Maintaining optimal dental health is crucial for overall well-being. Many people underestimate the effect of their daily dental hygiene practices. Despite adhering to routines like flossing and brushing two times a day with fluoride toothpaste, dental issues can unexpectedly arise.

This blog highlights the significance of regular dental check-ups in preventing common dental issues such as gum disease, tooth decay, oral cancer, and halitosis. Neglecting these issues can lead to severe consequences. Therefore, it is crucial to have regular dental exams to prevent these problems from getting worse. This not only ensures good oral health but also promotes overall well-being.

Gum Disease

Bad breath could be a result of periodontal disease, which is a leading cause of adult tooth loss. Recent research also indicates a possible connection between periodontal diseases and heart disease. Therefore, you can consider visiting a dental professional regularly to allow them to identify any symptoms of gum disease and recommend appropriate treatment.

Patients with diabetes, smokers, and those suffering from dry mouth syndrome are more likely to acquire periodontitis. Symptoms of a periodontal disease include bleeding, swollen, or sore gums; it can also cause pain when eating food, halitosis, and sensitive teeth. Gum disease develops gradually, starting with gingivitis, which involves swollen, red gums that tend to bleed when you brush your teeth. Other symptoms of gingivitis disease that you ought to be aware of and address with a licensed dentist include receding gums and painful gums.

The main causes of early-stage gum disease include poor dental hygiene and missing dental exams. Below the gums, plaque accumulates and hardens into tartar, or calculus, providing a breeding setting for bacteria and germs. Tartar aggravates the gingiva, the gum area at the teeth’s base, and acts as a barrier that protects germs. To prevent periodontitis, it is essential to visit a dental professional for comprehensive teeth cleaning to help keep tartar and plaque under control.

Bad Breath or Halitosis

Even after you brush your teeth and use fluoride mouthwash as directed, some people still suffer from bad breath. If this describes you, you may avoid social situations out of embarrassment. Numerous reasons can contribute to bad breath, including:

  • Inconsistent Dental Hygiene

If you don't brush your teeth well enough, the leftover food particles in your mouth can become a food source for bacteria. Bacteria break down the food faster in the perfect warm environment of your mouth, and this can result in bad breath. Whenever you breathe out, there is a possibility of releasing an unpleasant odor, which is known as foul breath.

  • Periodontal Disease

When a person does not take proper care of their teeth for an extended period, plaque begins to accumulate excessively in the gaps between teeth and along the gum line. Gingivitis, an inflammation of the gums, can develop when the decay becomes severe enough to weaken the sensitive tissue between teeth. If left untreated, this issue can progress into periodontal disease. One indication of gum disease is persistent bad breath, even after brushing.

  • Prolonged Illnesses

Certain medical conditions can cause key organs, such as the kidneys, to malfunction, which can result in bad breath. For instance, individuals with chronic kidney failure may exhibit breath that smells like ammonia or fish. Those with diabetes may encounter low blood sugar levels, leading to a fruity odor in their breath.

  • Smoking

Smokers usually smell awful since the chemical residues from smoking stay in their mouths and airways, causing foul breath. Smoking for an extended period can also lead to gum disease, which worsens halitosis.

  • Food

The food we eat daily has a significant impact on the scent of our breath. Strong-smelling foods, like garlic, may temporarily cause bad breath. Other meals, such as spicy or cabbage-based foods, that enter the blood can cause persistent odors. Digestive gases can also produce strong odors.

While there are numerous ways to treat halitosis, like using mouthwash, breath fresheners, breath mints, etc., they are only short-term fixes. A reputable dental practice suggests that patients schedule comprehensive examinations twice a year to identify issues early on. Professional oral cleaning can eliminate the buildup of hardened tartar and plaque before it causes halitosis.

Tooth Decay

Tooth decay serves as the second most common dental issue in the nation, following the common cold. Cavities are caused by plaque buildup between teeth, above the gums, and around the margins of previous fillings. Bacteria thrive on this sticky material when it combines with starches and sugars released from our food.

Different bacterial strains create acid, penetrating the tooth’s enamel and eroding it, eventually reaching the dentin, the calcified tissues that make up the tooth’s structure. Regular visits to the dentist can help prevent oral decay and cavities, as dentists can identify cavities before they become serious. Cavities can form at the teeth’s base, around old fillings, or in teeth that have not previously experienced issues.

Tooth decay can affect anyone, even those who practice good oral hygiene. As you age, the teeth’s roots become softer and more exposed, making them vulnerable to bacteria. Your dentist can take the following actions to treat tooth decay:

  • Examining your gums and mouth thoroughly
  • Inquiring about sensitivity and toothaches
  • Using dental tools to probe each tooth to find any soft spots
  • Taking oral X-rays to assess the extent of cavity development

Depending on the type of cavity you have, there are numerous treatments available for dental cavities. We recommend to our clients that they drink fluoridated water and use toothpaste with fluoride due to its natural antibacterial qualities. Fluoride products are effective in treating cavities and can even halt the tooth decay process in some cases. If you visit the dentist promptly upon noticing a cavity, we can extract the damaged area and use a composite filling to repair the tooth.

Another restorative technique for teeth with cavities is dental crowns. After removing the decayed areas, the dentist would place a specially constructed covering over the remaining portion of your tooth. If the cavities reach the tooth pulp through the enamel, they may require root canal therapy. Following the removal of the diseased pulp, your dental professional will treat the area to prevent the infection from spreading and seal it with a dental filling.

In severe situations, a tooth may sustain too much damage to be repaired. To prevent infection of the neighboring teeth, it is best to extract the diseased tooth. Your dentist can recommend placing a bridge and crown to close the space and prevent the neighboring teeth from shifting.

Misaligned Teeth

Misaligned teeth can affect your natural smile and lower your self-esteem. An underbite or open bite may result from overcrowded or misaligned teeth. Regular dental checkups can help identify these issues early, allowing you to straighten your teeth with braces.

A dental facility that aims to enhance your smile can offer several orthodontic services and cosmetic dentistry procedures. Your dentist can provide teeth whitening services to remove stains and discoloration. They can also apply veneers to straighten teeth and fill gaps between them. Dental implants can replace missing teeth, functioning as a root to support artificial teeth such as dental crowns or dentures.

Grinding your teeth is a harmful habit that can lead to loose or cracked teeth and even migraines. Your dentist will likely recommend stress-reducing activities such as meditation, along with prescribing a mouth guard to protect the teeth.

Sensitivity of the Teeth

Tooth sensitivity is a common issue that many people encounter from time to time, often triggered by consuming hot or cold foods and beverages. This sensitivity, whether on a single tooth or several, can be brought on by ice cream, cold air, or even just cleaning and flossing. It can cause severe discomfort and pain that may last for hours or just a few minutes.

When teeth become sensitive, some people opt for over-the-counter medications, but this only provides a temporary solution. Teeth sensitivity could indicate a dental abscess or damaged teeth, which need immediate attention to stop the oral infections from spreading to other parts like the jawbone. If you experience tooth sensitivity, an advanced dentistry facility can recommend scheduling an appointment for proper treatment of the underlying issue.

Overcrowding 

Another oral problem that can be avoided with regular dental visits is overcrowding. If you notice food getting stuck in some areas or overlapping teeth becoming more obvious, it's time to schedule an appointment with the dentist. The shifting of our teeth as they grow can affect our smiles, as noted by the American Association of Orthodontists. Additionally, crowded teeth are harder to maintain, raising the risk of decay and bone erosion.

Routine dental checkups can help identify tooth movement and assist in creating a treatment plan. Dental experts are also skilled at bonding and reshaping teeth, particularly in cases of broken or chipped teeth. While some aesthetic issues can be quickly resolved, it's important to consult a skilled dentist to learn how to achieve that gorgeous smile again.

Your dentist is capable of identifying if you have cavities in your teeth. Cavities usually occur when one tooth is pressing against another. Although these teeth may not cause any immediate issues, they could lead to complications in the future that may require removal by a dental surgeon.

Hyperdontia refers to a disorder that causes an individual to grow more teeth than the normal count of 32. When these additional teeth emerge, your dentist can identify and remove them. If hyperdontia is the issue, your dentist can then use the appropriate orthodontic treatment to correct your bite.

Oral Cancer

By the end of the year, an estimated 53,000 individuals are expected to be diagnosed with either oropharyngeal or oral cancer, a deadly and prevalent disease. This issue is not confined to the US alone; by the close of 2019, the World Health Organization forecasts an additional 450,000 cases worldwide.

The Oral Cancer Foundation estimates that only fifty-seven percent of newly diagnosed individuals will survive for more than five years due to the lethal nature of this disease. Compared to other cancers, such as cervical, testicular, and Hodgkin's lymphoma, to name a few, oral cancer has a higher fatality rate. Several reasons contribute to these alarming statistics, including delayed diagnosis and treatment initiation.

Dentists are working hard to persuade patients to schedule routine checkups to identify early warning signs of oral cancer and provide accurate diagnoses. For example, abnormal cell development can cause white (leukoplakia) or red (erythroplakia) patches in the mouth. As these symptoms are precancerous, it is important to visit the dentist promptly.

Seeing a dental professional will enable them to recognize the warning signs of this serious illness. Some of these symptoms include:

  • Having loose teeth
  • You feel pain in your oral cavity
  • Having trouble swallowing
  • A spot inside the mouth that is reddish or white
  • Persistent mouse wound
  • Lumps within the mouth

These symptoms could indicate other medical problems, but only a licensed dentist is qualified to identify the causes of these conditions and offer appropriate treatment. Regular dental check-ups are crucial for cancer screening and can help reduce the risk of precancerous cells developing into malignant tumors.

Why Are Routine Dental Checkups So Crucial?

Your dentist can examine you for issues that you might not be aware of or sense. Many dental issues don't show symptoms or become painful until they are more advanced. Examples include cavities, oral cancer, and gum disease. Regular visits to your dentist can help identify early signs of illness.

Find a Northridge Dental Facility Near Me

Maintaining oral health requires a thorough awareness of the wide spectrum of potential dental issues. It is crucial to prioritize routine dental exams as the foundation of preventive oral healthcare. Regular dental checkups offer benefits that extend beyond physical health. Early detection of oral problems during these appointments can result in less invasive and costly treatment options, ultimately reducing discomfort and saving time and money.

Moreover, these consultations allow dentists to offer personalized advice on maintaining good oral hygiene habits, assisting patients in preserving their optimal dental health between checkups. Dental exams also help in implementing preventive measures to prevent potential dental problems. Contact our team at Northridge Advanced Dentistry at 818-701-3010 today to schedule an appointment.