Understanding Your Oral Health Needs
Patients come to our dental office for a variety of reasons, and while many procedures are standard across practices, every patient is unique. That’s why you need a dentist who understands the complexities of your individual needs. Our dental office provides all patients with a complete oral exam to ensure their oral health is set up for success. The best way to stop serious symptoms is to catch them in their early stages and to develop a treatment plan to address any issues that may have been caused. It is important for us that you understand what dental conditions there are, and what we can do to help.
Common Oral Health Concerns We Treat
Wisdom Teeth
Wisdom teeth are the last set of teeth that appear in our mouths, and usually erupt between our late teens to early twenties. Some patients will get their wisdom teeth without any problems, however, most patients have them removed before they have a chance to become impacted and cause issues with our other teeth or jawbone. If a tooth is impacted, it is most likely under the gums, embedded in the jawbone. If that is the case, we would need to remove a portion of the tissue covering the area, and then proceed to extract one tooth at a time. Recovery depends on your oral health and to what extent your wisdom teeth are impacted.
Bad Breath (Halitosis)
Bad breath, also known as halitosis, is a strong smell that remains in our mouths for an extended period. If you are struggling with bad breath it may be due to dental issues, mouth infections, dry mouth, or smoking. Bacteria is most likely lodged in between your teeth, which is why we recommend following a strict dental regime that includes flossing, brushing, and mouthwash twice a day to remove any debris that may be settling. If bad breath does not resolve, we suggest scheduling an appointment at our office to track down what is causing the issue.
Bleeding Gums
Bleeding gums is a common symptom of gum disease. There are chances that bleeding gums can be caused by brushing our teeth too aggressively, or from wearing dentures that do not fit properly. However, most bleeding tends to come from gingivitis or gum disease. This occurs when bacteria are stuck to our teeth, which resulted in the buildup of plaque. If the plaque is not removed, it can harden into tartar, which irritates our gums and increases the chances of bleeding and periodontitis.
Cavities
Cavities are areas of teeth that have become decayed, resulting in holes in our teeth. Cavities are caused by the buildup of plaque, a substance that sits on our teeth and is made of bacteria, saliva, and food particles. Although cavities begin small, there is the chance for them to become larger if they are left untreated. Cavities are difficult to see because most do not show pain in the beginning, however, by visiting the dentist, cavities can be caught early using digital x-rays.
Cold Sores
Cold sores are small blisters that form near our mouths which are commonly connected to the herpes simplex virus. Cold sores are complex because some patients who carry the virus do not have breakouts; however, those who have a weak immune system or high stress, may find themselves getting cold sores more often. Some symptoms that arise during a cold sore breakout are burning sensations on the lip or face, raised red blisters, fever, and muscle aches.
Gum Disease
Gum disease is branched from gingivitis, which is an inflammation of our gums. This commonly happens due to poor oral hygiene and results in swollen gums and bleeding when brushing or flossing. However, as gingivitis becomes gum disease, also known as periodontitis, your gums may become swollen, red, and lead to recession.
Gum Recession
Gum recession is a condition where your gums begin to pull away from your teeth, which ends up exposing your tooth roots. Gum recession stems from periodontal disease and can be caused by aggressive brushing, plaque buildup, hormonal changes, and genetics. If your teeth are exposed to gum recession, it is best to contact us to help prevent further oral health complications.
Oral Cancer Screening
Oral cancer starts with the cells in our mouths which slowly become a tumor as cells group together and destroy tissue. It looks like a small sore, but it does not go away, which should cause suspicion. It can develop on multiple areas around our mouths, such as: the lips, gums, tongue, inner cheeks, roof of the mouth, or under the tongue.
Stained Teeth
A healthy smile is at the top of all our lists. However, as time goes on, you may notice that your teeth start to become stained. Stained teeth are caused by lifestyle habits such as what we eat, what we drink, poor dental hygiene, medications, and our natural age.
Tooth Sensitivity
Tooth sensitivity can be uncomfortable. If you experience tooth sensitivity when you eat or drink hot or cold items, this can be a sign of cavities or root exposure. This should be checked by your family dentist at your next dental appointment.