Common but Dangerous: 5 Different Oral Health Conditions

In a strange way, learning about different medical conditions can be interesting and even kinda fun. What turns awareness into productive knowledge, however, is being informed about how to prevent these types of complications. In the spirit of these two ideas, here are five common but dangerous oral heath issues that can be avoided with some careful mindfulness.

#1. Cavities

Sometimes called tooth decay, cavities develop when bacteria build up becomes so intense it starts to eat away at your enamel. Eventually, the bacteria forms a hole in your tooth which usually requires a dental filling for protection against infection. The best way to avoid this troublesome foe is to maintain a strict oral hygiene routine and limit your sugar intake – because, by the way, sugar helps bacteria grow!

#2. Gum Disease

Gum disease is kind of like cavities for your gums. It also results from bacteria accumulation, and can spread through your gums, oral tissue, and on down into your jawbone and teeth. Needless to say, that’s a big problem! Fortunately, gum disease is simple to keep away. You’ll just have to keep up with your oral hygiene.

#3. Jawbone Deterioration

Gum disease can harm your jawbone, but so can going for too long without replacing a dental gap with a restoration. Believe it or not, your jawbone needs to receive signals from your pearly whites via direct pressure, or else it will start to recede in pockets. To truly prevent this and keep your facial structure supported, you’ll want to invest in dental implants.

#4. Injury

This one’s a little more obvious. Sometimes, accidents happen. Unfortunately, it’s not always possible to prevent a tooth from getting chipped or cracked. However, you can tilt the odds in your favor by wearing mouthguards and other appropriate dental protection when engaging in rough activities, such as contact sports.

#5. Tooth Loss

Tooth loss is an interesting condition because it can be caused by many things. Cavities, gum disease, jawbone loss, and traumatic injury can all result in losing a tooth or two. You see, your gums and jawbone support your teeth by giving them something to hold onto. If they’re damaged due to decay or physical impact, your pearly whites will become more and more loose – until they fall out entirely.

The Ultimate Preventive Measure: Your Dentist

As you might have noticed, many of these oral health conditions can be prevented with good oral hygiene! That’s why dentists recommend brushing twice daily, flossing once per day, and going in for a professional checkup and cleaning every six months. They have advanced tools for maintaining your oral health and can help you stay ahead of complications with educated suggestions. For even more prevention tips, don’t hesitate to give them a call!

About the Practice

Our team at Waterbury Smiles prioritizes your oral health – and dental education! We’ll happily check on and clean your teeth for maximum disease and infection prevention, but good habits start in the home. If your oral hygiene routine could benefit from some tips and tricks, don’t hesitate to schedule a checkup. We’ll help you keep your teeth healthy, judgement-free. To contact our office, call 203-575-9097.