Everything You Need to Know About Oral and Dental Health

Pain is the most visible sign and an indication of an oral or dental problem. Unfortunately, by the time pain is present it can be too late. 

For example, teeth pain is often the result of an infection either from ongoing damage to the dental enamel and underlying dentin which has reached the sensitive inner pulp, or it could be an infection in the underlying jaw bone. It's possible at this point that the tooth is beyond preserving and may require being extracted. 

Seeing early signals and taking action could likely prevent the loss of teeth. 

In any case, once you notice pain in the mouth, jaw, face, or neck you should see a dentist as soon as possible. When pain is present, it’s time to take action and not prolong the situation. Even a mild ache or dull pain can be a sign of an advanced underlying disease.

Ulcers and sores are a sure sign that something may be amiss. 

Most of the time, small ulcers and sores in the mouth may be nothing more than canker sores or cold sores. This is not always the case though. 

You should be especially wary of ulcers or sores that remain for long periods of time, that appear without explanation, show a change in color, or seem to grow in size. These can be signs of something much more severe, such as an infection, infectious mononucleosis, hand, foot, and mouth disease, celiac disease, an autoimmune disorder, or oral cancer.

Be prepared to monitor minor sores and ulcers, and see us immediately if you notice the ulcer spreading, growing, or refusing to go away. 

Signs of serious disease include ulcers with white patches may be a sign of leukoplakia or oral lichen planus.

Unexplainable tooth loss, or loose teeth in adults, is a major problem.

Tooth loss means that either the tooth itself or the underlying jaw bone has lost structural integrity. That is not good. Tooth loss and loose teeth often point to severe dental decay or periodontal disease. Worse, if left unaddressed periodontal disease can spread throughout the jaw resulting in widespread bone destruction. In some cases, rampant periodontal infections can even be fatal.

Even if the underlying infection is contained, the damage to the bone is often permanent and irreversible. Once a tooth is lost, there is no going back. Thankfully, patients who have lost teeth as a result of natural aging, periodontal disease, or even trauma can replace their missing teeth with natural-looking, natural-feeling artificial teeth called dental implants or All-On-4 dental implants.

Bleeding, particularly during brushing and flossing, is quite common. Along with swollen gums, bleeding from brushing and flossing is a surefire sign of some form of gingivitis. These are natural physiological responses to infections in the soft tissue.

While common, bleeding and swelling in the gums should never be overlooked. Many who exhibit such symptoms of gingivitis will go on to develop a periodontal disease which can impact a person’s oral health.

The only way to reduce or eliminate bleeding, swelling and other symptoms of low-grade gingival infection is to brush and floss correctly and get regular dental checkups. 

Inflamed gums that bleed with gentle probing often indicate gingivitis has progressed and periodontal disease may not be far behind.

Nothing is more embarrassing than being told that you have bad breath, often called halitosis. Halitosis isn't always cured by chewing gum or brushing your teeth. Often times bad breath is simply the result of poor oral hygiene habits. Chronic bad breath that does not respond positively from a thorough oral and dental hygiene routine can often be a sign of something else or a symptom of dental caries or periodontitis. 

Also, the bad odor may be the result of tooth decay. Periodontal disease not only causes bad breath but can also be accompanied with a foul taste in your mouth as well.

Dental sensitivity is the result of worn enamel or a penetration in the tooth that has reached the sensitive dental pulp beneath the enamel. 

The enamel, or hard outer shell, of a tooth, does not have nerve endings or “feel” pain or sensitivity. Any dental sensitivity, particularly to hot or cold, is a sign that the enamel may be in trouble. For those with fillings, it may indicate that the filling is worn or loose and needs to be replaced. It may also indicate that an infection is present around the edges of the filling. 

Sensitive teeth and worn enamel may also be a sign of bruxism or teeth grinding.

Even when sensitivity to hot or cold is relatively mild and there is no chronic pain, I recommend you have it checked out by a dentist or oral surgeon. At the very least if a thinning enamel is a problem a dentist can recommend a treatment plan for sensitive teeth. 

In the worst case scenario, the dentist may uncover a micro-cavity or infection that needs to be treated. In any case, it is far better to identify the potential problems rather than letting them become a more severe problem later.

Receding gums can be the result of either toothbrush abrasion, gingivitis, or periodontal disease.

Early detection and treatment of receding gums are critical for oral and dental health. Unlike some soft tissue injuries, gum recession can become permanent if not addressed early. 

In early stage gingivitis, mild gum recession can be stopped and the damage reversed. However, once gum recession has progressed past a certain threshold, the gums become permanently detached from the teeth. Once detached, periodontal disease is inevitable. 

Healthy gums form a tight bond with the teeth preventing food debris and bacteria from getting beneath the gums and reaching the dental roots. However, once gums have receded the natural seal is loosened resulting in pockets of infection. Worse, the body will not naturally heal or repair that natural seal.

People with severe gum recession must undergo regular deep dental cleanings in which the dentist must clean and scrape well below the gum line in order to remove debris and plaque.

Facial cellulitis, or swelling, is often a sign of a severe oral infection or deep dental abscesses and should be taken seriously. 

Once signs of facial swelling become apparent, I recommend you see us at Facial & Oral Surgery Institute. A deep dental abscess is often the result of a cavity that has been left untreated for a prolonged period of time. When a cavity has reached this critical stage, it has long eroded the enamel, dentin, and inner pulp and becomes a threat to the jaw bone and beyond.

It is critical to take facial cellulitis, or swelling, very seriously.

Call us immediately or call 911 if the swelling spreads to the upper part of the face away from the jaw or to the neck. Swollen eyelids, unusual drowsiness, weakness, fainting, or difficulty swallowing and breathing are serious signs and symptoms of an oral infection that has spread and may be life-threatening.

When your jaw makes noises with regular movements it could be a sign of a Temporomandibular Joint disorder or TMJ disorder. TMJ disorders are sometimes difficult to pinpoint and the exact causes are still unknown. What we do know is that signs and symptoms of TMJ disorder include clicking, crunching, and grinding noises emanating from the temporomandibular joint. This is often accompanied by pain, joint discomfort, lockjaw, and swelling.

If you are experiencing these symptoms I recommend you see us as soon as possible to determine an appropriate treatment plan for you. 

Dry mouth is a common side effect of many varieties of medicines. It is also a common symptom of oral disease or illnesses. 

Medications such as antihistamines, blood pressure medications, painkillers, decongestants, antidepressants, diuretics, and many others have all been implicated in causing dry mouth in people. 

Furthermore, many common diseases such as diabetes have also been known to cause dry mouth. Pain, anxiety, and stress are also factors that result in dry mouth.

While it may be difficult to pinpoint the underlying cause of dry mouth, you can be certain that it may be symptomatic of an underlying health issue. I recommend you contact us if you are having these symptoms.