At Dentistry by Angela Britt, we want our patients to be knowledgeable about the state of their oral health. Aside from properly cleaning your teeth, it is important to be mindful of any problems that may occur in your mouth between your oral hygiene examination appointments. We recommend checking your mouth regularly for any signs of a problem. You can also regularly run your tongue over your teeth to feel for any imperfections. It is also important to be mindful of any changes to your teeth that you may feel, such as discomfort. Some common dental problems include:
Toothache
If you experience a random toothache from time to time, we recommend brushing and flossing your teeth thoroughly. It is possible your toothache is caused by food trapped between your teeth. If the discomfort continues, contact our office.
Cavities
Cavities are a common dental problem. A cavity is caused by a buildup of bacteria on the tooth that begins to wear away at the enamel. This can be caused by poor oral hygiene and an overabundance of sugary, sweet foods. If we find a cavity in your mouth, we recommend scheduling an appointment for a filling as soon as possible.
Gum Disease
This condition does not have many warning signs. Possible symptoms include bleeding and swollen gums. If you notice that your gums are often swollen and red, we recommend contacting our office.
Root Infection
When a cavity is not treated in a timely fashion, it will continue to progress through the tooth and down into the root. When this occurs, you may experience extreme discomfort. An infection in the tooth root can also be caused by trauma to the tooth or mouth.
Enamel Erosion
Tooth enamel is the covering found on the outside of the teeth. Although it is extremely strong, it can become damaged. Enamel erosion is when the tooth’s enamel slowly wears down. It can be caused by grinding your teeth or a buildup of acid on the teeth from carbonated beverages and other highly acidic foods and beverages. It will eventually lead to a cavity or even a cracked or broken tooth.
Cracked and Chipped Teeth
These problems can occur when you do not care for your teeth properly. For example, when you use your teeth as tools, such as biting a tag off or ripping a package open with your teeth. Cracked or chipped teeth are visible and need to be treated as soon as possible.
If you experience one of the issues mentioned above, be sure to contact our office located in Brunswick, GA to schedule an appointment. Failure to treat a problem in your mouth can lead to more serious complications.