Overlooked Dental Signs | When Your Mouth is Talking – Listen Up!

We’ve all done it: you look in the mirror and notice something that is off be it our face, hair, or teeth. However, most of us sit there for a bit pondering whether or not it’s an alarming issue and then decide to brush it off for now and see if it will dissipate on its own.

What you don’t realize – at least in the heat of the moment – is that these small signs may be pointing to an issue deeper than what is shown on the outside.

In case you ever find yourself questioning your mouth, your Newport Beach dentist, Dr. Steve Ngo, has provided a small list of dental signs below that are often overlooked.

Sharp Pain

Sharp pain is distinctive in nature. It happens quickly and aggressively and is usually due to an issue of sensitivity caused by tooth decay. When our teeth become decayed, there’s a chance that holes/pits/pockets will develop and these expose the tooth’s roots. When food or fluid comes into contact with the hole, you will feel sharp pain. A simple dental filling would correct the situation.  

“My teeth look off”

When you find that your teeth look off, it’s probably because they are – due to periodontal disease (i.e. gum disease). You may notice teeth that are loose or crooked in appearance. If this happens, you should get in touch with your dentist as soon as possible. Periodontal disease can be reversed up to a point so waiting around for the problem to resolve itself will not benefit you.

Bleeding, Red, Swollen Gums

Blood is always an alarming incident. However, in dentistry some bleeding is to be expected from certain actions such as flossing or brushing too hard. However, swollen gums combined with red, bleeding gums are not something to brush off. This is a sign of periodontal disease and the earlier you get to your dentist, the better your chances of reversing it.

Toothaches

The most common form of pain in the mouth - that happens to be the most overlooked – is a toothache. Far too often people use over-the-counter pain medication to numb the pain. If the pain goes away in a day or two, you’re probably fine. If it persists, then stop taking pain meds and call your dentist because you most likely have a cavity that needs prompt treatment.

Truth is, all of these dental problems are highly preventable and are often the result of poor oral hygiene habits. In other words, brush and floss your teeth! It’s equally important to visit your dentist twice a year on top of your dental routine (and more often if you have perio disease).

Why You Shouldn't Ignore Untreated Cavities or Tooth Decay

Let's Talk Facts First

A 2012 report by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Center for Health Statistics found that one in every five Americans has an untreated cavity.

The American Dental Association cited how more people are on Medicaid, but many states have cut back dental coverage in their Medicaid programs to save money.

The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research reports that tooth decay caused by cavities is one of the most common types of chronic diseases.

20 percent of children, ages 5 to 11, had untreated cavities. 13 percent of young people, ages 12 to 19, had untreated cavities, while adults, ages 20 to 44, were at a whopping 25 percent.

What happens if a cavity remains untreated? 

When someone has an untreated cavity, bacteria attack the enamel of the tooth. However, a dentist can treat this with a fluoride treatment. If the cavity is left untreated, the bacteria can affect the dentin part of the tooth.

When decay reaches the dentin, you may experience pain. To stop more damage from happening, you need to get the cavity filled.

If the cavity is not filled, then decay will progress to the nerves and blood vessels, which will likely mean a root canal, followed by a crown.

If a cavity still goes untreated, the infected pulp will eventually die, which leads to an abscess. This causes severe pain and swelling around the tooth. It can progress to the point where your tooth cannot be saved and will have to be pulled.

While a cavity cannot kill you, an untreated bacterial infection anywhere in your body, including your mouth, can possibly be fatal. Even if the cavity is not treated, you should at least get an antibiotic to treat the infection.

Did you know: Many folks may not realize that when a tooth gets cavity, the bacteria that caused the cavity can spread to another tooth and cause a new cavity.

Over time, untreated cavities can also lead to possible serious problems with your jawbone.

Tooth Decay is a Highly Preventable and Treatable Situation 

The good news is that early treatment can stop new cavities from spreading. As mentioned earlier, if a cavity is caught early on, a tooth-colored filling or composite bonding can stop the problem from getting worse. However, if the cavity is larger, then a root canal and crown may be needed.

Of course, the best way to prevent cavities and tooth decay is early detection by a dentist. These days, dentists use high-tech equipment like X-rays, Spectra (ultraviolet light) and the Planmeca ProMax 3D Mid, which takes very detailed dental X-rays without people having to bite down on X-ray film.

It’s important to remember that a cavity will not fix itself. While it may seem like a minor problem today, a cavity will only get worse and worse if left untreated.

You can avoid serious and expensive complications by getting your cavity treated as soon as possible. Stop waiting and make an appointment with an experienced dentist today so that you don’t have to needlessly suffer in the future.

Dental Bondings for Fillings

As mentioned before, dental bonding is a fast way to fix small chips and fill in gaps between teeth. However dental bonding can be used in restorative dentistry as well. Previously, many dental offices used amalgam filling to remove cavities and seal the affected area. Amalgam fillings were not very aesthetic. as they were made of different metals and left a shiny metallic appearance on dental work.

Now the resin used in dental bonding is used to replace these unsightly amalgam fillings. Dental bonding uses resin that is made with special plastics and can be colored to match your natural tooth. With new dental bonding fillings, your dental work is less noticeable and still seals off the area effectively to protect your tooth. If you have amalgam fillings, or suspect that you might have a cavity, visit our office or give us a call to have all your questions answered about dental bonding. Visit our website for more information on the procedure.

Newport Beach Dentist Reviews Toothbrush Options to Avoid Cavities

Electric, rechargeable battery toothbrushes are the most expensive, but include more special features. Most of these brushes have built-in countdown timers to alert you when you have brushed long enough. Some even have small LCD screens to show how many seconds and minutes have passed, as well as display additional information, such as remaining battery life. A few models of electric brushes have pressure sensors that detect and alert when you are pushing too hard on your teeth. Electric toothbrush heads must also be replaced occasionally. Many brands also sell separate sanitizers to keep your brush heads clean after each use.

Keep in mind that some lower-end electric and battery-powered toothbrushes may have leaky battery compartments. If a water leak occurs, it is recommended that you refrain from using the toothbrush for risk of electric shock.

Our office offers Free Sonic Care Tooth Brush and Free Teeth Whitening*. For more information about our latest laser dental treatments or offers please call us (949) 760 0363 or click Newport Beach Family Dentist.
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