There are times when your body doesn’t feel quite right and you shrug it off as just a bad day or blame it on not getting enough sleep. Maybe these assumptions are accurate and you go back to feeling normal the next day. When it’s your oral health that’s in question, however, neglecting to tend to an ache, a pain, or a chronic issue is almost guaranteed to backfire on you. Oral health issues are just as serious as any other problems going on with your body, and they could be a sign of serious flaws with your well-being.
Bleeding Gums
If you’ve been a flossing slacker for a long time and are getting back on track with a flossing routine, don’t be surprised to see a little blood for a few weeks as your gums get used to the activity. If your gums continue to bleed even after flossing has become second nature, however, then there is a problem that’s bigger than a little bit of sensitivity. There should never be any bleeding in your mouth when you floss or brush, especially if you’re maintaining proper preventive care and seeing your dentist every six months for a cleaning and exam. But if you are experiencing bleeding gums on a regular basis, that is a sign of early gum disease, also known as gingivitis.
Loose Teeth
Your teeth should never be loose in your mouth, unless of course you’re a seven-year-old who is frequently visited by the Tooth Fairy. While bleeding gums are a serious problem alone, combined with loose teeth this is a sure sign that gum disease has found a home in your mouth. And when the gums begin to pull away from the teeth enough to cause looseness, periodontitis is likely at a very advanced stage. The pockets that form around the teeth fill up with bits of food and bacteria, become infected, and eventually cause tooth loss. Periodontal therapy in the form of root planing and scaling will be necessary to repair the foundation of your smile and get you ready for restorative dentistry treatments like dental implants.
Dry Mouth
It’s not uncommon to occasionally wake with a mouth that’s a little bit dry, but if this is something you experience on a regular basis – or every day – then it’s time to see the dentist. There are several issues that could be happening, including a potential saliva imbalance or low saliva production. Often, however, dry mouth is a side effect of certain medications – such as those for seasonal allergies – as well as diabetes, aging, or other illnesses. Drinking water and chewing sugar-free gum with xylitol can help keep your mouth moist and stimulate saliva production, but it isn’t always enough to keep bacteria at bay and cavities on hold. You need the help of your dentist to determine the best action for eliminating dry mouth entirely.
Bad Breath
Sometimes you don’t know when you have bad breath. Sure, maybe that garlic pizza from lunch is still lingering, but if you’ve gone a few days and brushed and flossed repeatedly and your breath is still noxious no matter what you eat, there is another culprit at work. There are several problems that could be festering within, including post-nasal drip, chronic dry mouth, and gastric reflux. And, sometimes, a fruity smelling breath can indicate the presence of diabetes. If you can’t shake the bad breath, your dentist can help determine what’s causing it.
Don’t allow any oral health problems to get bigger than they should. When you’re in pain or are dealing with an embarrassing condition day in and day out, make an appointment with Dr. Sindu Gundabathula in Doylestown to discuss your preventive care options and more.
