Three Common Dental Problems And How To Prevent Or Treat Them

Dental medicine has improved so much that if you take care of your teeth starting at an early age, they should last a lifetime. Along with brushing and flossing, you should make regular visits to your dentist for cleanings and examinations to catch any dental problems in their early stages. Here are some of the most common dental problems and what you can do to prevent them.

Cavities

Cavities, or tooth decay, occur when you eat starch or sugar laden foods and do not brush your teeth after you eat. If you allow food debris to stay on your teeth, plaque builds up, which leads to tooth decay. Both children and older people are more prone to cavities due to poor dental hygiene. For older people, the gums have begun to pull away from their teeth.

The key to preventing cavities is to regularly brush your teeth with a fluoride toothpaste or gel. While it is a good idea to brush after eating sugary or starchy foods, you should at least rinse your mouth with either water or a fluoride mouthwash. Then, brush your teeth in the morning and before bed to remove bacteria that can lead to plaque.

Gum Diseases

Plaque that accumulates on your teeth can attack the gums, bones and ligaments of your mouth and cause gum disease. The early stage of gum disease is known as gingivitis, which can happen to anyone. The people most susceptible to gum disease are those with poor oral hygiene habits, people with diseases like diabetes, those who are under stress, and smokers.

While brushing and flossing can help reverse gingivitis, you can also schedule a visit with a dentist at an Applecross dental care clinic, especially if your gums feel tender or bleed when you brush them. Your dentist may suggest a deep cleaning for your teeth to help remove plaque build-up. However, if there has been damage to the gums or bones, you may need to have oral surgery for a gum graft.

Bad Breath

While there are various reasons for bad breath, it can originate from dental problems. You may have tooth decay that is causing a foul odour in your mouth. Poor oral hygiene habits can cause it as well. Another dental problem, dry mouth, can also lead to bad breath.

Before consulting with your dentist, try brushing and flossing your teeth more often to help reduce occurrences of bad breath. Often it is caused by food particles that are stuck in your teeth and are decaying. In addition, brush your tongue to remove food particles or any build-up, which often appears white, to help reduce bad breath.

Dentists will examine your mouth for decay if you cannot reduce bad breath by brushing and flossing. They will check for reduced saliva production, which causes dry mouth. They may prescribe an artificial saliva to help with dry mouth and reduce bad breath. With good oral hygiene habits and regular visits to your dentist, you can prevent or correct most common dental problems.