So, you’ve skipped a few dental appointments. You feel fine, and you’re not in any pain- so it must be okay, right? Wrong!
Dental appointments are designed to keep your teeth in top shape, and preventative care matters! Just brushing and flossing at home aren’t enough to keep signs and symptoms of serious tooth decay from developing eventually. Ignoring your teeth can lead to some extremely serious problems that go far beyond your mouth.
We’ve all seen those pictures of people with missing and rotting teeth and gums. It makes us want to cringe and politely look away. If you think that you’re immune to issues that cause this, think again. Teeth are an incredibly precious commodity, and it’s much easier to care for them when they’ve received regular maintenance. It’s much cheaper, too.
Caring for your teeth needs to start at a very young age. Even baby teeth deserve special attention. This sets the foundation for your adult teeth, and can stave off the effects of gum disease. A Cosmetic Dentist in Moreno Valley, California can help to correct some of the damage, and can help you to regain your self-confidence. The best plan of action will always be preventative care and regular dental checkups. You’ll agree after looking through some of these common problems caused by neglecting your teeth:
Halitosis
This is a symptom and a major problem all rolled into one. Halitosis, very simply, means bad breath. If people shy away when you speak, and you have that chronic rotten smell when you breathe heavily, you could have some underlying dental issues. This can indicate everything from serious tooth decay to a sinus infection. Either way, bad breath can be an excellent motivator to seek some professional help!
Periodontal Disease
Also known as gun disease, this is a very common side effect of poor dental hygiene. It comes in two stages: Gingivitis; and Periodontitis. Gingivitis is a treatable form of this disease that can cause red, swollen, and bleeding gums. If you’re noticing red in the sink after you brush, it’s definitely a good time to call your dentist! If you catch this early, it can be stopped and the effects reversed.
Periodontitis is the more advanced stage of this disease. At this point, plaque and bacteria have made their way to the areas underneath your gum line. This causes an autoimmune response from your body, and it will attack the areas around your teeth. Teeth will actually become loose and will eventually fall out. This disease is bad news, and definitely warrants some professional intervention.
Sensitive Teeth
This is a problem that nearly everyone experiences at one point or another in their lives. That sudden shock of pain that comes when you bite down on something that’s too hot, too cold, or simply too sweet. This happens when you have an area of your tooth that may be exposed to nerves within your teeth. Erosion of enamel gives way to these sensitive spots. This is a treatable problem, and can be remedied with fillings and other methods your dentist can suggest.
Tooth Decay
Tooth decay happens when areas of our teeth begin to breakdown and erode. This can happen when teeth are not being brushed and flossed properly, and food is left on the surface. Plaque is a tiny bacterium that lives on the surface of your teeth, and plaque’s favorite food just happens to be whatever gets stuck to your teeth. They are particularly partial to sugars. Plaque produce acids as they digest these sugars, and these acids literally eat away at your smile.