Your dental health has a significant impact on your overall health. It’s so important to properly care for your teeth so you can keep the rest of your body healthy. Unfortunately, There are common oral health issues and diseases that affect millions each year. These are some of the most common and what to do if you experience them.

Cavities

Cavities are a result of permanent damage to the tooth. It typically occurs when bacteria, food, or acid form on your teeth known as plaque. Over time the plaque can turn into tartar which is a bit more difficult to remove. If tartar is neglected, cavities will form. If cavities are not corrected or properly cared for, it can lead to further damage.

Broken Teeth

A broken tooth can be the result of a variety of things. If your teeth are worn down, suffered an injury, or grind your teeth you might have broken teeth. This can be very painful so it’s essential to have this taken care of as soon as possible. Your dentist will work with you on treatment options to meet your needs.

Gingivitis

Gingivitis is more commonly known as gum disease. Gum disease occurs when there is inflammation in your gums. As stated before, when cavities are not cared for they can turn into more serious dental issues. Gum disease is the result of ignored cavities and lack of brushing. Gingivitis can make your gums extremely tender, frequently bleed, and lead to further infections like periodontitis.

Periodontitis

Periodontitis is the more serious stage of gum disease. When gum disease progresses along without any intervention from a dentist, it quickly turns into periodontitis. This is not good and needs to be dealt with as soon as possible. If not, further infections can spread to the rest of your body, therefore, jeopardizing your overall health.

Oral Cancer

Nearly 50,000 Americans are diagnosed with oral cancer during the year. In addition, dentists are typically the first to recognize the symptoms of oral cancer. Common types of oral cancers include the gums, tongue, lips, cheek, floor of the mouth, and hard and soft palates. One of the largest risk factors of developing oral cancer stems from the use of tobacco products. By not using these products, it can help lower the chances of oral cancer.

To learn more about common dental diseases, check out Wytheville Dental Group. At Wytheville Dental we have experience diagnosing and treating common dental diseases like the ones above. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors, visit us online or call us at (276) 228-2777 today!