How Does Your Dental & Oral Health Affect Your Overall Health?

What is the Importance of Oral Health?

Oral health is important for many reasons. It helps prevent tooth decay and gum disease and keeps your teeth and gums healthy. Good oral hygiene can help to prevent bad breath, and it can also help to reduce the risk of other health problems such as heart disease and stroke.

How Does Oral Health affect Overall Health?

When plaque builds up, it causes bacteria to harbor. This can lead to periodontal disease, which affects not just your mouth but other parts of your body. If left untreated, periodontal disease could lead to heart problems like diabetes; it’s even possible for oral bacteria to spread throughout your bloodstream. Visit our dentist near Hedwig Village, TX, for immediate treatment when you notice gum disease symptoms.

What are the Common Oral Health Problems?

Some of the common oral health problems include:

• Tooth Decay
• Gum Disease
• Sensitive Teeth
• Impacted Teeth
• Cracked and Chipped Teeth
• Bad Breath
• Root Canal Infection

What Causes Oral Health Problems?

Several factors can lead to oral health problems, and they include:

• Poor oral hygiene is a cause of gum disease, bad breath, and tooth decay.
• Chronic dry mouth
• Poor diet
• Smoking and tobacco use
• Consumption of sugary foods. Sugar can cause cavities and even lead to tooth erosion if you don’t brush your teeth after eating it.
• Medical Conditions and Treatments. It’s important to understand the medical conditions that can cause oral health problems. For example, diabetes is a common cause of gum disease. See our general dentist at 77024 for an examination if you have pre-existing medical conditions.

How Oral Problems are Detected and Treated?

Oral problems can be diagnosed by a comprehensive examination that includes visual inspection, charting of the teeth and gums, and periodontal probing. Our dentist in Houston, TX will look at your teeth, gums, and tongue. They may also take an x-ray or perform other tests depending on what they find during their examination. If a specific problem is suspected, additional tests may be necessary.

Several treatments can be used to treat oral health problems, and they include:

1) Fluoride Treatment

Fluoride treatment is a way to prevent cavities and improve oral health. It involves applying fluoride gel, foam, or varnish to the teeth. The fluoride treatment can be done by a dentist or at home using fluoride products.

2) Dental Fillings

Dental fillings are made of a material that’s strong enough to support the tooth but soft enough to prevent it from breaking or cracking. Several types of dental fillings include gold-impregnated composite resin and amalgam.

3) Root Planning and Scaling

Root planning and scaling remove tartar and plaque from your teeth below the gumline. This helps improve oral health by preventing gum disease and tooth decay.

4) Root Canal Treatment

A root canal removes the infected pulp from inside the tooth. The pulp is removed, and the root canal system is cleaned. A material called gutta-percha, originally used for making tennis balls, is then filled into the root canal system to seal off whatever bacteria may be present. This prevents further infection from occurring and helps prevent future problems with your teeth or gums.

5) Tooth Extraction

Tooth extraction is usually done to relieve pain or to prevent further damage to the teeth or jawbone. The most common reasons for tooth extraction are tooth decay (cavities), toothache, and impacted teeth.

What are the Tips to Avoid Getting Oral Health Issues?

Here are some important tips to avoid getting oral health issues:

• Brush with fluoride toothpaste and floss daily
• See a dentist regularly to prevent gum disease and cavities.
• Eat a healthy diet filled with fruits and vegetables to reduce the risk of gum disease. Avoid frequent snacking between meals, especially sugary snacks that can cause tooth decay (cavities)
• Reduce the amount of sugar by eating fewer sweets, sugary drinks, and processed foods
• Drink plenty of water each day for good oral health
• Use an antiseptic mouthwash.
• If you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, ensure to see your dentist regularly for checkups and cleanings.

Visit a General Dentist Near you

The most frequent ones include tooth decay and gum disease, but impacted teeth, cracked or chipped teeth can also cause pain. Give us a call or set an appointment with our general dentist at Lynn Alan Palmer DD if you have any of these problems so that your mouth doesn’t become infected or, worse yet, lose an entire tooth!