What is standing in the way of you having a beautiful, strong, healthy smile? In this month’s blog we look at four of the biggest threats to your oral health and how you can safeguard your smile for the future.
Plaque
Until it is brushed or flossed away, plaque builds up on your teeth. If left it can lead to gum disease, tooth decay and in the long run tooth loss.
Plaque is a sticky film that builds up on your teeth. Technically speaking, it is a microbial biofilm that contains a range of bacteria strong enough to continue thriving in the dark crevices of the mouth.
Any foods or drinks containing carbohydrates can trigger the formation of plaque, especially those with high sugar content like fizzy drinks, chocolate, cake, and sweets. As you chew, carbohydrates combine with the natural bacteria in your mouth to create plaque.
Plaque’s acidic base slowly eats away at your tooth enamel. This is why cavities are considered the first warning sign of plaque damage.
In order to keep your teeth healthy, it is important to schedule regular scaling and polishing with the hygienist. The hygienist will remove any plaque and calculus build up, will provide advice on lifestyle factors that may be affecting your oral health and will help you put together an oral hygiene routine that will keep your teeth looking their best in between appointments.
Teeth Grinding
Millions of people grind their teeth and night, also known as bruxism and may not even realise that they are doing it. They may be coping with the symptoms like tooth sensitivity, headaches, and jaw pain, without realising the cause.
Night-time teeth grinding is difficult to identify as it occurs completely subconsciously while you are asleep. Chronic clenching and grinding place so much pressure on the muscles, tissues, teeth, and other structures around the jaw, symptoms can be felt long after the grinding stops.
A few of the most common bruxism symptoms include the following:
- Jaw pain and stiffness
- Sore gums
- Sensitive or broken teeth
- Clicking jaw joints
- Chronic dull headaches
- Earaches
- Flat, short, or blunt teeth surfaces
If left untreated tooth grinding can wear down your teeth, cause breakages and leave you in chronic pain. If you have been experiencing any of the common symptoms, as your dentist to examine your mouth for signs of teeth grinding at your next appointment.
Misaligned Teeth
Most people want to straighten their teeth for the aesthetic benefits, but there are many important dental health benefits to fixing crooked teeth.
Common misalignment issues like crowding, spacing, and poor bite make it difficult to perform a thorough oral hygiene routine, meaning you are at increased risk of developing gum disease and tooth decay.
Gum Disease
There are many different reasons that the bacteria in your mouth might gain too much power: smoking, poor oral hygiene, and a high-sugar diet are just a few common causes. This very quickly can progress to gum disease.
The following are all symptoms of gum disease:
- Bad breath that doesn’t fade even after brushing or drinking water
- Bleeding gums
- Pain when chewing food
- Loose or wiggling teeth
- Increased tooth sensitivity
- Receding gums
- Unexpected tooth loss
- Multiple cavities and infections
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms it is important that you book an appointment with your dentist as soon as possible.
Unfortunately, the damage caused by gum disease isn’t limited to your mouth. It also has serious implications on the rest of your body as well. Researchers have been studying the link between gum disease and cardiovascular disease for decades. Statistics indicate that people with gum disease are two to three times more likely to have a heart attack, stroke, or other serious cardiovascular problems.
Stop The Threats to Your Dental Health Now
By contacting your dentist, keeping your appointments every six months, and receiving any treatments or procedures your dentist suggests, you can restore health and balance to your smile. Call Maidstone Dental & Implant Centre, today on 01622 682 029 to schedule your appointment and put yourself on the path to better oral health.
