Dental health is key to your overall well-being. Without healthy teeth, it can be hard to get adequate nutrition, and tooth issues can cause pain and secondary health risks. You need to know which dental health issues are the reason for getting assistance and supportive care from a dentist in Buckhead.
This guide will help you to be aware of the various common dental health concerns that require a visit with a professional care team. Knowing when to seek support for your dental well-being is important to avoid long-term dental health issues that can be easily avoided.
Common Dental Health Problems You Shouldn’t Ignore
1. Tooth Decay
This is the most familiar subject that comes up when talking about dental health. Cavities can seem like they are just an inconvenience, and many people think that they can wait until they have the money or time to deal with an annoying cavity.
The reality is that tooth decay can undermine the teeth around the affected tooth and it can also cause gum health issues that are very serious. Additionally, a single cavity is often just the first sign of other dental health issues that need to be addressed.
Common symptoms of tooth decay are bad breath, black or brown spots on your teeth, an unpleasant taste in the mouth, and pain. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, you shouldn’t wait to make an appointment with your dentist. The sooner a cavity is dealt with, the more likely it will be that the fix for your issue will be simple and straightforward.
- Gum Disease
Gingivitis is the earliest stage of gum disease, but this bacterial infection can lead to significant plaque build-up over time. Red, swollen gums that bleed easily are the first symptom of gum disease. After this early warning sign, you might notice loose teeth, shrinking and receding gums, and persistent bad breath.
Gum disease can also damage your jawbone and it can affect every tooth in your mouth. Once the condition is advanced enough, it can lead to a body-wide infection that can threaten your life. Advanced gum disease will require a visit to a specialist who works on this kind of health concern specifically, but a dentist can handle the treatment that you need in the early stages.
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3. Bad Breath
Bad breath (halitosis) is one of the most common dental health issues that is ignored by patients. While embarrassing, this condition is often written off as no big deal to your overall dental health and well-being. This is actually not the case, as severe bad breath can be linked with a variety of significant health concerns, as well as being a potential symptom for tooth decay or gum disease.
Bad breath can be linked with medications, but it can also be a sign of an infection, severe acid reflux, or even certain types of cancer. If you brush and floss and you still have very bad breath, you need to make sure to make an appointment with your dentist right away.
4. Cracked or Broken Teeth
It’s no secret that people don’t like to go to the dentist to have drilling or filling done on teeth that have been damaged. It can be scary to sit down on a chair and subject yourself to this kind of treatment. However, cracked or broken teeth can be the gateway for severe and life-threatening infections if they are not treated. You will also likely be in a significant amount of pain if you have this kind of oral health issue.
Make sure that you have even the smallest chips or cracks in your teeth attended to as soon as possible. Your teeth cannot remain healthy if they are open to infection, and you need to take the time to have someone apply a solution like a veneer, crown, or filling to resolve this issue right away.
5. Teeth Grinding
Many people are not aware of how much damage can be caused to their teeth just by grinding while sleeping or even while awake. Grinding your teeth can lead to jaw pain, TMJ issues, and destruction of the enamel on your teeth. People might grind their teeth when they are stressed, but often, this kind of issue happens during the hours that you are asleep.
Mouthguards and other treatments exist to help manage this kind of health concern. Protecting your teeth from damage related to tooth grinding is easier than you might think, and you might also be able to eliminate daily headaches and TMJ pain just by using a mouthguard every night.
6. Sensitive Teeth
Your teeth can become sensitive for a variety of reasons, but typically, it is due to the enamel on your teeth being damaged or wearing away. Acidic foods, health issues, and medications can lead to this issue, which can cause your teeth to be sensitive and open to decay and cavities.
Your dentist can recommend ways to help protect your remaining enamel and prevent the daily discomfort that is associated with sensitive teeth. While this might seem like a mild inconvenience to you, it can be a sign of more significant health issues that need to be addressed.
