Brushing your teeth consistently and attending routine dental visits is necessary for maintaining a lifelong smile. Indeed, there are countless concerns that threaten your grin’s integrity, and your best option for mitigating their affects includes participating in an involved preventive dental routine. Still, however, neglecting some aspects such as your gums or tongue can lead to even more issues, which is why it is important to recognize some of the common threats you face daily. In today’s blog, your Leawood, KS dentist explores a few common oral health concerns that complicate your grin’s health, and how you can take strides to prevent them.
Dangers of Dental Decay
It goes without saying that you experience the effects of thousands of oral bacteria every single day. From contaminated surfaces to even oral bacteria that nestle in the hard-to-reach recesses of your mouth, bacteria are present all around us. But just how serious is this concern? The truth is, very! While bacteria in and of themselves are not necessarily the worst concern, they can quickly get out of hand without proper treatment.
Arguably the most common oral health threat out there, dental decay is caused by hyperactive oral bacteria that secrete acids onto your teeth. These acids actively wear down your tooth’s protective layer of enamel, and once your structure is exposed, it sets to work forming a small hole in a tooth known as a cavity.
While a cavity may be treated early on with a dental filling, the truth is, many patients are not even aware there is a concern to begin with, as most people do not seek treatment unless they experience noticeable pain. Before you know it, your condition can get worse and require more extensive treatment. To learn more about this process and how our team can help, contact us today.
Periodontal Inflammation
Another common concern that impacts your smile’s health involves gum disease. You see, periodontal or gum concerns occur when pesky bacteria make their way beneath the surface of your gums and latch onto your tooth roots. Here, they cause plaque to develop on your roots, causing the tissues to separate from your teeth.
Without treatment, periodontal inflammation and disease can lead to bleeding gums, alarmingly loose teeth, and even permanent loss. To avoid cases such as these, ask your dentist about scaling and root planing treatment.
Grinding Your Teeth
While awaking with a sore jaw once in a blue moon is nothing to fret about, experiencing it all of the time could indicate that you are grinding your teeth while you slumber. In cases such as these, it is important to seek treatment from your dentist so that we may offer solutions, including an oral appliance.
Schedule Your Visit
Contact Dreem Dentistry in Leawood, KS by calling 913-681-5500 to schedule your next appointment with our team and learn more today.