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Tooth Decay
Caries,
or tooth decay, is a preventable disease. While caries might
not endanger your life, they may negatively impact your quality
of life.
When your teeth and gums are consistently
exposed to large amounts of starches and sugars, acids may
form that begin to eat away at tooth enamel. Carbohydrate-rich
foods such as candy, cookies, soft drinks and even fruit juices
leave deposits on your teeth. Those deposits bond with the
bacteria that normally survive in your mouth and form plaque.
The combination of deposits and plaque forms acids that can
damage the mineral structure of teeth, with tooth decay resulting.
Sensitive
Teeth
Your
teeth expand and contract in reaction to changes in temperature.
Hot and cold food and beverages can cause pain or irritation
to people with sensitive teeth. Over time, tooth enamel can
be worn down, gums may recede or teeth may develop microscopic
cracks, exposing the interior of the tooth and irritating
nerve endings. Just breathing cold air can be painful for
those with extremely sensitive teeth.
Gum
Disease
Gum,
or periodontal, disease can cause inflammation, tooth loss
and bone damage. Gum disease begins with a sticky film of
bacteria called plaque. Gums in the early stage of disease,
or gingivitis, can bleed easily and become red and swollen.
As the disease progresses to periodontitis, teeth may fall
out or need to be removed by a dentist. Gum disease is highly
preventable and can usually be avoided by daily brushing and
flossing. One indicator of gum disease is consistent bad breath
or a bad taste in the mouth.
Bad
Breath (Halitosis)
Daily
brushing and flossing helps to prevent the buildup of food
particles, plaque and bacteria in your mouth. Food particles
left in the mouth deteriorate and cause bad breath. While
certain foods, such as garlic or anchovies, may create temporary
bad breath, consistent bad breath may be a sign of gum disease
or another dental problem.
Canker
Sores
Canker
sores (aphthous ulcers) are small sores inside the mouth that
often recur. Generally lasting one or two weeks, the duration
of canker sores can be reduced by the use of antimicrobial
mouthwashes or topical agents. The canker sore has a white
or gray base surrounded by a red border.
Orthodontic
Problems
A
bite that does not meet properly (a malocclusion) can be inherited,
or some types may be acquired. Some causes of malocclusion
include missing or extra teeth, crowded teeth or misaligned
jaws. Accidents or developmental issues, such as finger or
thumb sucking over an extended period of time, may cause malocclusions.
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