5 dental symptoms not to ignore farmers branch champion dental clinic best dentist dallas fortworth texas

Which 5 Dental Symptoms You Should Never Ignore?

It could cost you more than you think

5 dental symptoms not to ignore farmers branch champion dental clinic best dentist dallas fortworth texas

When you have dental symptoms that are not normal, it indicates that there is a potential problem. The problem may not be something to get concerned about, but, on the other hand, it could indicate a major threat to your health. It is not unusual for sores and other problems to occur in the mouth, but some indicate the need to see a dentist soon. 

 

Oral Cancer

Every year, oral cancer continues to rise. This year, more than 51,000 people will be diagnosed with it. This cancer typically spreads fast, making the need for early detection very important. 

Oral cancer is often without any pain in the early stages. This makes it hard for someone to know that they have it unless they are watching for symptoms, but a dentist can better detect them. The symptoms may also occur in the throat and may be very difficult to see. 

Oral cancer symptoms may include red or white patches in the mouth or lumps in the neck or throat area. Other sores may also become cancerous. Any sore that has not healed within two weeks should be seen by a dentist. A dentist is trained to recognize cancer and other diseases, and can also take initial biopsies. 

 

Pain in a Tooth

When you have strong pain in a tooth, it is time to see a dentist. Most likely, you already have made an appointment because the pain is almost unbearable and you want relief. If the tooth really hurts, you may also have inflamed gums and pus at the gum line. This could be an abscessed tooth.

An abscessed tooth is a serious problem. The inflammation can easily spread, especially if it is in your upper jaw, into your face and even your brain. If this happens, it could be fatal. Most likely, it will mean that a root canal is needed. 

 

Loose Teeth

If one or more of your teeth have become loose lately, you need to see a dentist quickly. This is a symptom of advanced periodontitis, but other things can cause it as well. Gum disease is often nearly painless until it reaches the advanced stages, and you will most likely experience pain when you try to bite down on those loose teeth. 

Bleeding gums are another symptom of gum disease. You will also likely have inflamed gums and pus along the gum line. Your gums will also have started receding, and you will likely have chronic bad breath. 

Periodontitis is caused by an immune reaction to bacteria invading your gums. The immune reaction becomes an autoimmune reaction and it starts attacking your gums, the ligaments that support your teeth, and your jawbone. 

Once your teeth become loose, it is certainly time to visit your dentist. Special gum disease treatment is needed to remove the bacteria. The longer you wait, the greater the damage. In order to remove the bacteria and inflammation, the dentist will need to give you antibiotics and may need to perform a non-surgical procedure called scaling and root planing – which removes the bacteria from the pockets that have formed on your gums. 

Surgical procedures may also be needed to replace missing gum tissue. In order to replace missing teeth, bone and gum grafts may be necessary. 

 

Dry Mouth

Having a dry mouth may not seem much like one of the dental problems you should watch for, but it really is. This problem can be serious if you are concerned about keeping your teeth looking good. 

Your saliva helps keep the bacteria and acid in your mouth under control. Whenever some of the bacteria come in contact with sugar, it produces acid. The acid is what causes cavities. Without enough saliva, there is more bacteria and acid in your mouth, which leads to developing sensitive teeth and cavities sooner. It will also help to promote gum disease.

Staying hydrated will help you produce more saliva, and so will chewing sugarless gum. Stay away from drinks that are considered diuretics, which include coffee, tea, alcohol, and more. Since some medications can also cause it, you may need to talk to your doctor about changing medicines.

 

Tooth Sensitivity

When a tooth becomes sensitive, it is because the enamel has become thin. Because of the thin enamel, the food particles, spices, and hot or cold temperatures can penetrate it and get to the nerve inside the tooth. This causes pain. 

The pain is an indication that a cavity is on the way. It already needs to be repaired. In some cases, tooth sensitivity may result from some dental treatments, but it will usually go away after a few days. 

 

If you have any of the above dental symptoms, you can get dental treatment for all of them from Champion Dental Clinic, Farmers Branch, TX. We regularly treats dental problems ranging from oral cancer to periodontitis – and much more. 

dry mouth home remedy dfw tx

What Are Some Home Remedies for Dry Mouth?

How to Help Get Rid of Dry Mouth Symptoms

dry mouth home remedy dfw tx

Dry mouth can be an ongoing problem for those who have it. It is also called xerostomia. In addition to just being a nuisance and causing bad breath, it can also make it harder to do ordinary things like eat, speak, and even digest food. One of the greatest problems, though, is the effect that it can have on your teeth. 

 

Why Dry Mouth Is a Problem

Some bacteria in your mouth turn sugar into acid. The acid attacks the enamel on your teeth, which leads to pitting and thinning of the enamel. This will soon lead to a cavity. The same bacteria also cause gum disease – including periodontitis. Saliva helps keep bad bacteria under control. The longer you have problems with dry mouth, the more damage you will have to your teeth and gums. 

Acidic foods and drinks, such as sodas and fruit juices, as well as coffee and tea, help to add acids to your mouth. This acid will also help to erode the enamel on your teeth and gums. Saliva, when there is sufficient amounts, helps to wash the acid away from your teeth. 

 

Causes of Dry Mouth

There are several causes of dry mouth. They may include:

  • Medications – Many medications (over 400 of them) are capable of producing a dry mouth. In general, they include medications for high blood pressure, diuretics, NSAIDs, steroids, antihistamines, antidepressants, and more. 
  • Medical Diseases – Several diseases often result in the dry mouth syndrome, including diabetes, anemia, deficiencies in nutrition, autoimmune disorders, Parkinson’s, depression, some cancers and cancer treatments, and more. 

A few other situations may also lead to a dry mouth. This can include stress, pregnancy, breastfeeding, hormonal changes, and trauma to the head. Sleep apnea, along with using a CPAP machine, is another reason for dry mouth. 

 

Natural Remedies for Dry Mouth

When your mouth is not producing enough saliva to eliminate your dry mouth symptoms, there are some dry mouth remedies that you can use to help. They include:

  • Reduce your intake of caffeine – it is a diuretic and helps your body eliminate urine – making your mouth drier. 
  • Sip water regularly – make sure you are drinking water throughout the day. Keep it with you. Also, keep a glass of water at your bedside for when you wake out of sleep with dry mouth and lips.
  • Chew sugar-free gum – chewing sugar-free gum will help your mouth produce more saliva. Look for gum with xylitol, a sugar substitute that does not encourage the production of more acid. 
  • Avoid drinks with a lot of sugar – this includes sodas, as well as juice drinks and other drinks, such as coffee with a lot of creamer, etc. The sugar spurs the production of more acid. 
  • Stop using tobacco of any kind – tobacco reduces your production of saliva, and also reduces your immune system in your gums. 
  • Breathe through your nose – breathing through your mouth will dry out your mouth further, making it even worse. If you cannot breathe through your nose due to allergies, see a doctor for relief. 
  • Get a humidifier – if you notice that your dry mouth problems are worse at night, adding a humidifier to your bedroom can help add moisture into the air. 
  • Change medications – many medications, as mentioned above, can cause dry mouth. If your symptoms started after starting a new medication, or if you believe a medication is causing it, talk to your doctor about a different prescription. 
  • Cut back on alcohol consumption – alcohol will help dry out your mouth and body faster than most anything. Eliminate it completely for best results. Watch out for mouthwashes with alcohol in them – some mouthwashes contain some alcohol in them. Alcohol will only make a dry mouth worse. 

Xerostomia Treatment

While you have dry mouth, it is even more important to maintain good dental health. Start by making sure that you follow a daily routine of brushing your teeth twice a day for at least two minutes each time, and by flossing before you go to bed. 

 

Get Regular Dental Checkups

Effective dry mouth treatment makes it necessary that you keep an eye on the condition of your teeth. A dentist can do this best and help provide you with proper dental care as needed. When problems with your teeth or gums develop, they can be treated before they become serious – and costly. For best results, you should visit your dentist at least twice a year. 

 

If you live in the Farmers Branch, TX area, you can get dental checkups and affordable great care for dry mouth from Champion Dental clinic