How to Prevent the Most Common Dental Problems

Burning mouth syndrome, oral cancer, and TMJ (temporomandibular joint pain) are just a few of the rarer conditions a dentist sees. More often than not, patients present with one of these five most common dental problems:

  • Cavities and decay, which nearly every adult will have at some point.
  • Gum disease including its earliest stage, gingivitis.
  • Tooth crowding which often causes alignment issues that lead to TMJ.
  • Cracked and broken teeth, some of which can be ground down while others require a filling, veneer, or crown.
  • Tooth loss due to decay, periodontal disease, and root infections.

Fortunately, most of these common dental problems are preventable.

How to Prevent These Common Dental Problems 

As we age, teeth naturally weaken from years of chewing, biting, and grinding. Even people who are lucky enough to avoid serious dental problems are still at risk of eventual tooth loss due to age and personal habits. Dental problems are never fun but there are small steps you can take to help prevent most of them.

Practice Oral Hygiene Every Day 

Brushing and flossing twice a day and using an oral rinse helps to keep many common mouth diseases at bay by preventing bacteria buildup in your mouth.

Watch What You Eat 

A healthy diet is good for your entire body but can be particularly helpful in keeping your teeth and gums in good shape. A well-balanced diet that excludes enamel-eroding sugars is a good start. Periodontal disease is associated with lower levels of some vitamins and minerals like calcium, zinc, and Vitamin A. Omega-3 fats help modulate inflammatory responses, which in turn reduces the risk of gum disease.

Don’t Smoke 

It’s not good for your lungs, heart, and circulatory system. It’s also detrimental to your oral health. Tobacco stains on your teeth, risk of oral cancers, and gum disease are good reasons to consider quitting.

Drink Water 

Staying hydrated improves your smile in four important ways:

  1. Supplemented with nature’s cavity fighter, fluoride, it helps prevent decay.
  2. It washes away cavity-causing leftover food and residue.
  3. Dry mouth is avoided as you produce more tooth-saving saliva.
  4. By drinking it in place of sugary beverages you can avoid diseases like obesity and type 2 diabetes.

Manage Health Problems

Gum disease is your mouth’s fiercest foe as you age and has been linked to an increased risk of heart disease. Other health problems that might arise from poor oral health habits include respiratory infections, diabetes, pregnancy complications, kidney diseases, and cancers. Developing a good home oral health routine and seeing your dentist can help you avoid serious risk to your overall health.

Visit Your Dentist 

Many dental problems can be prevented and some completely avoided if you take control of your oral health. Regular dental visits are an important part of any oral health routine. Twice-yearly visits are most often recommended, though you might need to go more often if you already have any of these dental problems. To schedule an oral checkup and learn other proactive steps you can take to keep your mouth, teeth, and gums in tip-top shape, contact Kanehl Dental Group today.