• Bad Breath
• Cavities
• Dry Mouth
• Gum Disease
• TMJ
• Tooth Sensitivity
• Tooth Erosion
• Smoking

Thanks to the development of more efficient dental treatments and durable, aesthetically pleasing dental materials, today's Aspen Dental dentist is able to offer a solution for most types of dental issues and problems.

Patients tend to put off a trip to the dentist for a variety of reasons. Often it is because of what is percieved to be a multitude of treatment options available and the lack of knowledge as to what many of these techniques and treatments are.

Below area list of links to common dental issues. Take this opportunity to find out more about these issues and their possible causes and treatments

• Bad Breath
• Cavities
• Dry Mouth
• Gum Disease
• TMJ
• Tooth Sensitivity
• Tooth Erosion
• Smoking

 

Common Dental Issues and Solutions

Bad Breath:

Halitosis, or most commonly bad breath are terms used to describe noticeably unpleasant odors exhaled in breathing – whether the smell is from an oral source or not. Halitosis has a significant impact – personally and socially – on those who suffer from it and is estimated to be the third most frequent reason for seeking dental aid, following tooth decay and periodontal disease.

Causes

• Food We Eat and Digestion
• Infrequent Brushing and Flossing
  • It may seem like an obvious factor, but when you examine how limited and neglected brushing and flossing habits contributes to bad breath, the cause hits you like a brick wall -- decaying food particles and bacteria trapped in your mouth. When you exhale, the odor from the decomposing food, bacteria, and plaque causes the offensive odor.
• Oral Diseases and Infections
  • Periodontal disease is directly related to improper or neglected brushing and flossing. One major sign of this potentially irreversible oral disease is halitosis. The accumulation of plaque, bacteria, and decomposing food particles contribute to bad breath as they destroy the delicate tissue that surrounds our teeth. The same bacteria that cause gum disease, tooth decay, and abscessed teeth are also responsible for halitosis.
• Dry Mouth
• Saliva is necessary to provide lubrication the mouth to allow for proper chewing and swallowing. Saliva naturally cleanses the mouth and helps prevent cavities. If you are experiencing dry mouth, bad breath may occur because the food particles remain trapped in the mouth to rot and cause the unpleasant smell when you exhale.
• Cigarette Smoking
• Medical Conditions
• Unexplained or chronic bad breath may be an indication of an underlying medical condition or disease.

 

Treatment

Currently, chronic halitosis is not very well understood, so an effective treatment is not always easy to find. Six strategies may be suggested:

• Gently cleaning the tongue surface twice daily is the most effective way to keep bad breath in control; that can be achieved using a tongue cleaner or tongue brush/scraper to wipe off the bacterial biofilm, debris and mucus. An inverted teaspoon may also do the job; a toothbrush should be avoided, as the bristles only spread the bacteria in the mouth, and grip the tongue, causing a gagging reflex. Scraping or otherwise damaging the tongue should be avoided, and scraping of the V-shaped row of taste buds found at the extreme back of the tongue should also be avoided. Brushing a small amount of antibacterial mouth rinse or tongue gel onto the tongue surface will further inhibit bacterial action.
• Eating a healthy breakfast with rough foods helps clean the very back of the tongue.
• Chewing gum: Since dry mouth can increase bacterial buildup and cause or worsen bad breath, chewing sugarless gum can help with the production of saliva, and thereby help to reduce bad breath. Chewing may help particularly when the mouth is dry, or when one cannot perform oral hygiene procedures after meals (especially those meals rich in protein). This aids in provision of saliva, which washes away oral bacteria, has antibacterial properties and promotes mechanical activity which helps cleanse the mouth. Some chewing gums contain special anti-odor ingredients. Chewing on fennel seeds, cinnamon sticks, mastic gum or fresh parsley are common folk remedies.
• Gargling right before bedtime with an effective mouthwash (see below). Several types of commercial mouthwashes have been shown to reduce malodor for hours in peer-reviewed scientific studies. Mouthwashes may contain active ingredients which are inactivated by the soap present in most toothpastes. Thus it is recommended to refrain from using mouthwash directly after toothbrushing with paste (also see mouthwashes, below).
• Maintaining proper oral hygiene, including daily tongue cleaning, brushing, flossing, and periodic visits to dentists and hygienists. Flossing is particularly important in removing rotting food debris and bacterial plaque from between the teeth, especially at the gumline. Dentures should be properly cleaned and soaked overnight in antibacterial solution (unless otherwise advised by your dentist).
• Maintain water levels in the body by drinking several glasses of water a day.

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Cavities:

A cavity is a hole in the tooth that is caused by decay. A cavity occurs after decay has worn away at the enamel on the tooth. The best way to prevent tooth decay and cavities is brushing twice a day, flossing daily and visiting your dentist regularly. Eating healthy foods and avoiding snacks and drinks that are high in sugar are also ways to prevent decay.

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Dry Mouth:

Dry mouth is the reduced flow of saliva. Saliva is needed to help our mouth wash away food debris and control bacteria in the mouth. When you aren’t producing enough saliva, your mouth can get dry and uncomfortable.

There are many reasons why you may develop dry mouth. Certain medications, including drugs used to treat depression, anxiety, pain, allergies and colds, can have a common side effect of dry mouth. Some diseases, such as AIDS, anemia and diabetes can cause dry mouth. Also, smoking or chewing tobacco can aggravate dry mouth conditions. Symptoms of dry mouth include difficulty speaking, hoarseness, persistent sore throat, problems speaking, problems swallowing, burning sensation in your mouth and dry nasal passages. If you suffer from dry mouth, talk to your dentist about different treatment methods.

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Gum Disease:

Gum disease (gingivitis) is an inflammation and infection of the gums. It’s a progressive disease and failure to treat it can result in acute illness and loss of teeth. Usually, gingivitis can be treated with daily brushing and flossing and regular cleanings at the dentist’s office. This form of gum disease does not lead to loss of bone or tissue around the teeth. If it is not treated, it can advance to periodontitis, an infection in the gum and bones.

It is important to brush and floss regularly, as well as visit your dentist at least twice a year in order to protect against the dangers of gum disease.

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TMJ

TMJ stands for temporomandibular joint. It is the ball and socket joint that connects the lower jaw to the bone on each side of the head. The joint is stabilized by muscles that make it possible to open and close the mouth. Severe pain, discomfort or tenderness in or around these joints is referred to as a TMJ disorder.

Many people are affected by TMJ, although it occurs more often in women than men. Common symptoms include:

• tenderness or pain in the face, jaw and ear
• chewing discomfort or difficulty chewing
• headaches
• painful clicking of the jaw
• Difficulty opening or closing the mouth
• locking jaw or teeth that don't come together properly while biting or chewing

 

If you think you may have a TMJ disorder, talk to your dentist. He or she will be able to recommend appropriate treatment.

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Tooth Sensitivity:

Tooth sensitivity is very common. It is any pain or discomfort you feel to your teeth from sweets, cold air, hot drinks, cold drinks or ice cream. Some people may notice sensitivity from brushing or flossing. Fortunately, it is easily treated. Talk to your dentist about fluoride treatments that can help strengthen your enamel and improve your sensitivity. Also, try using toothpastes made especially for sensitive teeth.

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Tooth Erosion:

Tooth erosion is the wearing away of tooth enamel by acid. The enamel is the hard calcified tissue that covers and protects the outside of the tooth. If erosion is left untreated, it can cause pain, infection and even loss of the tooth.

To protect against tooth decay, brush and floss your teeth regularly, visit your dentist for teeth cleaning and checkups, and avoid sugary foods and snacks. Also, try using a straw when drinking carbonated beverages or other sweet drinks, such as natural fruit juices, which are very acidic.

If your dentist discovers that you do have a cavity, he or she will likely treat it with a filling, which is a type of restorative dentistry treatment used to repair minimal tooth fractures, tooth decay or otherwise damaged surfaces of the teeth. If the cavity damage is severe, your dentist may consider using a crown to repair the tooth.

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Smoking:

Smoking any tobacco product can have a very negative impact on your oral health. All forms of tobacco, including cigars, smokeless tobacco and hookah water pipes, create dental health concerns.

Smokers are at greater risk of developing oral cancer, a disease that progresses rapidly and can be deadly if not diagnosed and treated at an early stage. Smoking also creates an increased risk for gum disease, which is the leading source of tooth loss in adults.

Many smokers don’t realize that smoking can cause a build up of tartar in their mouths. This could require you to have dental cleanings more frequently in order to maintain a healthy mouth. Additionally, tobacco products cause permanent stains to develop on your teeth which cannot be removed from brushing.

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