Maintaining your oral health can prevent a multitude of common oral health issues, including tooth decay, gum disease and bad breath.
Like other areas of your body, your mouth teems with bacteria, some of which can be harmless to your health. With your mouth being the entry point to a range of different bacteria, you have an important part to play in maintaining your oral health.
Having a healthy diet can be seen in no better place than in your teeth, so you may want to take a read of our dietary guide to maintain your oral health. From eating nutritious foods to brushing and flossing every day and visiting your dentist regularly, there are many ways you can maintain your oral health.
With that being said, you should also be aware of the signs that your oral health may need improving, which we have explained in this guide.
Bleeding Gums
Gums that bleed after brushing or flossing could be a sign of gum disease, which can put your gums at risk of inflammation due to the bacteria living in the plaque. Gum disease is more severe for those with underlying conditions, such as diabetes
Also known as gingivitis, gum disease is typically the result of plaque build-up on the teeth due to poor oral habits, such as not brushing your teeth properly or flossing. This may cause your gums to swell and bleed very easily. When untreated, gingivitis can lead to periodontitis.
Bleeding gums is a way of your body telling you that something isn’t right. With links between gum disease and general health conditions relating to the heart and kidneys, having gum disease treated when you first notice the signs is critical.
Bad Breath
Also known as halitosis, bad breath is a common oral health problem that doesn’t go away even after brushing your teeth. It can be a concern when you have bad breath that sticks around as it may indicate signs of decay, cavities or gum disease.
If you do have bad breath, you should review your oral hygiene habits and try to make lifestyle changes. You will also need to ensure that you’re brushing your teeth properly for two minutes, using dental floss and drinking plenty of water.
Pain or Toothache
Pain in the jaw or the mouth can often be caused by simple oral health conditions, such as toothache, gum disease or even sinus problems. However, pain in the jaw or mouth isn’t always related to oral health, it may sometimes be related to stress, so it’s important to visit your dentist to get any pain examined.
Feeling pain in one or more teeth requires attention and can vary in different degrees of pain, such as mild discomfort to extreme nerve pain. All degrees of pain will need to be treated professionally and addressed immediately.
Teeth Sensitivity
If you’re experiencing sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures of foods or drinks which you may not have experienced before, it may be a sign of general wear and ageing. However, sudden sensitivity can be a sign of a cavity, infection, receding gums, decay or damage to the tooth or gums. Tooth sensitivity can significantly worsen the longer you leave it, so you should visit your dentist if you’re experiencing this suddenly.
You can use specific brands of toothpaste and mouthwash to treat tooth sensitivity, but you should still visit your dentist to find out if your tooth sensitivity is caused by a more serious underlying problem.
Loose Teeth
Adult teeth shouldn’t move or fall out unexpectedly. If you do have this problem, you may be experiencing the signs of advanced gum disease or osteoporosis, so you must visit a dentist immediately.
Mouth Ulcers
Sores and ulcers are a common result of accidentally biting the inside of your mouth or eating food that is too hot. However, ulcers and sores that appear out of nowhere are a cause for concern and should be regularly monitored as they can be signs of other illnesses, such as diabetes or oral cancer. Otherwise, they are a common sign of bacterial and fungal infections or more serious medical conditions such as vitamin B12 or iron deficiency, Coeliac disease or Crohn’s disease.
Treat your ulcers with Bonjela if they cause you pain or discomfort, and be sure to visit your dentist if your ulcer doesn’t heal after several days.
Chipped Teeth
Your teeth can chip or break for a number of reasons. Whilst this is most likely to be caused by a harsh impact on the mouth or biting down on hard foods. Broken teeth can sometimes be caused by tooth decay, so you will need to get this looked at by a professional dentist immediately.
Dry Mouth
Dry mouth is often caused by dehydration, however, a dry mouth can be caused by other health conditions such as diabetes or Sjogren’s syndrome. Keep hydrated throughout the day and drink plenty of water to wash foods down and reduce the acids in your mouth. It’s recommended to drink a minimum of two litres of water per day and visit your dentist for a check-up if you still experience a dry mouth.
Maintain Your Oral Health
Brushing your teeth twice a day is the best way to practice good oral hygiene and should be seen as part of your daily routine. Regular brushing with a fluoride toothpaste keeps your mouth clean and removes plaque and trapped foods that have built up throughout the day.
As well as this, you should ensure regular trips to your London dentist who can treat oral problems whilst they occur in the early stages.
If you require an emergency dentist in Victoria, contact us on 020 7233 7660. Our dentists will see all emergency patients on the same day whenever possible, and you will be offered the next available appointment as soon as you call.
