By Leo Cora
Proper oral hygiene habits and periodic dental checkups are critical for keeping your teeth and gums in good health. Unfortunately, many people continue to ignore early symptoms and warning signs of dental concerns, only to deal with complications later. In this post, we will discuss six such concerns with causes and when you should visit your Oshawa dentist office.
Tooth decay
Plaque buildup often leads to decay and cavities, and this is probably one of the most common dental concerns. Almost all adults experience dental decay at some point. Decay occurs when acids in the plaque impact the enamel of a tooth, exposing the dentin underneath. If the damage is deep, it eventually leads to the infection of the pulp and blood vessels inside the tooth. There are several telltale signs of cavities, such as changes in a tooth’s appearance, pain, and sensitivity to hot and cold foods. If the cavity isn’t deep, your dentist may repair the tooth with a filling. More extensive procedures, such as root canal therapy, are required for an infected tooth.
Gum disease
Also known as periodontal disease, gum disease is common among adults over 40. While there are risk factors such as diabetes and age, the condition is often related to poor oral hygiene habits. Early signs of gum disease, also called gingivitis, include bad breath, bleeding gums, inflammation, and pain while chewing and eating. In more advanced stages, gum disease can cause gum recession, exposing tooth roots and ultimately causing tooth loss. Early intervention can reverse gum disease. If you have plaque and tartar buildup, your dentist may suggest treatments such as scaling and root planing. In some cases, topical antibiotics are recommended. If a patient has advanced gum recession, they may need a gum graft.
Bad breath
Also called halitosis, persistent bad breath is often a symptom of an underlying problem. Halitosis could be related to poor oral hygiene, medications, dry mouth, decay, acid reflux, or infection. If you have bad breath, your dentist will usually try to find the cause and plan the treatment accordingly. For example, when a patient has halitosis because of decay, they may repair the tooth first.
Sensitivity
You may experience sensitivity to cold and hot foods if your teeth enamel has eroded. Some patients have mild sensitivity, while others may find it hard to enjoy most foods. One of the common causes of sensitivity is tooth decay. Other risk factors include deep infection, gum disease, damaged restorations, gum recession, and corrosion of enamel. The treatment largely depends on the cause, but treatments include fillings, bonding, crowns, and root canal therapy. Your dentist may also suggest halitosis designed for sensitive teeth if you have thin enamel.
Cracked tooth
Cracks in a tooth are often related to injury and chewing on hard foods. Some cracks aren’t deep and don’t require treatments, but if the damage extends to the gumline or affects the pulp, immediate intervention is necessary. Don’t wait to see a dentist if you have a cracked or fractured tooth. They will check the condition and recommend options such as crowns, fillings, or veneers. If the concerns are mostly cosmetic, veneers are enough.
Receding Gums
The last one on this list is receding gums, also called gingival recession. It happens when gum tissues push back, making teeth appear longer than usual. Many patients don’t have any signs of receding gums, which is why regular dental checkups are necessary. Gum recession is often related to over-brushing, gum disease, and poor oral hygiene. Treatments may vary, but extreme cases require gum grafting.
Check with your dentist in Oshawa if you have any of the above problems.
