You might be well aware of how dentists often urge their patients to take care of their smiles. There is such importance placed on brushing and flossing, as they remove plaque that can spell trouble for your grin. But what issues exactly are they preventing? Here are three prevalent ones that people often face, and why they can be bad news.
1.) Dental Decay
Cavities are considered to be the “most common health condition.” It’s estimated that 92% of 20 and 65-year-olds had at least one at some point. Decay can happen because of the bacteria on your grin. When they eat sugar and starches, they produce an acid that erodes your teeth. When this happens, you may develop tooth sensitivity to hot and cold foods.
If you have a cavity, then it can’t heal on its own. It will continue to worsen and progress until it reaches the inner pulp and causes an infection. This then turns into a dental emergency that leads to severe discomfort and even tooth loss. The sooner you catch this issue, the better.
2.) Periodontal Disease
Also known as gum disease, this condition is an infection in the soft tissues of your mouth. It’s estimated that nearly half of adults over 30 in the U.S. have some form of it. This one is broken down into stages. It starts as gingivitis, which can cause noticeable redness, inflammation, and bleeding when brushing and flossing. When treated at this point, any damage done can oftentimes be reversed.
When left untreated, it will then turn into periodontitis. Your gums may start to recede, which can make your teeth feel a bit wobbly or cause them to come out in severe cases. At this point, your dentist will manage the infection so it doesn’t worsen. With routine checkups, you can avoid this from happening and spot the early warning signs sooner.
3.) Oral Cancer
Oral cancer is one of the scarier dental problems because it can be life-threatening when left to its own devices. Nearly 53,000 patients in the U.S. are diagnosed with it every year. It can also affect anyone, but there are certain risk factors associated with it, such as smoking and excessive alcohol consumption.
This condition manifests differently per person, but you may have a small red or white bump that persists for longer than two weeks. You might also feel pain in your jaw or tongue, or have trouble opening and closing your mouth. Regardless, your dentist can perform screenings at your semi-annual cleanings to detect it early. The quicker it’s spotted and treated, the higher the chance you have of a successful recovery.
The three oral health issues above are just a few that people experience. There are several more, like bad breath, dry mouth, and teeth grinding or clenching. Regardless, your dentist is here to make sure your smile is in great shape; that way, you avoid any worries and flaunt a confident grin.
About the Author
Dr. Natalya Ramsay earned her dental degree from the Oregon Health and Science University School of Dentistry. She is dedicated to helping the McMinnville community get the stronger teeth and gums they deserve with preventive care. By having routine visits, Dr. Ramsay can walk you through your oral health and make sure it’s pristine. Better yet, any problems can be fixed right away. If you want to make sure your grin is pristine, schedule an appointment or call our office at (503) 472-1402.