Dental health is extremely important. This is not breaking news. But whilst we all know that taking care of our teeth and mouths is crucial to our overall health and wellbeing, we don’t always listen to the warning signs until it’s too late. So if you’ve got a niggling feeling that something’s just not quite right with your teeth, check out these four very common dental issues so you can get things sorted!
Cavities
Otherwise known as tooth decay, cavities are a very common dental problem. Cavities are caused when sugar and starches from the food we eat interacts with plaque that forms on our teeth. The result is the formation of acid which attacks our tooth enamel.
Many people mistakenly think that cavities only affect children but this is not the case. Cavities or tooth decay can occur at any age, especially if you have a poor diet full of sugary drinks and snacks.
Avoiding cavities is fairly simple. Keep sugary drinks to a minimum (or abandon completely if possible) and avoid a regular intake of sugary foods. But of course, diet alone won’t prevent tooth decay. In order to keep the enamel of your teeth intact you need to maintain a regular and rigorous cleaning routine. This involves brushing your teeth thoroughly twice a day, flossing once a day and visiting your dentist regularly for check-ups.
Gum Disease
Gum disease is one of the major causes of tooth loss for adults. It’s essentially an infection of the gums surrounding the teeth. It’s very common amongst adults and usually occurs after age 30. Smoking is considered a huge contributor to gum disease and diabetes and dry mouth have also been linked.
Symptoms of gum disease include tender, swollen, red or bleeding gums, sensitive teeth, painful chewing and bad breath. Like most dental issues, brushing twice a day, flossing daily and visiting the dentist regularly are all key to preventing gum disease.
If it’s too late for prevention and you believe you have gum disease, then visit your dentist as soon as possible. They will be able to give you advice and gum disease treatment to prevent complications such as tooth loss.
Bad Breath
Bad breath is a lot more common than you think. A lot of people suffer from bad breath and it can be due to a variety of factors. Often, bad breath is the symptom of another issues as opposed to an issue in itself. Bad breath can be a symptom of a number of different dental issues such as bacteria on the tongue, gum disease, cavities and oral cancer.
Of course, brushing and flossing regularly will help you to maintain a healthy mouth but if the bad breath persists despite this routine, consult your dentist to rule out anything serious.
Sensitive Teeth
This is a very common issue that can cause discomfort when your teeth come into contact with sweets, drinks, ice cream or even cold air. Some people even find brushing and flossing to be painful with sensitive teeth.
Sensitive can sometimes be a sign of a cracked tooth or tooth abscess but more often than not it’s something simple that can easily be treated. If you suddenly start experiencing tooth sensitivity, make an appointment with your dentist to get to the root of the issue.
Conclusion
Dental issues come and go, and as we get older some issues may occur more often. The key to good dental hygiene is of course to brush and floss regularly but remember that having regular appointments with your dentist is also extremely important.
If you’re worried about a particular dental issue or have recently experienced some new symptoms, consult your dentist. If caught early, most dental issues are fairly straight forward to treat but if they are left untreated, they can escalate to bigger issues and could ultimately result in tooth loss. So when it comes to dental issues, always play itself with regular check-ups at the dentist.
A professional writer with over a decade of incessant writing skills. Her topics of interest and expertise range from health, nutrition and psychology.