How do I know if I’m doing it right?
Our oral hygiene routine can become just that: routine. The problem is that when we don’t pay attention as we clean our mouths, our oral health falls through the cracks. So, how do we tell if our oral health is beginning to fail?
Signs of poor oral hygiene
1. Tooth sensitivity
If a tooth suddenly becomes sensitive to heat or cold, it may have a cavity or thinning enamel. The acids in the mouth could be eroding the outer tooth and exposing the dentine and pulp to irritants in the mouth. Aggressive brushing, teeth whitening products and teeth grinding can also cause the enamel to wear off.
If the tooth is only sensitive to pressure, it may be cracked. Teeth crack when they bite down on hard substances like ice chips and popcorn kernels.
Tooth sensitivity should be treated by a dentist. If no cavity or crack is found in the tooth, the dentist will prescribe fluoride-rich dental treatments. If sensitivity is caused by a cavity or crack, the dentist will restore the tooth.
2. Bad breath
Halitosis is a common sign of poor oral hygiene. Not only is it socially unacceptable, but bad breath is also a good indicator that the bacteria in the mouth are working to cause tooth decay and gum disease.
Bad breath that is noticed personally or worse, pointed out by others is a wake-up call that should push a person to change their bad oral habits. The simple remedy is to clean and floss the teeth twice a day and after meals.
However, if bad breath comes with bleeding gums or aching teeth, it is time to seek treatment for gum disease or dental caries. Bad breath may not always be caused by a dental problem. The dentist or doctor should be consulted if bad breath persists even with good oral habits and healthy teeth.
3. Oral thrush
A person with weakened immunity is more likely to get a fungal infection in the mouth, especially if they have poor oral hygiene. The infection manifests as white bumps on the tongue and inner cheeks.
Oral thrush should be treated immediately because if left untreated, it can lead to health complications. Treatment will not prevent future recurrence of the infection. Only a commitment to good oral hygiene can do that.
4. Mouth sores
Sores or tender spots in the mouth may be an indicator of health problems in the mouth and the rest of the body, especially if they keep returning.If the lesions are found to be canker sores, the doctor or dentist will diagnose the root cause and prescribe a course of treatment.
Keep your dentist appointments
In any case, you need a dentist to get a good look at the parts of your mouth that you cannot see. And if you keep regular appointments, the worst that the dentist can do is clean plaque from your teeth.
Request an appointment here: https://www.preferreddentalcenter.com, or call Preferred Dental Center at (210) 822-8500 for an appointment in our San Antonio office with our doctors, Dr. Andres Biaggi and Dr. Jordan Walterscheid.
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