Gum Pain

Treating Gum Disease

Periodontal disease affects your gums, starting as gingivitis and advancing to periodontitis. It’s caused by bacteria infecting the soft tissue around your teeth, leading to plaque and tartar buildup.

Diseases And How To Spot Them

Top 3 Oral Diseases and How to Spot Them

According to the World Health Organization, oral diseases affect half of the world’s population. In the United States, people spend over $124 billion a year on problems related to poor dental health.

While technologies can help oral health specialists battle the majority of problems, prevention remains the most important weapon alongside timely diagnosis. That’s why it’s imperative to be aware of oral disease symptoms and spot them timely.

The most common oral diseases are:

Let’s take a closer look at the symptoms of these serious conditions.

1. Tooth Decay

More than 90% of adults aged between 20 and 64 have had dental caries in permanent teeth. Tooth decay is one of the most common health problems in the world. Thankfully, it can easily be fixed with proper dental care and timely visits to the dentist’s office.

The common symptoms of tooth decay are:

  • Toothache — the pain can be different. It can occur sporadically or continuously. At the early stages, cavity-related pain is rarely acute. It may feel dull and become worse at nighttime.
  • Tooth sensitivity — you may experience pain when brushing your teeth or eating/drinking something hot or cold. You could also feel a sharp pain when eating something sweet. Such sensitivity isn’t necessarily a sign of cavities but warrants a doctor’s visit anyway.
  • Visible tooth damage — visible holes or pits in your tooth.
  • Stains — black, brown, and white stains anywhere on the tooth can be a sign of caries.
  • Pain — you can feel a sharp pain when biting on hard foods.
  • Bad breath — foul breath even after you’ve brushed your teeth and flossing.

If you notice any of the above symptoms, call your dentist. By spotting the first signs of this oral disease early and acting upon them, it’s possible to avoid complicated treatment.

2. Periodontal Disease

Gum disease is a conniving problem. If not treated timely, it can lead to such serious issues as heart disease, stroke, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, and immune system problems. Almost 65 million Americans suffer from periodontitis, an advanced form of periodontal disease.

This inflammatory condition affects soft and hard tissues that keep teeth in place. Its symptoms include:

Periodontal disease is preceded by its mild form called gingivitis. By addressing gingivitis timely, it’s possible to prevent tooth loss and other serious consequences. You can prevent gingivitis with proper dental care.

3. Oral Cancer

Oral cancer is the least common of the three. According to the American Cancer Society, in 2021, 54,010 people will suffer from oral cancer. While it’s less common than other oral health issues, oral cancer is dangerous. 

The symptoms include:

  • White or red patches on the gums, tonsils, or other areas inside the mouth
  • A lip or mouth sore that doesn’t heal for a long while
  • A lump inside the mouth
  • Mouth pain
  • Problems with swallowing
  • Continuous bad breath
  • Weight loss

The good news is that oral cancer is treatable. The key to battling the disease is kicking bad habits (smoking, alcohol) and arranging regular visits to the dentist. A dentist can spot early signs of oral cancer before it becomes hard to treat.

The Takeaway

While oral diseases are unpleasant, they are preventable. By following good dental habits and arranging timely visits to your dentist, it’s possible to enjoy top-notch oral health and avoid serious problems.

To learn more about oral disease treatment and prevention, don’t hesitate to contact us at any one of our office locations

Diet For Healthy Teeth

The Diet for Healthy Teeth

Your content goes here. Edit or remove this text inline or in the module Content settings. You can also style every aspect of this content in the module DeBrushing and flossing your teeth each day is just the first step in keeping your smile healthy. Choosing nutritious snacks and meals that provide vitamins that benefit your teeth and are low in sugar and other cavity-causing ingredients can be just as important. Filling your plate with fruits, vegetables, whole grains, protein, and calcium-rich foods ensures that your diet benefits your teeth and the rest of your body. Here are some of Today’s Dental’s top tips for planning the best diet for your teeth!

Top Food Choices to Boost Your Oral Health

It’s no secret that some foods are better for your teeth than others. Here are some ingredients to look for when planning snacks and meals that provide the most benefits for your teeth and gums!

Calcium

Calcium is your teeth’s best friend. Foods that are high in calcium strengthen your teeth and bones, which helps prevent cavities and certain types of injuries. Dairy products, such as milk, cheese, and yogurt are generally the best sources of calcium. Other calcium-rich foods and drinks include almond milk, almonds, green vegetables, salmon, and tofu.

Phosphorus

Phosphorus also helps strengthen your teeth. Some foods that are rich in phosphorus include eggs, nuts, dairy products, fish, and lean meats, such as chicken and turkey.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C is a must for healthy gums. It is most plentiful in citrus fruits, and it can also be found in a variety of vegetables, such as potatoes, broccoli, tomatoes, spinach, and peppers.

Think Before You Snack

When you’re in the mood for a snack, do you reach for whatever is closest to you or fits an immediate craving? Mindless snacking often leads to overeating and making choices that do nothing for your body and can cause cavities. Here are some tips for making mindful choices when selecting your snacks this week!

Replace Sweets With Healthy Snacks

Candy and other sugary treats don’t make the best snacks. They don’t fulfill any nutritional needs, and they can harm your teeth. Instead, swap them for fruit, vegetables, cheese, nuts, popcorn, yogurt, and other healthy snacks. If you’re stuck on coming up with new ideas that satisfy your taste buds, look no further than this list of 121 easy and healthy snacks!

Keep Healthy Snacks Accessible

Most of us tend to reach for the snacks that take the least amount of effort to prepare. Tearing open a package of cookies is quicker and easier than spending five minutes cutting up a bowl of fruit or vegetables, which can lead you to make unhealthy choices. Instead, cut up your produce as soon as you bring it home and store it in ready-to-eat bowls in your refrigerator. Enjoying celery with a scoop of peanut butter and adding granola or fresh berries to your yogurt are simple ways to make healthy snacks even more delicious.

Minimize Sugar to Prevent Tooth Decay

Excessive sugar isn’t good for your teeth, and it can make you feel tired and sluggish. Many sweet snacks, especially soda and processed desserts, contain more sugar than you might think. The American Heart Association recommends consuming no more than 36 grams of sugar each day, and it’s easy to eat double or triple that amount if you aren’t paying attention. Make a habit of reading nutrition labels to keep track of the amount of sugar you’re consuming and look for naturally-sweetened options and other snacks that are low in sugar.

Brush Your Teeth After Snacking

Just like after meals, brushing and flossing your teeth after eating snacks can remove food particles from your teeth to minimize cavities and decay. If you can’t brush, rinsing your mouth with water can also help clean your teeth.     Choosing the right snacks is an important step in setting your teeth up for a healthy future. At Today’s Dental, we are committed to keeping patients throughout Omaha and surrounding areas informed about more ways to keep their smiles beautiful for decades. Contact us today to learn more about the services we offer or to schedule an appointment! sign settings and even apply custom CSS to this text in the module Advanced settings.

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