You know good dental habits can help prevent things like cavities and gingivitis, but you may not know what conditions like these really look like or how they can affect your mouth. Use this visual guide to learn more about some of the most common dental health issues, symptoms to watch for and the potential treatments that are available. Please note: This content is for informational purposes only. Only a dentist, physician or other qualified health care professional can make a diagnosis. Gingivitis
Gingivitis is the earliest stage
of gum disease, an infection of the
tissues around your teeth caused by plaque. If you have gingivitis, your gums
may become red, swollen and bleed easily. You may also
experience bad breath. Because gum disease
is usually painless, you may not know you have it.
You are more likely to develop gum disease if you skip brushing and flossing, use tobacco, have crooked teeth
that are hard to keep clean, are pregnant, have diabetes or take certain
medications. When in its early stages, the disease is still reversible and your
gums can be returned to good health with a professional cleaning from your
dentist, along with daily brushing and flossing. Periodontitis
Periodontitis
is the more advanced form of gum disease, a major cause of
tooth loss in adults. According to the CDC, nearly half of U.S.
adults suffer from it. The disease can be reversed in early stages, but damage
may be permanent the longer it goes untreated. Although you may not be aware of
the gum disease in your mouth, abscesses can develop which
usually painful. Symptoms include bleeding, swollen gums,
persistent bad breath or bad taste, loose
permanent teeth and a change in bite. Your teeth may appear to become longer as
gums and bone recede. There are many treatments available, including deep cleanings known as scaling and
root planing. Talk to your dentist to find out what’s best for you. Thrush
Thrush is a yeast infection
that looks like white film in your mouth. You’re more likely to get thrush if
you have an illness that affects your immune system. This includes people with
HIV/AIDS or cancer, as well as people
using steroids to manage their asthma. People with untreated or uncontrolled diabetes are also susceptible
because sugar in saliva encourages yeast to grow. Thrush is also common in
people who wear dentures. If you have
symptoms, see your dentist. After a scraping to confirm you have thrush, your
dentist can prescribe medicine to clear it up. To read the entire article visit MouthHealthy.org.
You know good dental habits can help prevent things like cavities and gingivitis, but you may not know what conditions like these really look like or how they can affect your mouth. Use this visual guide to learn more about some of the most common dental health issues, symptoms to watch for and the potential treatments that are available. Please note: This content is for informational purposes only. Only a dentist, physician or other qualified health care professional can make a diagnosis. Cold Sores (Fever Blisters)
Cold sores are fluid-filled blisters that erupt on your lips, under your nose or around your chin caused by a virus known as herpes simplex virus type 1. Once you have them, you're likely to get them again. Extremely contagious, they can be passed to others from the time you feel the first symptoms (like itching or tingling by your mouth) to the time they heal completely. Cold sores are often red, yellow or gray and usually heal within a week or two on their own. Your dentist can prescribe antiviral drugs within the first few days of an outbreak to help it heal more quickly. Over the counter drugs are available to help with pain, itching and burning they might cause. Cavities
One
in four adults has an untreated cavity, and according to the
CDC, nearly every adult
will have tooth decay at some point. You might have a cavity if you experience
pain, food gets caught in your tooth, your tooth feels rough to your tongue or
it hurts to eat something cold or sweet. Depending on their severity, cavities
can be treated with fillings, crowns or root canals. If the damage is too
extensive or involves nerve damage, the tooth may need to be removed. To reduce your
chance of developing cavities, brush twice a day, floss once a day, drink water with fluoride, use a fluoride toothpaste, stay away from sugary
food and drinks and see your dentist
regularly.
Chipped Tooth
If
you regularly chomp on hard foods like nuts
or ice cubes, grind your teeth or have a mouth piercing, you’re at a higher
risk for a chipped tooth. You might feel pain, depending on how much tooth has
been lost. You may also feel a rough edge when you run your tongue along it.
If this happens, see your dentist. A small chip might be able to be smoothed
down. Your dentist can use a tooth-colored filling, a veneer or crown to shape up your
smile after a larger chip.
Teeth Grinding
Grinding
your teeth (bruxism) is most likely to
happen when you’re sleeping, though it can occur anytime during the day if
you’re stressed, have a new filling or crown that’s higher than
the rest of your teeth or have an abnormal bite. Over a long period of time,
the surface of your teeth will become worn. You could experience toothaches,
dull headaches or earaches, and jaw pain (TMJ). Your teeth may also appear more yellow
because the white outer covering is worn away.
A custom mouthguard from your dentist can
protect your teeth during sleep and correct bite issues. If stress is the
cause, find a way to relax. Meditation, counseling and exercise can help reduce
stress and anxiety (and the likelihood that you will grind your teeth).
