Are you worried about the state of your teeth and mouth? Are you not familiar with the most common oral diseases that can strike you? Well, this guide will turn you into a dental expert ready to combat all dental problems!
Bad breath
Halitosis aka bad breath is an oral disease that is not only very embarrassing, but can also be a sign of other dental issues. As a matter of fact, around 85% of people who suffer from bad breath have underlying dental conditions that cause it. The usual culprits are gum disease, tooth decay, mouth bacteria, dry mouth or even oral cancer. So, if you want to get rid of bad breath, make sure to visit your dentist and take care of these dental issues.
Gum disease
Gum disease is usually an infection that is caused by bacteria that attack gums, bone and the ligaments of your teeth. In its early stage, gum disease is called gingivitis and its late stage is periodontitis. Unfortunately, according to some estimates, almost half of adults have some form of gingivitis or at least signs they will suffer gum disease in the future. People who are especially prone to gum issues are those with poor oral hygiene, smokers, drug users, diabetics and pregnant women. However, both gingivitis and periodontitis can be cured by improved oral health, deep teeth cleaning and prescribed meds that will stop the infection.
Tooth decay
Caries, cavities or simply tooth decay is caused by bacteria that linger on your teeth and start destroying the surface. Even though everyone can develop cavities, kids and seniors are more prone to this oral issue. Older individuals are especially prone to decay that develops near the root because the gum tissue pulls up or disappears. To prevent cavities make sure to brush regularly with fluoride toothpaste and use floss after meals. Tooth sealants can also be helpful, especially to kids. People who have dry mouth can benefit from regular fluoride treatments and appropriate mouthwash.
Enamel erosion
If your teeth are often exposed to bubbly or citrusy drinks, the acid in them can wear down the tooth surface and cause discoloration. Wine experts also often suffer from enamel erosion and so do individuals who brush aggressively. Luckily, your teeth can be restored with bonding materials, but if you want to prevent further damage, make sure to ditch soft and acidic drinks. You can also visit your dentist and get a good brushing training that will teach you how to properly brush and floss. Switching to a soft bristle brush or an electric brush can also prevent aggressive tooth brushing.
Tooth sensitivity
One of the most common problems (and quite an uncomfortable one) is tooth sensitivity. This issue affects millions of people of all ages and lifestyles and it involves discomfort or even sharp pain in the teeth when eating sweets and cold or hot drinks and food. Some people even feel this discomfort while breathing in cold air, brushing or rinsing! Luckily, this issue can be prevented and treated. Make sure to keep your tooth enamel healthy, make sure your gums are not pulling up and check for any cracked teeth or filling.
Tooth loss
One of the most serious dental problems is tooth loss. It’s usually caused by bad dental care, not brushing, untreated gum disease or even diabetes. You can prevent losing teeth by making regular visits to your dentist and conducting appropriate oral hygiene. Unfortunately, if you happen to lose teeth, they will never grow back. However, there are amazing dental implants like All On 4 that will replace all your lost teeth and provide you with a movie star smile! All of these implants are highly personalized and fitted for your mouth. They are much more practical than dentures and can be a solution even if you have no teeth at all (dentures require some teeth to hold the artificial ones in place).
Dry mouth
Xerostomia or simply dry mouth is an extremely uncomfortable oral issue that occurs when the saliva flow is decreased. This makes for that dry feeling in the mouth and provides a perfect environment for cavities and bad breath. People who take diuretics and antidepressants often report mouth dryness, as well as women in menopause. So, make sure to stock up on sugarless gum, avoid alcohol, smoking and coffee and drink at least 8 glasses of water a day. There are also rinses and mouth gels that can improve saliva flow and help keep salivary glands healthy.
Yellow teeth
Even though it doesn’t hurt and doesn’t affect tooth function, yellow teeth look unattractive and many people want to have that white, movie star smile. Major culprits for yellow teeth are red wine, coffee and tobacco, but some teeth naturally have a yellowish color that can’t be removed by ditching certain foods or drinks and stopping smoking. However, there are various ways you can whiten your teeth, from laser treatments to whitening toothpaste and strips. Consult your dentist about the best options for you.
A few tweaks to your habits, better oral hygiene and regular visits to the dentist can help you battle these nasty dental issues and ensure you have strong, healthy and pearly white teeth!