Among your other routines, you likely look after your smile. You may even remember to brush twice daily and floss once daily. Still, home dental care isn’t enough to keep your mouth safe. You should also see a dentist for regular checkups; they’ll help you avoid common oral health issues. To learn the details, just let your Springfield dental practice explain. So, read on to learn four typical dental problems and how dentists prevent them.
Gum Disease
Per its name, gum disease is a severe gum tissue infection. It’s typically caused by gumline plaque irritating your mouth. When that irritation occurs, you can develop a mild inflammation (gingivitis) that eventually reaches an advanced stage (periodontitis.)
Thankfully, dentists can easily keep gum disease at bay. Seeing them regularly keeps plaque from building up on your gums. That way, there’s no harmful bacteria to trigger the infection. As an extra perk, checkups let dentists notice gum disease signs and keep them from worsening.
Tooth Decay
In general, tooth decay is the most common oral issue in the U.S. It typically takes the form of cavities – tiny holes in your teeth caused by bad oral care and poor eating. Today, more than 90% of American adults have had at least one cavity. One-quarter of those aged 20-64, meanwhile, have untreated cavities.
Of course, dentists also help their patients avoid cavities. Dental cleanings remove harmful plaque before it can affect your teeth. As a result, bacterial acids won’t have a chance to erode your enamel.
Bad Breath
Bad breath – also known as halitosis – is a problem nearly everyone has faced. Plus, studies suggest that most cases are due to a dental condition. These can range from tongue bacteria and dry mouth to a full-blown gum infection.
Luckily, dentists can quickly solve your bad breath. They might provide you with medicated mouthwash to treat dry mouth, which is one of the potential causes. Alternatively, a dental team could remove smelly germs from your tongue and other mouth tissues.
Tooth Infection
A tooth infection is another common oral ailment. Normally, it’s caused by bacteria infecting the tooth’s inner pulp and causing irritation. The relevant symptoms include a bitter mouth taste, tooth pain, fever, and tooth sensitivity.
Dentists have several ways to prevent a tooth infection. Firstly, they can clean your teeth to remove bacteria from your mouth. Another option is fluoride treatment, which strengthens your enamel to keep germs out of your pulp. If you already have a cavity, they might place a crown to cover the decayed area.
Ultimately, you can’t stop common oral health issues alone. Remember to see your dentist often so they’ll stay away!
About the Practice
Galleria Dental is based in Springfield, MO. Led by Dr. Eric L. Tolliver, our practice provides comfortable and effective dentistry for each patient. To that end, we offer preventive, cosmetic, and restorative procedures, as well as emergency dental treatments. Whether you need a dental checkup or high-quality dental implants, we’ll do the job well. To learn more details or to book a visit, you can reach us on our website or by phone at (417)-887-5757.