Too often, people take their oral health for granted—until they experience a problem. Cavities and gum disease are only two of many possible issues that can arise if you’re not taking proper care of your teeth and gums. That’s why it’s important to be aware of the signs of poor oral health, so you can take steps to address the problem before it gets worse.
What are some signs of poor oral health that you shouldn’t ignore?
You’re Experiencing Pain When Eating or Drinking
One of the clearest signs of something wrong with oral health is pain when eating or drinking. This can be a sign of tooth decay, a cracked tooth, or even an abscessed tooth. If you’re experiencing pain when consuming hot or cold beverages or foods, make an appointment with your dentist immediately to get to the bottom of the issue.
What You Can Do
Pain while chewing may be caused by tooth sensitivity. You can use toothpaste for sensitive teeth to help lessen the discomfort. You can also try using a desensitizing mouthwash or fluoride gel. If all else fails, consult your dentist to explore other options. They can recommend further treatments to help dull the nerve endings in your teeth.
In some cases, it is too late to save the tooth. It could be that you did not have the time to have it checked, or you ignored the pain for too long. Your dentist may suggest you have the tooth extracted and replaced with an implant or a bridge to fill in the gap. Your dentist may place dental implants immediately to prevent further damage, especially when it is an abscessed tooth. These implants will provide a replacement tooth that looks and feels just like your natural teeth.
Your Gums Are Bleeding When You Brush or Floss
Bleeding gums are another sign that something isn’t right with your oral health, which is often due to plaque buildup along the gum line. It could also be a sign of gingivitis or even periodontitis.
What You Can Do
Bleeding gums can be prevented and easily treated if you maintain good oral hygiene habits. Ensure you brush your teeth at least twice daily and floss once daily. Be sure to use gentle circular motions when brushing your gums to avoid irritating them.
You must also visit your dentist at least once every six months for a professional cleaning. If the bleeding persists or it happens frequently, make an appointment with your dentist, so they can determine the cause and recommend further treatment, if necessary.
You Have Bad Breath That Won’t Go Away
Are you struggling with bad breath that never seems to go away, no matter how often you brush your teeth? If so, it could be a sign of gum disease. Gum disease is caused by plaque buildup along the gum line. Left untreated can lead to infection, inflammation, and even tooth loss. Also known as halitosis, this issue can be embarrassing and make social situations difficult.
What You Can Do
In the meantime, there are some things you can do to help freshen your breath. Be sure to brush your tongue when you brush your teeth to remove bacteria that can cause bad breath. You can also use mouthwash to kill bacteria and freshen your breath. Be sure to avoid sugary foods, drinks, and tobacco products, which can lead to bad breath.
If you’re still struggling with bad breath after taking these steps, make an appointment with your dentist. They can determine the cause of the problem. Sometimes, halitosis isn’t just about poor oral hygiene; this may have another underlying cause, like a sinus infection, acid reflux, or even diabetes.
Your Teeth Look Yellow or Stained
If your teeth look yellowed or stained, it could be a sign that you’re not brushing and flossing correctly—or it could be a sign of something more serious like tooth decay or gum disease.
What You Can Do
Yellow or stained teeth could be due to your food and drink choices. Your teeth may be more susceptible to staining if you consume a lot of coffee, tea, or red wine. You can try using whitening toothpaste or mouthwash to help remove surface stains. You can also use at-home teeth whitening kits for more severe staining.
If the yellowing or staining is more severe, make an appointment with your dentist. They may recommend professional teeth whitening or other treatments to help improve the appearance of your teeth. Also, it could be time to have your teeth cleaned by a professional if it has been more than six months since your last cleaning.
You Have Sores in Your Mouth That Won’t Heal
Do you have sores in your mouth that won’t seem to disappear? These sores—known as canker sores—are usually nothing to worry about and will eventually heal on their own. If you have sores that don’t heal within two weeks, make an appointment with your dentist; this could be a sign of infection or another serious issue like oral cancer.
What You Can Do
Although sores heal on their own, there are some things you can do to help relieve the pain and discomfort. Rinse your mouth with salt water several times a day to help reduce swelling and pain. You can also use over-the-counter numbing gels or oral pain relievers to help ease the discomfort. If the sore enlarges or becomes extremely painful, please consult your dentist, as these could be signs of a more serious issue like oral cancer.
Don’t Ignore the Signs
Oral health is important—but it’s often something you take for granted until you experience a problem. Various oral health issues can arise, from cavities to gum disease, if you’re not properly taking care of your teeth and gums. That’s why it’s important to be aware of the signs of poor oral health so you can take steps to address the problem before it gets worse.
