Thanks to advancements in dental science many more people are retaining their own teeth into old age. This is driving the need for more dental service providers and demand for reputable dentists, such as this dentist Petrie has never been greater.
But, visiting the dentist once or twice a year isn’t enough by itself. You need to be aware of the most common causes of dental and oral disease in order to take the appropriate steps to avoid these issues arising. Don’t forget that your oral health is directly linked to your overall health.
Neglect
This is the biggest cause of dental and oral health issues. Neglect means not brushing your teeth or looking after your oral health. Everyone should brush their teeth twice a day for two minutes at a time.
You should use a circular motion and not press too hard. It’s also a good idea to floss every evening and you can use mouthwash to kill harmful bacteria.
The point of this routine is to prevent the buildup of plaque in your mouth. Every time you eat the sugars in your food react with the bacteria in your mouth. The side-effect is acid, which eats away at the hard enamel coating on your teeth.
Over time this creates holes in the enamel, allowing bacteria into your teeth. They then eat the inner pulp and cause damage to your nerves, eventually weakening the tooth.
The only options at this point will be the root canal or extraction.
In addition, the sugars and food debris stick to your teeth, creating plaque. This increases the ability of bacteria to attack your teeth and gums, effectively creating a hiding place for them.
Again, brushing is essential to remove this plaque and protect your teeth.
Other Products
It’s not just the sugars in your food that can cause tooth decay and oral health issues. Alcohol and tobacco have also been linked to reduced oral health. They encourage tartar buildup and tobacco has even been linked to an increased risk of oral cancer.
Other foods that are high in sugar should also be avoided. For example, fizzy drinks can contain as much as 11 teaspoons of sugar per serving, that’s a lot of potential damage to your teeth.
Brushing At The Wrong Time
You should note that brushing within half an hour of eating will potentially damage your teeth. This is the time when the acid is starting to attack your teeth. If you brush during this period you’re brushing the acid into your teeth and gums, increasing their potential to cause damage.
Trauma
Trauma is an obvious cause of oral damage. But, it can also contribute to poor oral health. Trauma, such as cracked or chipped teeth allows bacteria into your teeth. These can then move into your bloodstream and cause an array of additional problems.
Dry Mouth
Another cause of oral health issues is dry mouth. Salvia is very effective at washing acids away, reducing the risk to your teeth. If you suffer from dry mouth, which can be caused by a variety of drugs and medications, your defense against oral disease will be weakened.