The Benefits of Maintaining Your Oral Health
By having regular teeth cleaning and oral hygienic services, you can avoid many diseases including heart disease, diabetes, respiratory infections, rheumatoid arthritis and osteoporosis, to name a few.
See a list if diseases you can avoid below.
Oral Cancer
Oral cancer is a disease resulting from abnormal cell growth in the mouth, lips, tongue or throat.
A good way to preserve oral heal and prevent oral cancer is to:
- Stop the tobacco products
- Limit alcohol consumption
- Limit sun exposure and use U/V protective lip balms
- Eat a healthy diet with lots of fruits and vegetables
Ask about oral cancer screenings at your next appointment and check your mouth regularly for signs or symptoms. If you find any, report changes in your mouth to your our on-side dentist right away.
Halitosis
- Halitosis is bad breath
- It is usually caused by food particles, dry mouth, dental issues, and/or medical issues
- With assistance, education, and minimal interventions, Halitosis can be treated
Gingivitis
- ​Characterized by inflamed gums,
- This is the first stage of gum disease.
- Gingivitis is the only stage of the four that is reversible with constant care and attention
- It is unusually painless and therefore goes undetected and untreated for long periods of time.
- It usually involves red, swollen, sometimes tender, bleeding gums and bad breath
Gum Disease
This is a progressive state of gum infection, bacteria infiltration and bone loss. This disease commonly has 4 stages which involve various clinical evidence.
Fortunately periodontitis can be treated to a manageable state
- Hundreds of medicines can cause the salivary glands to make less saliva. High blood pressure and depression medication often cause dry mouth
- Some diseases affect the salivary glands. Sjogren”s Syndrome and HIV/AIDS can cause dry mouth.
- Radiation therapy can damage the salivary glands if they are exposed to radiation during cancer treatment.
- Chemotherapy grugs used to treat cancer can make saliva thicker, causing the mouth to feel dry.
- Nerve damage and injury to the head or neck can damage the nerves that tell salivary glands to make saliva.
Tooth Decay
- Tooth decay begins when food residues, especially sugars and starches, are left on the teeth and form plaque bacteria.
- The bacteria in plaque feed on the sugars in your food and produces acids that attack tooth enamel.
- Repeated acid attacks weaken and eventually erode the enamel, leading to the formation of cavities in the teeth.
- As tooth decay progresses past the enamel, it affects the dentin – a more sensitive layer of the tooth – and increases discomfort and pain.
- If decay is left untreated, it can reach the tooth’s pulp and cause pain and lead to abscesses.
- Continued decay may lead to severe damage or infection, eventually making tooth removal necessary.
Tooth Loss
- Plaque can accumulate and harden into tartar, leading to gum inflammation and periodontal disease, which is a primary cause of tooth loss.
- Gum disease can progress from gingivitis to periodontitis, where the deeper periodontal structures are affected, eventually causing teeth to fall out.
- Inadequate oral care allows cavities to form and grow, potentially leading to severe decay and resulting in tooth loss if not treated timely.
- Can result in infections that reach the root of the tooth, potentially necessitating root canal treatment or leading to tooth extraction.
- Chronic infection and gum inflammation can lead to a deteriorated jawbone, and teeth can become unstable and eventually be lost.
- Less opportunity for early detection and intervention for dental issues that could escalate to tooth loss.
Don’t Wait Until It’s Too Late
Regular oral hygiene is a necessary practice that helps prevent a range of serious dental issues that can affect your mouth and your overall physical health. Early detection and treatment of problems like gum disease, decay, and infections can save your teeth and spare you from more complex and expensive treatments in the future.
Start by investing in routine dental check-ups and cleanings, and get involved in taking proactive steps towards preserving your oral health. Schedule your next visit today and give your teeth the care they deserve.