Know When You Need Dental Care Near Kansas City by Watching for These Issues
For such a small part of your body, plenty of issues can crop up in your mouth. But if you’re mindful, you’ll spot warning signs of these minor to serious problems. By partnering with a local dentist, you can get the dental care you need.
Watch for these five common dental problems and be sure to make an appointment for dental health services if you’re concerned.
You Feel Anxious During Your Dental Exam or Dental Care Appointment
Dental anxiety is a major culprit in preventing people from getting the dental health services they need. Panic attacks, a sense of dread, nausea, and more are all symptoms that you may have dental anxiety.
Thankfully, modern offices provide comfort dental care, focused on helping patients relax during their appointments through the use of easier-to-use technology, customized spa-like services to make visits feel more like home, and more. E-Care Dentistry in Olathe is one such practice that offers these amenities to every patient, so if you’ve been afraid to see a dentist for years, it’s worthwhile to schedule a dental exam at an office that cares about your comfort.
Cavities Can Be Found During a Dental Check-up
Cavities can sneak up on you, but don’t worry if you find out you have one during your dental exam. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 26 percent of adults in the U.S. have an untreated cavity at any given time.
What is a cavity? When a tooth decays, a hole can form in the outer layer of your tooth and can deepen and grow over time. Most cavities are easily fixed. Your dentist will use a special drill to remove the decaying part of your tooth. Then, they’ll fill the resulting hole with a special material, called a filling. Modern, tooth-colored fillings have replaced the less-reliable silver ones from the past and are virtually undetectable.
You may suspect you have a cavity if you experience tooth pain or sensitivity to hot, cold, or sweets, or when you bite down. Sometimes, the pain seems to occur for no reason at all. More severe cavities may be visible as pits in your teeth, or you may notice dark-colored staining on the surface of your teeth. Cavities are generally found during dental check-ups, which is why it’s important to visit your dentist for preventative care and cleaning at least every six months.
Gum Disease Affects More Than Just Your Mouth
Almost half of all American adults have symptoms of gum disease, with about 9 percent suffering from severe gum disease, according to the CDC.
Chronic disease goes hand-in-hand with poor gum health. A weakened immune system, autoimmune disease, and even cardiac health issues are common comorbidities with gingivitis and periodontitis. That’s why it’s so important to receive regular dental care.
Gum disease, like gingivitis or the more severe periodontitis, can cause inflammation of the gums, bleeding, and pain. With periodontitis, the gums begin pulling away from the teeth and create “pockets,” which can fill with debris and become infected. Watch for the earliest signs of these, such as sore gums, bleeding when brushing and flossing, or plaque build-up you can’t seem to overcome.
Severe gum disease may require oral surgery to correct; don’t wait to pursue dental care until it’s too late.
Your Teeth Are Loosening or Falling Out
Gum disease, cavities, and overall poor oral health can cause your teeth to fall out. Missing teeth affect your daily life, both in how people perceive you and in how you eat and talk. Losing your teeth diminishes your quality of life.
Tooth loss and loose teeth occur for various reasons, including an uneven bite that applies too much force on only one or two teeth; bruxism (tooth grinding during sleep); smoking; injuries; gum disease; and more. If you’re attentive, you’ll notice when your teeth loosen, as you can feel it when you chew or as your teeth make contact with other teeth.
A dentist can spot loose teeth during a dental exam, so if you suspect you have an issue, make an appointment. Your missing teeth can be replaced during oral surgery by way of installing titanium rods into your jaw bone for dental implants, or you could be fitted for a bridge or denture to fill in the spaces your missing teeth left behind.
You Have Unusual Spots or Sores in Your Mouth
Older adults are more prone to oral cancer, especially if they’ve smoked or drank heavily. However, anyone can get oral cancer, even if they live a healthy lifestyle and take care of their teeth and gums.
One of the earliest signs of oral cancer is lip or mouth sores that don’t heal; a white or red patch inside your mouth; or a growth or lump. You may also experience loosening teeth, oral pain, ear pain, and difficulty swallowing.
Regular dental check-ups include oral cancer screenings, in which your dentist will examine every surface of your mouth, under your tongue, and around your jaw.
Need a Local Dentist Who Provides Comfort Dental Care in a Spa-Like Setting?
If it’s time for a dental exam, make an appointment at E-Care Dentistry, where you’ll find the experience and exceptional care you need to maintain good oral health. Conveniently located in Olathe, Kansas, E-Care Dentistry offers a menu of special services designed to help patients relax during their appointments. In fact, you might even grow to enjoy going to the dentist’s office!
Get started today by calling us to schedule an appointment, or request a timeslot online.