Did you know that oral diseases affect 3.5 billion people worldwide? Gum or tooth disease can be painful and debilitating. In some cases, they can even lead to heart infections that can quickly become life-threatening.
Luckily, you can be proactive about your gum and oral health. With a bit of extra care and a visit or two to the dentist, you can enjoy a smile that looks and feels good.
To learn more about how to take control of your oral health, read on!
Prevent Tooth Decay
Your teeth have an outer coating called enamel. As plaque builds up in your mouth, bacteria begin to eat away at the enamel. On a long enough timeline, this will lead to cavities and tooth decay.
Regular visits to your dentist can help keep your teeth healthy, but for long-term maintenance, you should use fluoride toothpaste or mouthwash. Fluoride will protect your teeth from decay in between dentist visits.
Gum Disease
Gum disease is one of the most painful afflictions in addition to being very common. Most gum disease is caused by gingivitis, a mild gum disease that makes your gums tender.
If you find your gums hurt or bleed easily, it’s most likely a case of gingivitis. Practicing good oral hygiene can easily fix gingivitis, though, so brushing and flossing every day can resolve the issue.
Periodontitis is a more serious gum disease that can cause bleeding gums, and pain when eating. In extremely severe cases, it can cause your teeth to fall out.
You can prevent periodontitis with regular dental hygiene, but you can’t treat it yourself. It must be treated by a dentist. So if you suspect you have periodontitis, checking in with your dentist is a must.
Never Skip the Dentist
Problems with your oral health aren’t always easy to spot. Cavities and gum disease can sneak up on you and can cause a lot of damage before they start causing symptoms.
The key is early detection. This means visiting the dentist! If you’ve been avoiding the dentist because it’s uncomfortable and inconvenient, consider the fact that a check-up every 6 months is far less painful than gum disease will be.
With that in mind, don’t put off your visits to the dentist. Not only will they keep your teeth healthy, but they can also help you get the smile you want.
Do you have a snaggle tooth you’re always trying to hide? Or do you have stains from too much coffee? A dentist can help you with these concerns while preventing painful dental health concerns.
If you’re looking for the best dentist in Tampa, check out edatampa.com. After your first visit, you’ll wonder why you didn’t go sooner!
Be Proactive About Gum and Oral Health
While gum and oral health problems can be both painful and debilitating, they’re entirely preventable. With a bit of care every day, you’ll be able to achieve and maintain perfect oral health.
If you enjoyed learning about oral hygiene, we have tons of similar advice pieces on our blog. Check it out for more!
