Do you pay close enough attention to your mouth? Things happening with your dental health, including the soft and hard tissues in your mouth, could signal there’s something deeper happening with your body. Alternatively, if you leave problems like gum disease left untreated, it could cause problems in other areas of your health. Here is what you should know. 

Oral Health

The Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion defines oral health as “the health of the teeth, the mouth, and the surrounding craniofacial (skull and face) structures.” Oral health not only affects your mouth, though. If problems are left untreated, it can also cause problems throughout your entire body. 

Common Dental Health Problems 

The most common dental health problems according to Verywell Health are:

Bad breath

Formally known as halitosis, bad breath can be caused by a number of other conditions, like many of the ones listed below. If you have persistent bad breath, take it as a sign that something deeper is wrong. 

Tooth decay

These are cavities. Cavities happen when plaque builds up on the teeth and attaches itself to sugars and starches of the foods and drinks you consume. You are susceptible to cavities no matter your age. If left untreated, they can cause more pain than just sensitivity. 

Gum disease

Also known as periodontal disease, this is when your gums have an infection. Infection can happen if good oral hygiene isn’t practiced. Gingivitis is the beginning stages of gum disease, which can be turned around. This is why it’s important to visit your dentist regularly, floss daily, and brush twice a day as well. 

Oral cancer

If found in the early stages, oral cancer can be cured. The risk factors include using alcohol and drugs, like tobacco, and more. Symptoms of oral cancer can be sores and lumps in the mouth, change of bite, or difficulty moving the tongue or jaw. 

Mouth sores

In most cases, mouth sores will go away on their own within a couple of weeks. The most common sore is a canker sore, but sores can also be caused by fever blisters or cold sores that come from the Herpes simplex virus. 

Erosion

This happens when the tooth’s structure is attacked. Thankfully, tooth erosion can be easily prevented with good dental hygiene.  

Tooth sensitivity

When the teeth become sensitive it’s most likely due to an underlying problem. It can cause pain when trying to drink or eat hot or cold things.

Dental emergencies

Emergency trips to the dentists unfortunately happen, but in most cases can be prevented by taking care of your teeth and visiting the dentist regularly. However, sometimes trauma or injury happens which can cause dislocated jaw, deep wounds, and more. 

While dental problems can be treated, if you don’t act fast they can cause deeper problems for your overall health. 

Overall Health Problems 

Your oral health can affect your overall health in a number of ways. Alternatively, your overall health can play a part in your oral health as well. 

For example, you can be more susceptible to gum disease if you have underlying conditions like diabetes, HIV, or others that affect your body’s immunity. Gum disease also has links to cardiovascular disease and other heart problems. 

Seeing the Dentist to Prevent Problems 

The best defense in preventing oral health problems is by practicing good oral hygiene, which means seeing the dentist often. It’s easier to prevent problems in some cases rather than treat them, which is what a dentist is trained to do. The dentist can see parts of your mouth that you aren’t able to see with your own eyes, which means they can catch problems early that you might not be able to notice until it’s causing you pain. 

It’s recommended to see your dentist every six months so they can help you stop gum disease, clean plaque and tartar off your teeth, and deep clean your mouth.

We can’t do everything on our own, which is true in regards to our mouths as well. Though we can brush and floss each day, we can’t fully catch and treat problems just from doing that alone. 

Make an Appointment with Dr. Ania

Dental problems that are left untreated can carry problems throughout your entire body. If you want to take action and prevent oral health problems from taking over your health, make an appointment with Dr. Ania today. Dr. Ania’s experience, expertise, and commitment to your overall health will make sure you get the best care possible. It’s her top priority to make sure your oral health is optimal. Call today for an appointment: (303)-872-9940.