Common Oral Health Issues

Having a healthy mouth is vital to having good overall health. Here are some common oral health issues. 

Toothaches occur when you either have a cavity or gum disease. Sometimes, a toothache may be a sign of an impacted tooth. If you have a toothache, make an appointment with your dentist to determine what the cause is.

Do your teeth hurt when drinking too hot or too cold beverages? Then you may have sensitive teeth. Your teeth may become more sensitive as a result of tooth decay, fractured teeth, worn fillings, worn tooth enamel or an exposed tooth root due to gum recession. If your sensitive teeth are bothering you, make an appointment with your dentist to see about treatment options.  

Do your gums bleed when you brush or floss? This can be a sign of gum disease. If your gums bleed enough to worry you, make an appointment with your dentist to check your gums.

There are different types of mouth sores, which include canker sores, cold sores, leukoplakia and candidiasis. They could be a symptom of a disease, an infection from bacteria, an irritation from braces, dentures or a sharp edge from a broken tooth. Make an appointment with your dentist if the sore lasts for longer than a week.

Does your breath smell? What you eat, not properly cleaning your mouth, dry mouth, smoking or another medical condition can cause bad breath. If you have persistent bad breath, this can be a warning sign of gum disease. Proper oral hygiene is one way to combat bad breath. Make an appointment with your dentist to figure out what is causing your bad breath.

Does your jaw click when you chew or do you have jaw pain? Numerous things can cause this to happen. Some causes are sinus problems, toothache, arthritis, teeth grinding, gingivitis or TMJ. See your dentist to get a complete exam to determine the source of the pain.

Saliva helps the mouth to self-clean and prevent tooth decay. If you have dry mouth, this can lead to tooth issues because saliva helps to wash away food, neutralizes acid produced by bacteria and provides a way to fight disease. If you are having dry mouth, ask your dentist for a way to increase your saliva production.

Do you have an oral piercing? It can cause a wide range of oral health problems. Your mouth has many bacteria and these bacteria can cause an infection. If you have any signs of infection, contact your dentist ASAP.

Do you have a cracked tooth? This can be caused by brittle teeth, grinding your teeth or an injury. It may be invisible to your eye but can cause incredible pain. If you have pain while chewing, contact your dentist.

As we age, our teeth may become stained. This is due to eating certain foods, smoking, aging, genetics or certain medications. There are ways to whiten your teeth. Ask your dentist for details.

Smiles by Bergen Dental is conveniently located in Midland Park New Jersey, within minutes from Ridgewood, Wyckoff, Glen Rock, Paramus, Ramsey, Allendale, Saddle River, and Ho-Ho-Kos, We welcome new clients of all ages!

If you're interested in having a brighter, whiter smile, contact Smiles by Bergen Dental and make an appointment. Smiles by Bergen Dental is in Bergen County, conveniently located in Midland Park, within minutes from Ridgewood, Wyckoff, Glen Rock, Paramus, Ramsey, Allendale, Saddle River, and Ho-Ho-Kus.