Tooth Sensitivity
Tooth Sensitivity |Having dental problems is no fun, but fortunately most of them can be prevented easily. Everyday activities like brushing twice daily, flossing each day, getting nutritious food, as well as keeping up with your regular dental checkups, go a long way in helping to prevent troublesome dental problems like tooth sensitivity, gum disease and bad breath.
Gum Disease
Also known as gingivitis or periodontal disease, gum disease is a chronic infection caused by the buildup of plaque in the mouth. This is an extremely common condition among adults.
Some of the symptoms of gum disease include:
- Bad breath
- Tender or painful gums
- Sores present on the gums
- Gums that bleed easily and frequently
The best way to prevent gum disease and even tooth sensitivity is to brush at least twice daily and floss your teeth once a day.
You should also be keeping up with your regular dental exam and cleaning appointments so that your dental hygienist can remove plaque from on and around your teeth before it hardens into tartar.
Bad Breath
Bad breath is something that, if you have it, you may not even realize. Try cupping your hand over your mouth and nose, and breathe in. It’s always better to find out this way than to have someone else tell you. In most cases, bad breath is caused by improper oral hygiene. So this is a reminder to get back on track with daily brushing and flossing. In other cases, bad breath may indicate a more serious condition.
Bad breath is one of the symptoms of gum disease, which is a serious condition that can eventually cause teeth to loosen and even fall out. If you are experiencing chronic bad breath along with other symptoms like tender and bleeding gums, you owe it to yourself to make an appointment with the dentist to get it checked out.
If you have bad breath, it’s probably a good idea to step up your oral hygiene game at home. Make sure that you’re brushing and flossing regularly. It can also help to brush your tongue, which can often harbor oral bacteria that cause bad breath.
Tooth Sensitivity
Tooth sensitivity usually occurs because the tooth enamel has worn away. This could be caused by problems like cavities, receding gums or teeth grinding. Your teeth can also become sensitive following a teeth whitening treatment. If this is the case, it should resolve itself in a few days. In the meantime, you can use a toothpaste designed for tooth sensitivity.
One common cause of tooth sensitivity is teeth grinding, which can occur at night while you are sleeping so that you are unaware of it. If your tooth sensitivity is accompanied by sore jaw muscles or clicking jaw joints, you may have a condition called TMJ. Make an appointment with the dentist to get it checked out.
Tooth sensitivity can also be caused by the foods and beverages that you are consuming. For example, some soft drinks are highly acidic, which can strip away tooth enamel and lead to tooth sensitivity. Some citrus fruits are also highly acidic. So you might try cutting back on foods like pineapples, lemons, or foods high in vinegar to see if that helps.
Schedule Your Appointment
Common dental problems like tooth sensitivity should be addressed. Contact our dentist to learn more! New patients are welcome.
