Poor oral health has many unfortunate side effects, from bad breath and cavities to a weakened immune system and cardiovascular risk. For these reasons and many more, your Marietta dentist will recommend dental cleanings and oral exams at least every six months. Regular visits to a dentist will identify issues in their earliest stages, helping prevent health issues that can extend beyond your teeth and gums.
There’s no doubt about it; your oral health plays a significant factor in your overall health and wellness. Unfortunately, many people tend to do the bare minimum when it comes to taking care of their teeth and gums, which sometimes doesn’t cut it.
7 Common Oral Health Issues You Need to Know
Most oral health problems will likely come down to a small selection of treatable issues. During a scheduled checkup, your dentist looks at areas of concern and puts a plan to treat the matter in place. Let’s examine the common reasons your mouth is unhealthy and what you can do about it.
1. Your Teeth Are Stained
When you smile, the first thing most people notice is the color of your teeth. While some people’s teeth are a beautiful white color, many people have teeth that are stained a yellowish or brownish color. Because of this they don’t smile as much and tend to be self-conscious of their teeth.
While this is certainly a cosmetic issue it’s also a functionality issue. Teeth that are stained yellow or brown can be a sign of tooth decay, which is a problem you don’t want in your mouth.
For patients with surface staining, professional, in-office teeth whitening can lighten your teeth several shades in a short amount of time. For more severe problems such as tooth decay, we recommend that you schedule an appointment with Dr. Mohip-Chahwala so that you can have a full oral exam and get recommendations on how to proceed with fixing your teeth.
2. Your Teeth Are Crooked
While most people think that crooked teeth are simply a cosmetic or orthodontic issue, it can actually hurt the health of your teeth and gums. Teeth that are either crowded or have gaps in them along the gum line can become a breeding ground for harmful bacteria.
While brushing and flossing are always important, it’s extremely important that your teeth are not too far apart, crowded, or crooked in any way. For patients who have severely crooked teeth and are also suffering from dental decay, dental implants with crowns or bridges may be an excellent option. Here’s a page dedicated to dental implants where you can learn more.
3. Maybe Your Jaw Hurts, Too
In certain cases, crooked teeth can actually be a symptom of a problem with your jaw.
Temporomandibular joint disorder (commonly referred to as TMD or TMJ) is a painful condition where the TMJ (a joint that acts much link a hinge) fails to move smoothly.
Think about it like a door that doesn’t fit perfectly and drags on the floor a bit when you push or pull on it; that’s quite painful when it’s going on between your mandible and temporal bone!
A few common symptoms patients with TMJ disorder report are:
- Clicking or popping in the jaw area
- Ear that feels painful or full
- The inability to close or open the mouth
- A bite that is out of alignment (the teeth no longer fit together properly)
Dr. Mohip-Chahwala treats TMJ right here at Shining Smiles Family Dentistry in Marietta, GA.
4. Your Gums Are Red, Swollen, or Bleed When You Brush
If your gums frequently have the appearance of being swollen, angry, or inflamed, it’s time for a visit to the dentist to see what is going on, as these are potential signs of gum disease.
There are three stages of gum disease:
Gingivitis
This is the first stage of gum disease commonly characterized by gum inflammation and plaque buildup. Catching gum disease at this stage is important, as it can be reversed with minimal treatment and a solid oral hygiene routine.
Periodontitis
At this point, your teeth are (unfortunately) permanently damaged. Now, this doesn’t mean you can’t take an active approach to minimizing your damage and it doesn’t mean that more advanced treatments, such as dental implants, aren’t a great option for you.
Advanced Periodontitis
When you see someone who has lost several teeth or has several teeth that are yellow/brown, loose, and soft, they are likely in the advanced stage of periodontitis. At this point, your teeth will likely need to be removed and replaced with dental implants, a fixed bridge, or some other similar treatment.
Also, your teeth shouldn’t bleed when you brush them (it could happen on occasion, but it definitely should be the exception, not the rule)!
You can learn more about how we help patients with gum disease by visiting this page.
5. You Constantly Deal With Bad Breath
If your bad breath is more than just, “Oops, I ate some onions,” then you could have chronic bad breath (known as halitosis). There are many conditions that could cause halitosis and poor oral hygiene is certainly one of them.
If someone you love or care for is constantly telling you that your breath doesn’t smell great (and offering you some chewing gum), it’s time to get the issue checked!
6. Your Diet Isn’t Right
We’re not saying you have to eat like a triathlete, but your diet does play a significant role in your oral health. For instance, eating too much sugar can create a breeding ground of harmful bacteria in your mouth that can lead to decay.
Another example is dark cola or coffee. While the occasional dark drink shouldn’t hurt your teeth much, drinking them day after day can stain your teeth. If you are going to drink dark colas or coffee, we recommend drinking them through a straw so they can bypass your teeth and gums (for the most part).
If you avoid sugar and dark-colored drinks it can go a long way to keeping your mouth healthy and in good shape!
7. You Need to Revamp Your Oral Hygiene Routine
A rock-solid oral hygiene routine isn’t difficult to find or master, but consistency is the key. At Shining Smiles Family Dentistry, we tell our patients they should brush their teeth twice a day for a period of two minutes each time and floss once daily.
It’s also a good idea to supplement with mouthwash. Also, many patients enjoy using an oral irrigator or water flosser to reach some of those stubborn spots that only water can reach.
Again, the routine is easy; become disciplined to follow it day after day without exception. Also, if you have a young child we recommend that you monitor their oral hygiene until they are at least 8 years old. While you want to encourage a young child to learn how to “do it themselves,” parents should still watch to ensure they are doing it correctly.
So What Should You Do if You’re Experiencing Any of These Problems?
If you are experiencing any of the above problems and feel that your mouth isn’t as healthy as it should be, it’s time to see a different kind of dentist! At Shining Smiles Family Dentistry, Dr. Mohip-Chahwala focuses, not only on providing patients with the best treatment for them, but has an overarching philosophy of preventative care.
Once we correct the issue you are experiencing, we’re going to share with you a personalized care plan to help you keep your teeth and gums healthy and happy for the rest of your life.
As a family dental practice, Shining Smiles cares about the long-term oral health of all your loved ones. With our welcoming office, friendly team and services like sedation dentistry, we want everyone to feel comfortable and positive about their oral examinations and cleanings.
Only regular dental visits make it possible to monitor changes to your teeth and gums. And with a skilled professional relationship (including understanding any health concerns), it’s possible to deliver the best in dental care.
Contact Us for Family and Cosmetic Dentistry Services in Marietta
Trust Shining Smiles Family Dentistry for specialized family, restorative and cosmetic dentistry in Marietta. Our team is available for dental checkups, fillings, teeth whitening services and much more. For more information, call (770) 420-8550 or request a dental appointment now.
