Your oral health is so important because of the direct connection it has to many other parts of your body’s well-being. When something goes wrong with your oral health, you’ll want to know what signs to look out for. That being said, if you are regularly brushing, flossing, and making visits to the dentist then most of these issues will be discovered and taken care of quickly and efficiently.
Signs To Watch Out For:
-
- Bad Breath lasting for an extended period of time can indicate a cavity, gingivitis, or worse depending on its level of potency.
- Tooth Pain in one or more teeth one of the most common symptoms of a cavity
- Tooth Stains – Staining on teeth appears as distinct white spots and usually becomes darker and more prevalent as decay worsens.
- A Hole or Pit in Your Tooth – Stained areas of teeth can eventually deteriorate from a spot to an actual hole in your tooth if left untreated. Though not always in a visible spot, you may be able to feel the hole or feel extra sensitivity in the affected area.
These signs usually only involve a cavity or the beginning of gingivitis. There are still some more serious conditions to look out for. If you experience any of these symptoms we recommend scheduling an appointment with your dentist as soon as possible. The earlier these more serious issues are caught, the easier and less costly it will be to repair your smile.
Some More Serious Signs To Look For:
- Lasting oral ulcers, sores, or other distinctly sensitive areas of the mouth which do not go away within the span of a couple of weeks.
- Receding Gums
- Bleeding, Swollen, or Painful gums after brushing or flossing.
- Extreme sensitivity to hot and cold foods that weren’t present before.
If you contain multiple of the symptoms listed above or they are accompanied by a fever, lasting pain, or severe swelling, we suggest scheduling an emergency appointment to resolve your discomfort and help create a better quality of life for you.
Issues Linked To Poor Oral Health
Conditions Linked To Worsening Oral Health- Some medical issues can lead to a greater chance of poor oral health. Among these include obesity & eating disorders, diabetes, STDs, osteoporosis, and Alzheimer’s Disease. Be sure to communicate with your dentist if any of these conditions affect you so they can help craft the best oral health plan to best suit your needs.
Conditions Oral Health Causes/Escalates – Some diseases and conditions have been found to have a direct correlation with negative oral health. Among these include heart disease, high blood pressure, pneumonia, and pregnancy complications. This is why it is so important to try and keep your oral health up to par.
Pro Tips To Preventing Oral Health Issues
- Brush And Floss: Twice a day for brushing, once for flossing. This is common advice but is also the ultimate way to prevent any type of oral health issue.
- Decrease Sugar Intake: While sugar itself isn’t inherently bad, the bacteria that forms in your mouth when sugar is consumed is.
- Avoid tobacco products
- Drink plenty of water: Fluoridated water is recommended for optimal tooth protection.
- Seek Professional Dental Care: As with brushing and flossing, making regularly scheduled visits to the dentist a part of your routine (even if it’s only twice a year)
