1.What Are The Early Signs Of Dental Trouble?
Dental issues do not occur all of a sudden. They build up gradually though they may become visible only after significant damage has been done. Some early warning signs of dental issues are
- Bad breath even after brushing, flossing, and using mouthwash. This could be a sign of gum disease, cavities, or even serious diseases like oral cancer.
- Tooth decay from the buildup of plaque or tartar which leads to further damage or tooth loss
- Mouth sores or mouth ulcers can be painful and a sign of other health issues
- Sensitivity in tooth/teeth when eating or drinking something hot or cold could be a sign of cracked teeth or weakening enamel
- Toothaches, however mild, could be an early sign of cracked or decaying tooth/teeth or early gum disease.
2.Why Do I Need A Regular Dental Check Up?
Healthy gums and teeth are not just a result of maintaining proper oral hygiene and habits at home but also of periodic dental visits at least once every 6 months. Regular dental checkups are the best way to prevent dental problems and to catch dental issues before they escalate into bigger problems. Signs of gum diseases like gingivitis or periodontitis can be prevented to a large extent with professional dental cleanings and early dental interventions. Dentists are also trained to recognize early signs of oral cancer and may screen for the same during routine checkups. Sharing overall health updates during routine visits also helps the dentist check for connections between oral health issues and other systemic conditions.
3.What Causes Dental Decay?
Dental decay, also known as dental caries or cavities, is primarily a result of an improper diet and poor oral hygiene. Bacteria, acid, food debris, and saliva mix to form dental plaque which accumulates on the teeth. This accumulated plaque causes demineralization dissolves dental enamel and weakens the teeth, unless it is washed away with proper brushing twice a day and flossing of the teeth. The hole that is created when the enamel is eaten away causes the formation of cavities, which cause a change in the color of the tooth, tooth sensitivity, and pain. Left untreated, the decay can eat into the dental pulp, causing pain and swelling and later leading to infection.
4.How To Maintain Good Oral Hygiene At Home?
There are five basic steps that can help to maintain good oral hygiene at home.
- Brushing of teeth (twice a day) with a soft-bristled toothbrush and a fluoride toothpaste.
- Flossing of teeth at night to remove food debris that may be stuck between gaps in the teeth where the brush is unable to reach.
- Brushing of the tongue along with the teeth so that bacteria and acids on the tongue can be washed off.
- Avoiding bad lifestyle habits like smoking, other tobacco products, and alcohol which can lead to cancer.
- Avoid excessive sweet foods and beverages which speed up the growth of bacteria and accumulation of plaque in the mouth.
5.What Are The Signs Of Gum Disease, And How Is It Treated?
Infection of the gums or the tissues that surround and support your teeth is known as gum disease. They are broadly of two types –
- Gingivitis (swelling, redness, and bleeding in the gums because of infection from accumulated plaque) left untreated can progress to periodontitis
- Periodontitis (where the gums and bone pull away from the teeth and form pockets, where food debris and bacteria cause infection.)
Periodontitis is a serious gum infection that can cause swelling of the gums, bleeding, bad breath even after brushing, flossing, and use of mouthwash, pus between the teeth and gums, loose teeth or loss of teeth, pain, and changes in the functionality of the teeth.
Gum diseases are treated using non-surgical procedures such as scaling, root planing, and consumption of antibiotics or using surgical methods such as pocket reduction surgery or guided tissue regeneration.
6.Is Tooth Extraction Painful?
Not necessarily. With the advent of latest surgical techniques and medicines, most dental extractions are uneventful. Post operative discomfort is managed through pain medication and post operative care. The presence of infection around the tooth to be extracted may hamper the effect of anesthesia and so, extractions of infected teeth should be performed only after a course of medication is administered to control the infection. Teeth extraction of milk teeth is relatively painless because the roots are not very deep. Wisdom tooth which might require surgical removal may be tricky as these teeth are partially or completely embedded in bone. Dentists use conscious sedation with nitrous oxide, oral sedation, or anesthesia (local or general) to help numb the pain during tooth extraction and keep the patient comfortable throughout the procedure.