If you try to find someone who’s never suffered a dental problem of some sort, you’ll likely be looking for a while. That’s because dental issues in the United States are a common problem. In most cases, these ailments can be easily treated. But what happens when these routine red flags of your dental health are ignored?
Here are five common teeth and mouth complaints and what happens if you don’t take action.
Small Cavities Lead to Big Problems
Research estimates that almost 100% of the population will have a cavity at some point in their lives. So, if you find yourself battling tooth decay, you’re certainly not alone. This common dental problem is the result of the enamel of the tooth being eroded away.
The enamel, or protective barrier of the tooth, can be damaged by plaque buildup from lack of routine care, consistent ingestion of sweet or acidic food, or even genetic predisposition to decay.
Regardless of the cause, tooth decay should be addressed by your dentist as soon as possible. Cavities left untreated will continue to worsen, paving the way for infection, pain and tooth loss. It can also spread to other parts of the body causing health complications.
All of which can be avoided and corrected with a filling.
From Gum Disease to Disaster
Gum disease is another common ailment plaguing dental patients. In these cases, the buildup of plaque around the gumline can cause swelling, sensitivity, or even infection. Untreated gum disease can have extreme consequences such as gum recession that may require grafting to correct, or even tooth loss in the most dire cases.
With so many new procedures and treatments that address gum disease as well as gum recession, it’s easy to maintain healthy gums.
Halitosis Affects More than Your Breath
Halitosis, the clinical term for bad breath, is an embarrassing condition that affects a large chunk of the population. While it may not lead to long-term health problems, it can affect your self-esteem and desire to socialize out of shame.
If you find you can’t control your bad breath with at home methods, there may be an underlying issue that requires treatment by a dentist to rid you of your annoyance once and for all.
The Effects of Grinding your Teeth
Grinding or clenching, also known as bruxism, typically occur in your sleep, and both place a huge amount of pressure on your teeth. Over time, this consistent pressure can lead to eroding away of molars or cracked teeth. In extreme cases, bones can begin to grow on the bottom of the mouth that can eventually lead to discomfort, speech issues, and other difficulties.
Dentists can help stop the damage that grinding your teeth may cause with customized mouth guards or retainers to be used when you sleep.
Tooth Injuries May Have Lasting Effects
Acute injuries are a problem seen in dental offices across the country every day. Whether it’s a child who took a fall in the driveway to an adult who bit down on a hard piece of candy, tooth chips and cracks can happen to anyone at any time. Even if the injury doesn’t have lasting pain, it’s important to see your dentist right away.
For example, a currently chipped tooth that doesn’t have the root exposed may not be causing you any discomfort. But now that tooth is susceptible to further damage, so lack of treatment could cost you in the long run.
Cosmetic issues from tooth discoloration, nerve damage, sensitivity and even biting and chewing can result from an ignored tooth injury.
The Link Between Oral & Heart Health
Many patients are shocked to realize that there is a direct relationship between your oral health and your heart health! Poor oral hygiene can lead to the issues mentioned above, as well as bacteria that can then enter your blood.
When this bacteria travels to the heart, it can damage ventricles, blood vessels, and other structures that can lead to heart problems. Patients with a personal or family history of heart disease should be particularly careful to pay attention to their oral health.
Preventative Measures
Good oral care begins at home. It’s important to practice good habits such as brushing at least twice per day for two minutes, flossing, and using mouthwash. Additionally, patients can avoid foods that commonly degrade tooth enamel such as coffee, acids, and sugars.
Thankfully, we are also here to offer preventative measures that will keep your smile healthy! Maintaining routine dental cleanings with one of our fabulous hygienists will help prevent plaque buildup. Additionally, it gives our dentists an opportunity to examine your mouth to catch any issues early on.
We are also happy to assist you in dealing with the jaw pain, headaches, and tooth sensitivity that comes with grinding and clenching by fitting you with a custom mouth guard.
Cosmetic and Restorative Dental Care for a Strong and Healthy Smile
If you’ve experienced any or all the above, then you are in good company as dentists all over the country see these problems daily. Our expert dental team at Sedki Dentistry in Commerce Twp is equipped to form a quick and efficient treatment plan that will get your smile back on track and prevent some of the catastrophic issues that arise from ignoring your dental problems.
Not experiencing any issues at the moment? That’s great! Give our Commerce Dental office a call to schedule your routine cleaning to keep it that way!