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It\u2019s the day of your dentist appointment. You get to the office and you have no idea whether you\u2019ll be sent home smiling about your healthy mouth or if you\u2019ll need further appointments to remedy dental issues due to lack of oral care. Stop wondering if you\u2019re taking proper care of your teeth and gums! Read on to learn more about the signs of an unhealthy smile from your trusted dentist in Reno so you can be better prepared than ever for your next dental visit.<\/p>\n
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Your oral health changes just like any other aspect of your overall health. Factors like stress, medical conditions, and poor hygiene can all affect your mouth\u2019s well-being. Recognizing when your smile is unhealthy is vital because you can take steps towards positive oral health once the problem is identified. Here are some tell-tale symptoms that need a second look:<\/p>\n
Bad breath is an easy way to tell that your oral health needs improvement. First, a buildup of bacteria in the mouth from inadequate cleanings can cause bad breath in this way. Alternatively, the presence of an oral infection known as gum disease can cause bad breath which is like an alarm system for your mouth. Bad breath can alert you that there may be issues with your oral health like gum disease.<\/p>\n
Both sources, if not cared for properly, will lead to more severe oral health issues down the road like tooth loss.<\/p>\n
A major warning sign for an unhealthy smile is if your gums bleed when you brush or floss. This bleeding arises because your gums are inflamed due to lack of oral hygiene. This can also be the beginning stage of gum disease.<\/p>\n
Gum disease can still be reversed so visit your dentist as soon as possible to combat it before it turns into full on gum disease.<\/p>\n
Even though canker sores and cold sores can affect healthy mouths, you\u2019ll see more of them if you have an unhealthy smile. These sores are more likely to develop if you are stressed or there is a lot of bacteria in your mouth. If you develop frequent, large, or painful sores, talk to your dentist as soon as possible.<\/p>\n
Lack of saliva production can really hurt your oral health because your saliva prevents infection by controlling bacteria in the mouth. Dry mouth will usually occur the same time as other symptoms like sores because certain areas of your mouth are not getting the saliva they need.<\/p>\n
Dryness can further complicate existing oral health problems like bleeding gums and decay, but it can also indicate shortcomings in your diet like not drinking enough water or eating too much sodium.<\/p>\n
If you find yourself with bad breath, irritated gums, sores, or dryness, contact your family dentist in Reno to restore health to your smile. Letting these symptoms fester will only lead to further oral health problems down the road.<\/p>\n