5 Most Common Dental Problems and How to Prevent Them

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 3.5 billion people worldwide suffer from oral diseases. This equates to about half of the world’s population. Fortunately, visiting your Palo Alto dentist and learning about common dental problems and their causes can be really helpful when it comes to prevention. Below are 5 of the most typical dental issues, along with their prevention tips. 

  1. Gum disease 

Gum disease is a widespread dental issue. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, gum disease affects almost half of adults aged 30 years and above. 

Usually, there are two forms of diseases that can affect the gums: Periodontitis and gingivitis. Gingivitis is a milder type of gum disease that makes the gums swollen and bleed. The advanced stage of this condition, called Periodontitis, is when plaque build-ups beyond the gum line. Eventually, this causes the bones and gums supporting the teeth to deteriorate. 

The easiest way to avoid this condition is to practice good dental hygiene, such as regular brushing, flossing your teeth, eating a balanced diet, and visiting your dentist for regular cleanups. Once the plaque calcifies into tartar and extends beyond the gum line, treatment options may include scraping, antibiotics, or even surgical procedures. 

  1. Cavities (a.k.a Caries or Tooth Decay) 

Tooth decay is the most prevalent non-communicable disease worldwide.  Usually, it is caused by plaque formation on teeth. The plaque produces acids that cause the enamel to decay, eventually causing cavities (small holes in the tooth).  

Cavities can be avoided by practicing basic dental hygiene. This involves flossing and brushing your teeth after each meal. It is advisable to brush with fluoride toothpaste, as it helps harden the tooth enamel. In addition, avoid sugary foods like candies, cakes, raisins, and sodas. These foods, when left on teeth, results in acid production. 

Treatment for dental cavities depends on the severity of the decay.  One treatment option entails getting rid of decay and filling the hole carefully with a dental filling. Another option is to replace the infected part of the tooth with a crown. Also, there is the root canal option, which entails removing the infected pulp in the tooth.  

  1. Bad Breath (a.k.a Halitosis)

This condition is characterized by a bad odor in the mouth. It is usually caused by poor dental hygiene, dry mouth, and lingering food particles and remains in your mouth. 

For a relatively common dental problem, there are several ways to prevent halitosis. The most common way is observing good oral hygiene. Brushing teeth and the tongue at least twice a day is an excellent way to start. 

Bad breath caused by dry mouth can be addressed by drinking water regularly or chewing gum or mints. 

If the source of the unpleasant odor is a dental infection, consult any of the top dentists in Palo Alto for treatment.  

  1. Sensitive teeth 

When the enamel wears away, and the dentin is exposed, your teeth become sensitive to hot and cold meals and drinks. The dentin contains tubules that lead to the nerve inside the tooth. Cold or hot foods/beverages can pass through the tubules to the nerve and can cause excruciating pain. 

Possible causes of sensitive teeth include:

  • Tooth decay
  • Gum disease
  • Enamel erosion 
  • Worn-down crown or fillings
  • Receding gums
  • A broken or cracked tooth
  • Naturally thin enamel layer 

There are various types of mouthwashes and toothpaste meant purposely for use with sensitive teeth. Your Palo Alto dentist may also suggest a fluoride treatment, gum graft, root canal, or gum graft. The preferred treatment largely depends on the severity of your condition. 

  1. Oral cancer 

According to the Oral Cancer Foundation, nearly 53,000 people in the U.S are diagnosed with cancer of the throat or mouth every year. 

Oral cancer is believed to be one of the most serious dental illnesses. It often starts as a painless white patch in the mouth that is barely noticeable. This patch widens and develops ulcers as it grows. The majority of oral cancers are linked to heavy tobacco and alcohol use, as well as infection by the human papillomavirus (HPV).

To prevent oral cancer, besides practicing good oral hygiene and a healthy diet, plan regular visits to the dentist for checkups and oral cancer screening. 

Get these common dental problems treated early

Dental problems can affect your confidence, quality of life, and overall health. Reach out to the best dentist in Palo Alto whenever you notice symptoms of any of the conditions listed above so that treatment can commence as soon as possible. And don’t also forget to honor your bi-annual dental appointments to keep these dental problems at bay.

Article resources:
Information in this article has been gathered from multiple public health sources, including:
https://www.who.int/news-room/
https://www.cdc.gov/oralhealth/
https://www.webmd.com/oral-health/
https://www.healthline.com
https://oralcancerfoundation.org/

Schedule Dental Appointment with Top Dentist in Palo Alto

What Precautions Do I Need to Take During Invisalign Treatment?

Are you embarrassed of being seen with your metal braces? And are you tired of keeping up with their maintenance? If so, it’s time to simplify your life by choosing Invisalign. These clear dental aligners are far superior to their predecessors, and, best of all, they necessitate just minor lifestyle modifications. 

Maintaining dental hygiene may be difficult for anybody wearing braces, but with the revolutionary Invisalign teeth aligners, you wouldn’t have to drastically alter how you brush, avoid specific foods or go about your everyday tasks.

The best Invisalign treatment in Palo Alto, CA has transformed the current orthodontic sector. Invisalign offers virtually invisible aligners, but like with metal braces and other dental treatments, proper maintenance is required to guarantee the product’s full efficacy. 

Following is a list of things and precautions you need to take during your Invisalign treatment in Palo Alto, CA. But before we go ahead with the precautions, here is a quick review of what is Invisalign: 

What Is Invisalign, And How Does it Work? 

Invisalign in Palo Alto, CA is a popular orthodontic procedure that you may want to explore for crooked, crowded, or misaligned teeth. Invisalign uses a set of custom-made aligners made of transparent, medical-grade plastic to shift your teeth into the proper position slowly. These spacers are replaced every 1-2 weeks, and the complete treatment lasts an average of twelve to eighteen months. 

You are expected to wear each set of aligners for 20-22 hours per day for best results. However, the best part about Invisalign is that the aligners can be removed, allowing you to eat, drink, brush, and floss without the restrictions of traditional braces. This implies that you may continue with your usual oral health regimen but with a few preventive measures to guarantee that your teeth and gums remain healthy, as this is critical to the success of your procedure. 

It is also critical to keep your Invisalign aligners clean, not only because lodged bits of food can spread bacteria but also because discolored aligners are more evident to others, undermining the purpose of choosing an invisible tooth straightening procedure. As a result, we recommend that you take the measures listed below to have a smooth treatment with outstanding results. 

Precautionary Measures to Take During Invisalign Treatment: 

  1. Keep Your Aligners Clean and Sanitized. 

Keep your Invisalign aligners clean by rinsing them at least once per day. You can use lukewarm water or Invisalign cleaning crystals to clean your aligners. This helps guarantee that the food particles, if stuck to your aligners, do not proliferate and damage your natural teeth. You may also use a toothbrush and toothpaste to brush away any bits of food and plaque.

In addition, make sure you brush your teeth before putting aligners back in your mouth to avoid food particles or food stains from damaging them. 

  1. Think About Your Snacks and Their Schedules Carefully. 

Do you like to eat tiny portions throughout the day rather than three square meals? If this is the case, you may need to modify this habit to give your Invisalign aligners adequate time to work. Note that Invisalign’s effectiveness depends on your ability to wear it for 20-22 hours each day. If you wish to consume foods or drinks, you must remove the aligners beforehand. If you don’t, you will reduce the life of your aligners and reducing the efficacy of the procedure.

Taking too many snack breaks may reduce the time you wear your aligners. To prevent this from happening, plan your meal breaks ahead of time! 

  1. Avoid over consumption of highly pigmented foods. 

If you are used to drinking coffee, tea, or wine and inclined to sip one cup after another to keep yourself going, you may need to reconsider this habit since these beverages can stain your aligners if not removed ahead of time. Removing your aligners too often will also compromise the end result.

Your dentist will also advise you to refrain from smoking while you have your aligners on as it will stain your aligners.

Patients do not need to completely avoid highly pigmented foods, such as coffee, tea, wine, some soft drinks and dark colored berries and sauces, but reducing intake and cleaning your teeth thoroughly before wearing your aligners will go a long way in giving you a brilliant smile once your treatment is complete.

  1. Keep your aligners in the tray provided when not in use. 

When you are not using your aligners, you must keep them in their container. If you keep them out in the open, you risk exposing them to airborne infections and bacterial growth. You also risk losing or damaging your aligners if you don’t keep it in their case. Make sure to always have your aligner case available. Don’t forget to take them with you when you travel.  If you leave your Invisalign out for a few hours, make sure you clean them thoroughly before putting them back on. 

Final Thoughts: 

Do you want a perfect smile but don’t want to wear regular braces? Best Invisalign treatment in Palo Alto, CA may be the best orthodontic treatment option for you. 

If you are considering Invisalign, contact Cambridge Dental Studio today! Cambridge Dental Studio is a Gold Plus+ Invisalign provider! A Gold Plus+ Provider status is awarded to those dental practices who have advanced education and experience in treating Invisalign cases. 

We are here to answer any questions that you have and will create a personalized treatment to suit your lifestyle and budgetary needs. 

Call us today at 650-382-3069 and don’t forget to ask us about our Invisalign Special!

Read More About Invisalign Dentist in Palo Alto CA