Dentist in La Porte Warns of 5 Oral Health Threats to Avoid

Did you know that poor oral health has been connected to lung infections, heart problems, diabetes, and Alzheimer’s? The state of your mouth can often be linked to the state of your body. To that end, it’s important to be aware of the various threats that can damage your mouth and gums – and of course, how to avoid such issues. Here are 5 common oral health problems that you and your dentist in La Porte need to watch out for.

1. Plaque and Tooth Decay

The most common – and perhaps the most famous – issues with teeth are plaque buildup and tooth decay. When you consume too much sugar or don’t brush and floss well enough, the bacteria on your teeth will start to eat through the outer enamel layer of the tooth, forming a cavity. One study found that 91% of American adults between ages 20 and 64 had one or more cavities.

If decay is not treated, it can eventually reach the pulp of the tooth and infect it. Not only can this be very painful, but if enough damage is done you could end up needing an extraction. This is one reason why your biannual checkups at the dentist are important; if a cavity is caught early enough, it can be treated before it can reach its most harmful stages.

2. Periodontal Disease

Periodontal disease – also known as gum disease – is similar to tooth decay in that it involves a bacterial infection. The earliest stage is gingivitis, which can cause bleeding, swollen gums; it can eventually advance to periodontitis and, eventually, tooth loss.

Some studies suggest that bacteria in your gums may enter the bloodstream and contribute to problems in other areas, such as the brain and heart. To that end, you should seek periodontal treatment at the first sign of gum disease.

3. Bruxism

Sometimes stress or improper jaw alignment will cause you to grind your teeth at night, a condition referred to as bruxism. This can wear away at enamel and may even cause you to crack a tooth. A nightguard is usually prescribed for patients with bruxism.

4. Poor Diet

Everyone knows that sugar is bad for your teeth, but that’s not the only aspect of your diet you need to watch. Malnutrition can weaken the body’s immune system, making it harder to fight off infections; this can greatly impact how other oral health threats affect your mouth. To that end, make sure that you’re eating well-balanced meals; dairy products such as cheese and yogurt or crunchy fruits and vegetables such as apples and celery can be particularly good for your teeth.

5. Reckless Use of Your Teeth

Do you sometimes use your mouth to open packages? Not a good idea. Hard objects like bottle caps can damage the tooth, and the edges of packing materials can cause cuts. It’s better to use some sort of opening tool to do the job.

These are just a few things that can threaten your teeth and gums; there can be other factors such as tobacco use or physical trauma. This is why, in addition to maintaining good brushing and flossing habits, you should always have a very good answer to the question, “Where is a good dentist near me?”

About the Practice

At Region Dental, Drs. Daniel Berquist and Joseph Ornelas provide patients in La Porte with excellent personalized dental care. During a checkup, in addition to regular cleanings, they’ll perform an oral cancer screening, an annual gum evaluation, and a TMJ evaluation to check for jaw problems. To schedule an appointment, visit their website or call (219) 362-8980.