Teeth are the hardest part of the human body, but that doesn’t make them immune to health issues or trauma.
Your teeth can be pretty troublesome, actually. They take a lot of strain, a lot of pressure, and a lot of chewing!
How will you know if something is wrong with your oral health? Don’t skip your dental appointments, and keep your eyes out for these top dentistry issues.
- Tooth Decay
Tooth decay is one of the most common dental issues. You’ve heard of it as cavities.
Tooth decay occurs when plaque stays on the tooth from not brushing or flossing correctly. The plaque has bacteria in it that produces an acid that eats away at your tooth enamel.
The extent of one’s tooth decay depends on their lifestyle and habits, as well as their oral health routine. A diet rich in sugary drinks and foods is more likely to procure cavities.
The best way to approach tooth decay is to prevent it. A healthy diet, good oral hygiene, and regular dental exams can help keep cavities and plaque under control.
If you do get a cavity, be sure that you have it treated by a dentist, likely with a filling. If you leave your tooth to decay, an infection may develop and you may eventually need the tooth pulled.
- Gum Disease
Gum disease, or periodontal disease, is a bacterial infection in the gums. Symptoms include swollen gums, bleeding gums, sensitive teeth, bad breath, and red gums.
Anyone can get gum disease, but the risk increases with age. Smokers are at a higher risk, as well as those with diabetes.
Gum disease is a major cause of tooth loss, so it is important to catch it early with a regular dental appointment.
- Tooth Infection
Another commonly seen dentistry issue is a tooth infection. A tooth infection happens when the root of the tooth is infected with bacteria. You may have heard of this as a root canal infection.
Signs of an infected root canal include ongoing pain, tooth sensitivity, swelling, tenderness, and small bumps on the gums.
A tooth infection may be caused by many factors, including tooth decay and tooth trauma. You’ll need to address the infection before it becomes more serious and spreads.
You’ll most likely need a root canal to clean out the tooth infection. This involves a painless procedure that cleans out the nerves and roots of your tooth. You’ll likely need a crown or other fixture to preserve the tooth afterward.
- Tooth Sensitivity
Tooth sensitivity can be caused by a variety of factors, one of the most common being worn enamel.
Tooth sensitivity can be a sign of something more serious, so it should always be mentioned to your dentist. If you experience tooth sensitivity, schedule an appointment with your dentist as soon as possible.
- Oral Cancer
The C-word. This is one of the more serious dentistry issues on our list.
It is essential that you remain vigilant and keep an eye out for oral cancer symptoms, though they remain few and far between. You should keep an eye out for growths or small lumps inside the mouth.
Oral cancer has a 60% survival rate, and early detection is the key to stop the spread of cancer.
Since oral cancer is so deadly and it is hard to recognize in early stages, it is critical that you regularly see your dentist for a check-up.
Keep an Eye on These Dentistry Issues
The only thing you can do to keep your mouth healthy is to be vigilant about dentistry issues. Know the signs and symptoms of the most common dental problems, and make sure to see your dentist on a regular basis.
Are you looking for more articles like this? Check out the rest of our website for more where that came from.
Leave A Comment