If you are like most people, you most likely think nothing of your teeth and gums until they begin to give you problems. Sadly, many dental issues can be quite painful and can cause an array of uncomfortable side effects until you treat them with the help of your dentist. Of course, the best medicine is prevention, and here are five ways that you can prevent five of the most common painful dental issues.
Toothache
Toothaches are most often caused by cavities. Although cavities may seem innocuous because they afflict so many people, they can actually cause huge problems, such as tooth loss and infection. Preventing toothaches is easy. All you need to do is floss and brush your teeth regularly and see your dentist at least twice per year for cleanings, x-rays and checkups.
Tooth Sensitivity
Tooth sensitivity occurs when you feel pain after eating or drinking something very hot, cold or sweet. It most often occurs around the molars where the gums decrease in size due to age, genetics or poor self-care. To prevent this, try using a toothpaste made for sensitive teeth. You will have to use this toothpaste regularly for good results.
Bone Loss
Each of your teeth are secured into your jawbone. When you experience bone loss in this area, you could also experience loose teeth. If you have missing teeth, dental implants are a good way to keep up healthy bone in this area because an implant is secured into the bone rather than the gums.
Gingivitis
Gingivitis refers to unhealthy gums that are red, sore and inflamed. You may have gingivitis if your gums bleed when you brush or floss them or if you have pockets between your teeth and gums. To prevent this painful problem, brush twice per day and floss daily. You should also have regular dental cleaning, should avoid tobacco products and should eat a well-rounded diet.
Dry Socket
Dry socket is a painful problem that can occur after you have a tooth extracted. It occurs when the blood clot in the empty tooth socket is moved, leaving your nerves open to the air. To prevent this, you should follow your dentist’s follow-up instructions carefully, wait to clean the socket area for at least 24 hours and eat only soft foods right away.
By following proper preventative care as recommended by your dentist, cleaning your teeth properly at home, flossing regularly and addressing small concerns as soon as they come up, you can often avoid most if not all of the most common painful conditions that afflict the oral cavity. Tooth loss, decay and oral issues do not have to be a normal part of the aging process. Instead, you can enjoy great quality of life with a beautiful smile well into old age.
