# Glossary: terms defined only by quoting their source

> A list of the terms that recur on this site. Each one is defined by quoting a named institution word for word, in the language of the page, with the document and the date we read it recorded at the foot.

- Language: English
- Page: https://smilehandbook.com/en/glossary/
- Français: https://smilehandbook.com/fr/glossaire/
- العربية: https://smilehandbook.com/ar/glossary/
- All published pages: https://smilehandbook.com/llms-full.txt

Every term below is defined by quoting a named institution, in the language of this page, word for word. Nothing here is written in our own voice, because a definition in our own voice would be our claim rather than a record of someone else's. Where no such wording could be found, the term is left out. The source and the day we read it are listed at the foot of the page. A closing section below quotes the same source on causes, prevention and access, and defines nothing.

## Dental caries — tooth decay

According to the World Health Organization: "Dental caries results when plaque forms on the surface of a tooth and converts the free sugars (all sugars added to foods by the manufacturer, cook or consumer, plus sugars naturally present in honey, syrups and fruit juices) contained in foods and drinks into acids that destroy the tooth over time."

## Periodontal disease — gum disease

According to the World Health Organization: "Periodontal disease affects the tissues that both surround and support the teeth. The disease is characterized by bleeding or swollen gums (gingivitis), pain and sometimes bad breath."

## Edentulism — total tooth loss

According to the World Health Organization: "Losing teeth is generally the end point of a lifelong history of oral disease, mainly advanced dental caries and severe periodontal disease, but can also be due to trauma and other causes."

## Oral cancer

According to the World Health Organization: "Oral cancer includes cancers of the lip, other parts of the mouth and the oropharynx".

## Oro-dental trauma

According to the World Health Organization: "Oro-dental trauma results from injury to the teeth, mouth and oral cavity."

## Noma

According to the World Health Organization: "Noma is a severe gangrenous disease of the mouth and the face."

## Cleft lip and palate

According to the World Health Organization, orofacial clefts are "the most common of craniofacial birth defects".

## Not definitions — the same document on causes, prevention and access

According to the World Health Organization: "Most oral health conditions are largely preventable and can be treated in their early stages."

According to the World Health Organization: "Most oral diseases and conditions share modifiable risk factors such as tobacco use, alcohol consumption and an unhealthy diet high in free sugars".

According to the World Health Organization: "Adequate exposure to fluoride is an essential factor in the prevention of dental caries."

According to the World Health Organization: "Oral diseases disproportionately affect the poor and socially disadvantaged members of society."

According to the World Health Organization: "Unequal distribution of oral health professionals and a lack of appropriate health facilities to meet population needs in most countries means that access to primary oral health services is often low."

## Sources used on this page

- World Health Organization — Oral health, fact sheet, Dental caries (tooth decay), 2025-03-17 · https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/oral-health
- World Health Organization — Oral health, fact sheet, Periodontal (gum) disease, 2025-03-17 · https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/oral-health
- World Health Organization — Oral health, fact sheet, Edentulism (total tooth loss), 2025-03-17 · https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/oral-health
- World Health Organization — Oral health, fact sheet, Oral cancer, 2025-03-17 · https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/oral-health
- World Health Organization — Oral health, fact sheet, Oro-dental trauma, 2025-03-17 · https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/oral-health
- World Health Organization — Oral health, fact sheet, Noma, 2025-03-17 · https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/oral-health
- World Health Organization — Oral health, fact sheet, Cleft lip and palate, 2025-03-17 · https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/oral-health
- World Health Organization — Oral health, fact sheet, Overview, 2025-03-17 · https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/oral-health
- World Health Organization — Oral health, fact sheet, Risk factors, 2025-03-17 · https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/oral-health
- World Health Organization — Oral health, fact sheet, Prevention, 2025-03-17 · https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/oral-health
- World Health Organization — Oral health, fact sheet, Oral health inequalities, 2025-03-17 · https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/oral-health
- World Health Organization — Oral health, fact sheet, Access to oral health services, 2025-03-17 · https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/oral-health