It may not come as a surprise to anyone that having dental problems is both irritating and painful, but it is not something that you should easily dismiss or postpone seeking help with. However, one should be aware of the symptoms to look out for while taking care of oral hygiene. This article will guide you through the most common problems and what they might be.
Experiencing dental problems is not uncommon, and although some of them can be avoided with the proper precautions, oral hygiene, and regular visits to an orthodontist. Most problems can be treated, and early diagnosis is key; it can usually help avoid such drastic measures as tooth removal. Although at our clinic in Letterkenny, we can ensure a pain-free tooth extraction, we always urge and help our patients to prevent diseases and injuries, rather than simply treat them. In the following, we listed a handful of problems and diseases with their symptoms, and what they might be a symptom of. We aim to dispel any myths regarding dental care and help you through the process of diagnosing and treating the problems at hand.
Bad Breath
Cavities
Bad breath can be caused by either having eaten or drunk something, but also by different diseases. Bad breath, or halitosis, can be the result of periodontal (gum) disease, cavities, bacteria in the oral cavity, or even cancer. Permanently experiencing bad breath is a symptom you should not dismiss on account of food or beverages.
Cavities are probably one of the most well-known dental problems that can affect anyone and everyone, regardless of age and gender. Having a cavity means permanent damage on the hard surface of the tooth has formed. It can cause bad breath, but it can also cause mild to severe pain, inability to properly chew with the affected tooth. Experiencing symptoms like these means that you should make an appointment to get your teeth checked out. At our dentist clinic in Letterkenny, you can book your appointment online.
Tooth Erosion
Broken Teeth
Tooth erosion means that the structure of the teeth has taken damage, most commonly due to acid (from food and beverage) attacked the enamel. Symptoms may vary, but erosion can be suspected if our teeth are sensitive to cold and hot food, discolouration, if they lose their edge and get rounded, or even if they crack or break easily.
Having broken or chipped teeth is usually listed as the most common dental injury. Many people notice having chipped a tooth immediately, it mostly occurs during eating; however, you may only notice it afterwards. Since breaking a tooth is not necessarily painful in itself, you should look out for teeth sensitivity to temperature and sweets, swelling, inflammation. Breaking a tooth or having a deep cavity can lead to root canal treatment, thus if you experience either of these symptoms, consult with your doctor.
Periodontal Disease and Periodontitis
Also known as gum disease, periodontal disease means the inflammation of the gum around the teeth themselves. It can result in losing teeth; therefore it should never be left untreated. If you see or feel that your gum is red, swollen, warmer than usual, or your teeth bleed while washing, you should book an appointment with your doctor. Periodontal disease can progress into periodontitis, which is irreversible. Treating periodontal disease is extremely important since more and more studies seem to find a connection between gum disease and certain heart conditions.
We hope that we could show you that although these terms and notions might be scary, and experiencing either symptom might be worrying. However, with regular check-ups and early diagnosis, most of these diseases or injuries are easily treatable, some of them are even preventable. Do not be afraid to ask for further clarification from us.
If you or someone you care for experiences similar symptoms, we urge you to make an appointment with us as soon as possible. Having a dental emergency is not only an inconvenience but can also lead to multiple different health issues, therefore eliminating the root of the problem is crucial. Do not hesitate to call.