What You Need to Know About Your Oral Health
When it comes to protecting your oral health, most people need to know more than just how many times a day they should brush. Even if you brush and floss daily, schedule regular visits with family dentist in Oregon City Dr. Brett Johnson, and avoid eating foods high in sugar, you can still develop a number of oral health problems.
From bad genetics to bad luck, a number of elements can conspire against you that can cause you to suffer from broken or cracked teeth, receding gum lines, bad breath, or any number of oral health concerns. With such a diverse number of problems that present themselves, you can have a number of questions about how to take care of your oral health. To help keep your teeth healthy and strong, here are the answers to a few common oral care questions.
Do teeth with crowns require any special treatment?
While the crown itself doesn’t need any special care, you need to remember that the tooth underneath the crown is still susceptible to decay and gum disease. So just because you have a crowned tooth doesn’t mean you can start neglecting oral hygiene in that part of the mouth. You need to continue brushing and flossing nightly, especially around the area where the crown meets the gum line.
What can be done about a receding gum line?
If caught during the early stages of gum disease (gingivitis), you dentist should be able to repair any damage done. However, if gum disease is allowed to progress to periodontal disease, the damage to your gums may be irreversible. Schedule a visit with your dentist to determine the state of your gums. If the damage has become irreparable naturally, a number of gum grafting procedures exist that can fix the problem.
You shouldn’t ignore a receding gum line or put off seeking treatment. Keep in mind that your gums act as the only barrier between the bones along the gum line that support your teeth and bacteria. Failing to repair your gums increases your risk of tooth loss.
How do you treat gingivitis?
The first step towards treating gingivitis is visiting Dr. Johnson in order to determine how far the disease has progressed, and whether bone damaged has occurred. Once the stage of the disease has been determined, Dr. Johnson will then advise you about the best treatment methods. If your gingivitis is in an early stage, all you may need to do is improve your nightly oral hygiene routine by brushing, flossing, and using mouthwash more frequently. If the disease has progressed, your dentist my refer you to a periodontist, a specialist in treating gum disease.
What cause hot and cold tooth sensitivity?
A receding gum line could cause your problems with tooth sensitivity to hot and cold foods and drink. As your gum line starts to recede from your teeth, the roots of a tooth become exposed. Eating and drinking hot or cold items can irritate the roots of a tooth, which in turn stimulates the nerve of a tooth and causes pain. In addition to treating your receding gum line, you may also consider switching to a toothpaste specifically designed for sensitive teeth.
What is periodontitis?
A more advanced form of gum disease, periodontitis occurs when gingivitis is left untreated. During the advance stages of the disease, the interior layer of the gum and bone separate from the teeth and create pockets. The alveolar bone is also destroyed. You will need to seek treatment from a periodontist to treat this disease.