How Do I Know Whether I Have a Serious Dental Problem?
Oral and dental health is such an important aspect of your overall wellness. If you have poor dental hygiene habits, over time it can develop into some serious issues, such as gum disease and deeply rooted cavities. To keep your teeth clean and strong, you must spend time every day towards their care. This means brushing twice a day and flossing at least once to get the leftover food that can get crammed between teeth. If you take the advice of your dentist, then you can help prevent yourself from dealing with expensive dental procedures and long-term health problems.
What are the chances that I could have a serious dental issue?
If you brush and floss your teeth daily, in addition to limiting your sugar intake, then you are already decreasing your chances of developing a serious dental issue. Statistically, most adults will have at least one cavity in their lifetime. Around 1 in every 3 people globally between 65-74 don’t have any natural teeth. More than 50% (to upwards of 90%) of children in school will have at least one cavity. And in most countries around the world, up to 10 people out of 100,000 are diagnosed with oral cancer.
What other steps can I take to keep my teeth healthy?
Aside from just flossing and brushing daily, there are other tactics you can use to lessen your chances of having to deal with a dental problem later on in life. If you are concerned about your oral health, you may want to visit a dentist as soon as you are available and consider abiding by these steps:
- Eating a diet that is high in vegetables and fruit
- Avoiding putting tobacco products into your system
- Drinking water with fluoride
- Seeing a dentist twice a year for routine cleanings and exams
- Reducing your level of sugar intake
- Brushing teeth with fluoride toothpaste
What are the signs that I need to see a dentist?
Don’t wait to see your dentist until you have pain, discomfort, or other symptoms. It is recommended that everyone, symptoms or not, see a dentist twice a year. However, if you are experiencing any of the following, then you should reserve a dentist appointment with more of a sense of urgency:
- Receding gums
- Ulcers/sores in the mouth that haven’t healed after 2 weeks
- Tender areas of the mouth
- Swollen or bleeding gums after flossing or brushing
- Bad breath that is chronic
- Teeth falling out
- Persistent dry mouth
- Toothaches or other pain in the mouth
- Sudden sensitivity to temperatures that are hot or cold
- Pain when eating
- Swelling of the cheek/face
- Jaw clicking
- Broken or cracked teeth
If any of these symptoms are combined with facial/neck swelling or a high fever, then go to the nearest emergency room right away.
If you are worried about having a serious dental disease, then it’s time to book a consultation with a dentist in Morrisville, NC. The longer you wait, the more severe the condition can become.
Thanks to Alliance Dentistry for their insight into dentistry and serious dental problems.