For many Americans, a trip to the dentist is not at the top of the todo list. Whether you buy into stereotypes about the horrors of the dentist’s office, find oral hygiene work invasive, or are simply just self-conscious about the condition of your gums and teeth, you shouldn’t let it stop you from working to take better care of your mouth and address common dental problems.
How To Address 3 Of The Most Common Dental Problems
At Concord Smile in the Bay Area, we are general dentistry and cosmetic dentistry specialists who see people every day who are working to address common dental problems like tooth decay and gum disease. We provide gentle, yet effective dental care to help restore your mouth to a healthy place, so you can smile with confidence once again.
In today’s blog from Concord Smile, we will take a look at three of the most common dental problems we see and discuss what you can to address them.
Gum Disease
Gum disease begins to take place when the unhealthy bacteria in your mouth becomes an infection. This infection, often distinguished by high levels of plaque buildup, creates acids that eat away at your gums, causing inflammation and irritation. However, if left unchecked, these are the least of your worries. Given time, serious gum disease can actually cause the loss of your gum lining and the loosening, or even loss, of your teeth.
If caught in time, gum disease can be reversed through regular cleanings and improved dental care habits. However, if it is in its later stages, more drastic measures, including periodontal surgery can be necessary.
Tooth Decay
Tooth decay happens for many of the same reasons that gum disease does: plaque and germs build-up to unhealthy levels and cause harmful imbalances in your mouth’s natural organic chemistry. However, unlike gum disease, tooth decay is the result of plaque and acid eating away at your actual teeth instead of your gum lining.
Tooth decay leads to reduced enamel — the protective coating on your teeth — leaving the actual bone of your tooth exposed to the deteriorating effects of the germy acid in your mouth. Although it is not the only cause of cavities, it is one of the leading causes.
The best way to handle tooth decay with preventative measures such as a regular and home care routine and regular cleanings, and like the gum disease, these are actually also the treatment methods for early-stage tooth decay.
For more advanced cases, fillings, pulled teeth, veneers, root canals, or even crowns may be needed to reconstitute a tooth and prevent even more extensive and dangerous damage.
Root Infections
It should come as no surprise that root infections in your teeth — deep penetration of bacteria into the root system of your tooth — are caused by the same culprits as gum disease and tooth decay. Root infections are hard to ignore as they are often quite painful, prohibiting chewing and even making your tooth sensitive to hot and cold foods. Once a root infection has taken place, you will need a root canal.
Stop Common Dental Problems Before They Start
The main takeaway here is that poor dental care can lead to lots of different issues. Stop common dental problems before they start and schedule your next cleaning and check-up with the friendly family dentists at Concord Smile today.