that are situated inside the pancreas. The pancreas is one of the organs in the abdomen, which lies horizontally right behind the stomach’s lower part. These organs release enzymes which, help in aiding digestion, along with hormones, which help in managing blood sugar. This kind of cancer usually spreads quite fast to the organs nearby, and it is unfortunately difficult to detect it in the early stages. However, for people who already have cysts in the pancreas or who have a family history involving pancreatic cancer, screening steps may be used to get an idea about the problem during the initial phase itself. While one of the signs of pancreatic cancer is considered to be diabetes, it is often accompanied by weight loss, pain in the upper abdomen, and jaundice. Diagnosis of pancreatic cancer If your doctor or oncologist feels that you have pancreatic cancer, they may ask you to undergo the following tests. Imaging tests These tests are used by doctors to visualize the internal pictures of the organs and to determine the presence of pancreatic cancer . These may include- ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging, positron emission, and CT scans. Ultrasound pictures Many doctors also use endoscopic ultrasound to understand the images of the pancreas better.

People diagnosed with lupus are sure to have a lot of questions regarding the disease, especially pertaining to the effects it would have on their life. Lupus typically has different consequences for different people. While it may be mild for certain patients, for others it can even be life-threatening. Unfortunately, there is no cause for lupus currently, but with certain steps, the symptoms can definitely be alleviated. Following is a guide to know more about lupus. Lupus in a nutshell Lupus can be best described as a disease, which is chronic and is characterized by inflammation or pain in any body part. It is an autoimmune disorder, which means that it causes the immune system to fight the body by attacking any healthy tissue. Lupus typically affects joints, internal organs, and even the skin. However, knowing about the risk factors of lupus would help you understand the disease better. Risk factors of Lupus In the country alone, there is a minimum of 1.5 million lupus patients. Annually, around 16,000 cases are reported in our nation alone. People of all ages, races, ethnicities, and sexes are at risk of getting lupus. However, research studies suggest that the following people are at a higher risk of developing lupus than the others:

Cavities are a type of tooth decay, wherein a hole gets formed in your teeth. Cavities generally start really small but end up becoming much bigger if not treated on time. The problem is that many cavities start without any pain and may only start bothering you after festering for a while. However, with regular dental appointments, catching a cavity early is possible. Tooth decay and cavities are common problems that people grapple with globally. Since everybody has teeth, the chance of getting cavities is possible for anybody, especially for people who do not care much about dental hygiene. The good news is that having cavities does not mean that a tooth needs to be extracted and it can easily be treated in the earlier stages. Here is some more information about cavities. Symptoms of cavities While cavities do not start out with a lot of pain, there are other symptoms, which may characterize their presence such as: Feeling sensitivity in a particular tooth Having a lot of pain in one tooth Having a visible hole in the tooth Stained tooth, which is either black or white Causes and risk factors of cavities Sugary food and bad dental hygiene are leading causes of getting cavities.

According to studies that have been conducted over the years, 45,000 cases of squamous cell carcinoma in the oral cavity and the throat are reported in the United States every year. As a result, 8,000 deaths from the condition are reported each year. Diagnosis of the condition in its early stages plays a major role in the success rate of its treatment. Despite advanced treatment opportunities available in the field now, the 5-year survival rate of patients in advanced or moderate stages is less than 60%. Therefore, it is immensely important to diagnose oral cancer in its early stages, for which a thorough oral cancer examination is needed. A screening at every dental visit can catch all problems at their nascent stage and help you get timely treatment. The oral cancer examination procedure can be divided into two parts—the extraoral examination and the intraoral examination. Here’s the complete procedure explained in 9 steps. Extra-oral examination Face Any asymmetries, mass development, swelling, or discoloration on the face is examined. Any pigmented, ulcerated, raised, or firm areas of the skin of the face and scalp is also screened. Eyes The extraocular movement of the eye is checked in every direction in order to examine the cranial nerve.