Oral hygiene is a crucial part of dental health. Aside from sore teeth and gums, most oral ailments like mouth sores and bad breath are often overlooked as dental unhealth. This is a huge mistake as these symptoms are typically signs of other severe dental diseases.
Although technological advancements in the dental industry have given adults the option to get fillers or dentures, there isn't any procedure to replace gums, tongues, or other oral parts.
This is why adults must take good care of their teeth and their overall dental health. However, there are several dental issues you can fix yourself, like tooth sensitivity, dry mouth, and toothaches.
That said, here are some common dental complaints among adults.
Gum Disease
Gum disease, also known as periodontal disease, is the most common cause of tooth loss in adults. An oral gum infection can cause significant damage to the roots of the teeth, thus compromising gum tissue health. This then leads to tooth loss.
Some common symptoms of gum diseases include red or swollen gums, bleeding gums, painful chewing, and permanent bad breath.
Gum disease is a severe medical condition, as it may be an early sign of oral cancer. Therefore adults with these symptoms are encouraged to visit elitedentalnaples.com.
Tooth Decay
Another prevalent dental problem is tooth decay. A wide combination of factors causes tooth decay. Cavities caused by bad eating habits and reduced saliva production are common causes of tooth decay.
The early signs of tooth decay are minimal and often go unnoticed. However, as the decay progresses, affected adults will start experiencing toothaches, tooth sensitivity, and spontaneous pain without apparent cause.
Bad Breath
Bad breath or halitosis is often a common sign or symptom of other dental diseases. Some examples of these dental conditions include gum disease, dry mouth, and cavities.
Aside from dental illness, an apparent cause of bad breath is inadequate dental hygiene. Brushing your teeth daily and flossing can reduce the prevalence of bad breath. However, if you have chronic bad breath, you should seek medical assistance.
Enamel Erosion
Enamel is a thin tissue that covers the exterior of teeth, and the issue is known to be the toughest tissue in the human body. However, time and wrong food choices can reduce the strength of enamel.
Enamel erosion is caused by excessive conduction of acidic food. Highly acidic food products like carbonated drinks are a substantial contributing factor to enamel erosion.
Some signs of enamel decay include teeth discoloration (yellow teeth), sensitivity to hot or cold drinks, and chipping or cracking.
Unfortunately, once eroded, tooth enamel cannot be restored. However, weakened enamel can be strengthened by consuming high quantities of minerals like calcium, with tissue restoration qualities.
Toothache
Toothaches are the most common sign of underlying dental diseases. Although there may be many causes of toothaches, the most common are gum infections, tooth decay, or other dental injuries.
If you experience prolonged toothaches, consider visiting your nearest dentist for a comprehensive dental checkup.
Although most dental complaints focus on teeth and gums, overall oral hygiene is needed to prevent aggressive dental diseases.
Adult patients are highly encouraged to pursue preventative measures like brushing their teeth every day, flossing, and avoiding acidic foods. These steps will help to prevent the possibility of dental disease.
The content is intended to augment, not replace, information provided by your clinician. It is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Reading this information does not create or replace a doctor-patient relationship or consultation. If required, please contact your doctor or other health care provider to assist you in interpreting any of this information, or in applying the information to your individual needs.