It is pretty apparent that “prevention is better than cure”, and certainly a professional tooth cleaning is an ideal way to prevent any type of oral health problem.
The recommended minimum time to visit the dentist is twice a year, according to the American dental health association. Most people, however, require professional cleaning once every six months to prevent them from being at risk of gum diseases and tooth decay.
From an early age, we are naturally encouraged to ask questions as often as necessary – parents, teachers, and inherently this same principle applies to dentists. The dental office spars up certain curiosity regarding dental health.
Asking the right questions to a dentist is essential for your dental assessments, as it allows your dentists to cater to your oral issues and proffer the perfect solution.
Here are some common dental questions
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What are the early signs of dental problems?
There are common dental problems that arise due to not keeping up with your dental prescription.
A lot of people wait till they begin to notice some dental problems before they seek any form of dental care.
Here are some early signs of dental problems you should watch out for.
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Gum Disease
Also referred to as a periodontal disease, it occurs when there is a separation of the gums from the teeth that creates pockets thereby filling the hole with bacteria. Plaques are created from these bacteria that spread throughout the gums and force the immune system to resist the outbreak. If the plaque persists and does not respond to treatment, the tissues around the teeth will weaken, loosen, and will eventually fall out.
Gum diseases can cause:
- Bleeding and Pus
- Gum Recession
- Gum & Teeth Sensitivity.
Cavities
Cavities’ warning signs at the early stages are very pronounced. If you experience any kind of toothache, a general soreness of the mouth, frequent pain, and or tooth sensitivity, that is a clear indication of tooth cavity. Another symptom is experiencing mild pain while you eat hot, sweet, or solid meals. If you notice non-removable stains on your teeth’s surface, that is a red flag.
Tooth Decay
If you experience frequent toothache when you consume hot or cold meals, you certainly have sensitive teeth which is a clear indication of potential tooth decay.
Crooked And Or Broken Tooth – An injury to the mouth can cause a broken tooth.
Teeth Grinding – This is a by-product of stress and anxiety and could potentially lead to tooth grinding.
Why Do You Need A Dental Exams
A dental exam is a checkup of your gums and teeth. They are used to detect tooth decay, gum disease, and certain types of oral problems early enough when they are at their early stage they are simpler to fix.
Adults and children should have a dental exam every six months, while babies should have their first dental appointment within the six months period they got their first tooth, or at age one. You can set up an appointment with us at Barton Dental.
Does a rinse or mouthwash help?
Mouthwash freshens bad breath by replacing plaque and gingivitis with fluoride and fights against cavities and tooth decay. If you decide to rinse with mouthwash, it must be the finishing touch of your daily dental routine. When applied correctly, a good mouthwash will fight off bad breath for over 12 hours, prevent cavities, and we recommend using a high fluoride mouthwash for better results.
Why Do I Need Dental X-Rays?
When you have issues with your dental health, your dentist will need to perform a visual examination first to diagnose the condition. This might not provide you with all the necessary information and that’s why a dental x-ray is used.
Radiographs, or x-rays, allow your dentist a better view of the inside and between your teeth. They are imperative because they give your dentist a better understanding of your oral health. Your dentists will see the conditions of your teeth, facial bone composition, and jaw placement, allowing them to treat these issues before they become critical.
You can find answers to more questions about Dental X-Rays here
How does sugar damage teeth?
Your mouth is the bridgehead of the majority of what enters your body. All the meals and drinks you consume come in through your mouth becoming the battleground for harmful and beneficial bacteria. Studies have shown that these harmful bacteria produce acids when sugar is digested.
Sugar changes the acidity content in your mouth. The two types of bacteria found in the mouth are streptococcus mutans and streptococcus sobrinus and they feed on sugar to form plaque. You can easily have these cleaned with regular visits to the dentists.
Sugar is widespread in the meals we consume and will be a difficult task to completely remove it from your diet. Now you are aware of the dangers of frequent sugar consumption, you can start with simple steps like cutting down on processed and refined sugar, and consuming less fructose corn syrup. You will significantly reduce the risk of developing oral diseases.