Prevent Your Mouth from Dental Emergencies – One in four adults, or 26% of the population in the United States, has gum or dental issues. 46% of adults aged 30 and older start showing signs of dental problems, while 9% of adults have severe dental problems. Poor dental health is among the most common but relevant issues that people face every day. Everyone is susceptible to this and may even affect their lives entirely. Here are some of the most common reasons for dental problems and a few essential tips on how to prevent your mouth from dental emergencies.
Common Reasons For Dental Problem
Here are some of the most common reasons why people develop dental problems:
Smoking
Smoking is among the most common reasons why people develop poor dental health. Cigarettes and other tobacco products affect the connection between the soft tissues and bones to your teeth. Moreover, smoking affects the gum tissue cells’ normal functions making smokers more prone to infections. There are various adverse effects of smoking, including:
Bad Breath
Bad breath is among the most common effects of smoking. A cigarette or tobacco smoker naturally develops a smoker’s breath; a stale scent created when cigarette smoke lingers in the throat and lungs. Chemical compounds present in tobacco and cigarettes also mic in the saliva, which may cause bad breath.
Teeth Discoloration
Tannins from teas and coffees aren’t the only things that cause teeth discoloration. Smoking is also among the leading causes of yellowish teeth. The nicotine and tar in cigarettes penetrate into the tooth’s enamel, leaving teeth discoloured. Tar has a brown tinge effect on teeth, while nicotine + oxygen leaves yellowing in teeth.
Salivary Gland Inflammation
The chemicals present in tobacco cause oral cavity inflammation, which can be transmitted to the salivary glands causing swelling or inflammation.
Plaque & Tartar Buildup
The chemicals present in tobacco and cigarettes affect the saliva flow, making it more accessible for bacteria to attach themselves to the teeth and gums. When oral bacterias attach to the teeth and gums, it becomes plaque which later on becomes tartar if they hardened.
Risk of Leukoplakia
Leukoplakia are white patches visible on the mouth or lips. Smoking is one of the main contributing factors for people who develop Leukoplakia. Moreover, chemicals in tobacco or cigarettes have an irritating effect on the salivary gland, which increases the person’s chances of developing oral cancer.
Gum Disease
Smoking releases chemicals in your body that weaken the immune system, causing gum diseases. When your immune system suffers, it also makes it harder for gum diseases to heal.
Risk of Oral Cancer
WebMD’s study about smoking and oral health said that more or less 90% of people diagnosed with oral cancer used tobacco or cigarettes.
Poor Hygiene
People with poor dental hygiene have higher chances of developing poor oral health and eventually may lead to dental emergencies. According to WHO, people with poor oral hygiene are more prone to dental emergencies and problems.
Sugary Snacks & Drinks
Sugar is the number one enemy of teeth. Sugars attract oral bacterias and create acids that eat through the teeth’s enamel. It’s also the leading cause of gingivitis and gum diseases.
Genetics
Genetics plays a significant role in a person’s dental health. According to a study of ADA.org, about 60% of oral problems are influenced by genetics.
Types of Dental Emergencies
These are only among the most common dental emergencies people often experience.
Toothache From Cavities
Cavities are a common problem for people. Children and adults experience them, and the effect isn’t reversible once the cavities have penetrated deeper. Cavities are permanently inflicted areas in the teeth that come in the form of tiny holes or openings. Unless a cavity is just beginning to form, healing is impossible. It would only eventually lead to toothaches and tooth decay. The only other solution is going through an emergency dental procedure such as tooth extraction or others.
Bleeding From Tooth Extraction
After getting a tooth extraction, it’s pretty common to experience bleeding. However, too much bleeding is another reason for concern. Usually, people who have healthy gums and teeth bleed in just a short period after tooth extraction. But for those with poor dental health, other issues may arise.
Chipped Or Broken Teeth
Unhealthy teeth and gums are often the primary reason why people get broken or chipped teeth, aside from biting on hard foods or objects.
Soft Tissue Damage
Your mouth is composed of a large number of tissues and blood vessels. When they’re injured or experience problems, they bleed easily and sometimes unstoppably. This incident could be a cause for a quick run to the dentist’s office. Soft tissue damage includes cuts, lacerations, bruises, and so on.
Extreme Sensitivity To Cold And Hot Temperatures
When the tooth’s outer protective layer, or the enamel, is worn down, a person may experience hypersensitivity to hot or cold temperatures or foods. A loss or lack of enamel in the teeth exposes sensitive dentin, a layer in the enamel that enables heat and cold stimuli.
Preventing Dental Emergencies
For people who have experiences with dental emergencies, going through another one could be a nightmare. Fortunately, dental emergencies can be easily avoided by following these things:
Eat Healthily
It’s essential to eat healthy foods to keep your body and mouth healthy. Eat foods rich in calcium such as low-fat or fat-free milk, yoghurt, cheese, and so on. Fibre-rich foods are also suitable for dental health. Beans, broccoli, and avocados are examples.
Observe Proper Oral Hygiene
Oral hygiene is an essential factor in having healthy gums and teeth. People who observe proper oral hygiene are less likely to undergo dental emergencies.
Have Regular Dental Check-Ups
Going to the dentist doesn’t just involve dental emergencies. The best way to negate dental emergencies is to prevent them from happening. And the proper way to do that is by having regular dental check-ups. Your dentist can monitor and check your dental health and tell you what to do to lower your risk of experiencing dental emergencies. However, if the emergency has already occurred you should find an experienced emergency dentist near you to take control of your problem as soon as possible.
Conclusion
Dental emergencies are incidents that can be avoided if you have regular dental check-ups, proper oral hygiene, and eat healthy foods. Dental health is just as important as having a solid and robust body.
