subject: Understanding Common Dental Concerns [print this page] We all suffer from common dental conditions at some point in our lives, but understanding these dental conditions is the first step to fighting them and keeping your mouth healthy. For a relatively small space, your mouth has a lot going on, health-wise. Our mouths are teaming with bacteria - most harmless, but left untreated, are capable of causing severe problems in your overall oral health.
The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends that you brushing your teeth twice a day, and floss daily in order to maintain a healthy mouth. Even by following the rules, you may run into some of these common dental conditions, but immediate treatment will help prevent more serious complications from developing.
All About Cavities (Tooth Decay)
Dental caries, also known as tooth decay or cavities, is caused by acid erosion of tooth enamel. Your mouth is home to a variety of bacteria that build up on your teeth in a sticky film called plaque, which forms easily in cracks, pits or grooves in back teeth, between teeth, around dental fillings and near the gum line. Some plaque bacteria can convert sugar and carbohydrates in the foods we eat into acids. These acids dissolve minerals in the surface of the tooth, which erodes the enamel or creates pits in it that are too small to see at first.
This damage can occur anywhere that the tooth is exposed to plaque and acid. This includes the hard outer enamel on the tooth crown or parts of the root that have been exposed because of receding gums. Once decay penetrates the protective enamel, it can enter the softer, vulnerable dentin, which is the main body of the tooth. A cavity can even penetrate the soft tooth pulp and the sensitive nerve fibers within it.
Your dentist will look for cavities at each dental visit and will look at your teeth with an explorer tool that looks for pits or areas of damage. If you do have a cavity, the standard treatment used is to fill the tooth. First your dentist will numb the area, and the decayed material in the cavity will be removed and then the cavity is filled. You can prevent cavities by reducing the amount of plaque and bacteria is in your mouth, which is best completed with daily brushing and flossing, in addition to professional cleanings twice a year.
Watch Out for Gum Disease
Periodontal disease is an infection of the tissues and bone that support the teeth. Untreated gum disease can become very serious and lead to other severe problems. Gum disease involves inflammation and infection that destroys the tissues that support the teeth, including the gums, periodontal ligaments and the tooth sockets. Developed by the long-term effects of plague build-up, a sticky material made of bacteria, mucus, and food debris, gum disease can be simply fought by brushing and flossing regularly.
Within the early stages of detection and development, there may be no pain or discomfort experienced. This is why gum disease can easily progress into more serious conditions. Some of the ways you can detect gum disease, even without pain, are:
*Gums that bleed easily, especially during brushing, flossing and eating
*Red, swollen or tender gums
*Loose or separating teeth
*Gums that are pulling away from the teeth
*Pus between your gums and teeth
*Persistent bad breath
*A change in your bite
*A change in the fit of partial dentures
The best way to avoid and treat many of these dental conditions is to visit your dentist in Pembroke Pines, FL. With regular check-ups and cleanings, your dentist can help diagnose and eliminate cavities and gum disease in your mouth as well as preventing further complications with your health.
