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Bad Breath (Halitosis)
Daily brushing and flossing helps to prevent the buildup of food particles, plaque and bacteria in your mouth. Food particles left in the mouth deteriorate and cause bad breath. While certain foods, such as garlic or anchovies, may create temporary bad breath, consistent bad breath may be a sign of gum disease or another dental problem.
Canker Sores
Canker sores (aphthous ulcers) are small sores inside the mouth that often recur. Generally lasting one or two weeks, the duration of canker sores can be reduced by the use of antimicrobial mouthwashes or topical agents. The canker sore has a white or gray base surrounded by a red border.
Gum Disease
Gum, or periodontal, disease can cause inflammation, tooth loss and bone damage. Gum disease begins with a sticky film of bacteria called plaque. Gums in the early stage of disease, or gingivitis, can bleed easily and become red and swollen. As the disease progresses to periodontitis, teeth may fall out or need to be removed by a dentist. Gum disease is highly preventable and can usually be avoided by daily brushing and flossing. One indicator of gum disease is consistent bad breath or a bad taste in the mouth.
Impacted/Wisdom Teeth
Wisdom teeth, or third molars, are the final set of molars that erupt in the back corners of the mouth most commonly in the late teen years or early twenties. Unfortunately, most people experience problems from wisdom teeth. Due to impaction or the close proximity to existing permanent teeth, crowding, improper bites, and other problems can occur. Many people need to have their wisdom teeth extracted to avoid future serious problems. In general, the lack of the four wisdom teeth does not hamper one's ability to properly bite down, speak or eat.
Jaw Disorders
TMD, or Temporomandibular Disorders, are a large group of disorders involving the TMJ (Temporomandibular Joint) and the muscles involved in chewing. Any of these disorders can be brought about by trauma to the jaw or face. It is also believed that a bad bite and excessive clenching and teeth grinding (Bruxism), thought to be caused by stress, contribute to bringing about a TMD. Symptoms include:
- Recurrent pain in the face, jaw or neck
- Stiffness in the jaw muscle
- Locking or limited opening of the jaw
- Excessive and painful clicking and popping
- Slight clicking and popping is normal
- Change in your bite
- Frequent headaches
Oral Cancer
Oral cancer is any cancerous tissue growth located in the mouth. It may arise as a primary lesion originating in any of the oral tissues or by extension from a neighboring anatomic structure, such as the nasal cavity. The most common form of oral cancer is squamous cell carcinoma, originating in the tissues that line the mouth and lips. Oral cancer most commonly involves the tissue of the lips or the tongue. It may also occur on the floor of the mouth, cheek lining, gums or palate (roof of the mouth). Smoking and other tobacco use are associated with about 75 percent of oral cancer cases. In addition to the 19 known carcinogens associated with tobacco, smoke and heat generated from cigarettes, cigars, and pipes irritate the mucous membranes of the mouth. The use of chewing tobacco or snuff also causes irritation with the mucous membranes through direct contact. In order to help detect oral cancer at an early stage, Dr. Williams routinely does an oral cancer screening during each hygiene evaluation.
Orthodontic Problems
A bite that does not meet properly (a malocclusion) can be inherited, or some types may be acquired. Some causes of malocclusion include missing or extra teeth, crowded teeth or misaligned jaws. Accidents or developmental issues, such as finger or thumb sucking over an extended period of time, may cause malocclusions.
Plaque
Plaque is a colorless, sticky film that covers your teeth and creates an environment in which bacteria erode tooth enamel, cause gum irritation, infection in inner structures such as pulp and the roots, and in extreme cases, tooth loss. Foods rich in sugar and carbohydrates, including soda beverages, some juices, candy and many kinds of pasta, breads and cereals are the leading causes of plaque. Brushing 2-3 times a day and flossing at least once a day greatly reduces the amount of plaque in your mouth preventing the above problems.
Sensitive Teeth
Your teeth expand and contract in reaction to changes in temperature. Hot and cold food and beverages can cause pain or irritation to people with sensitive teeth. Over time, tooth enamel can be worn down, gums may recede or teeth may develop microscopic cracks, exposing the interior of the tooth and irritating nerve endings. Just breathing cold air can be painful for those with extremely sensitive teeth.
Tooth Abscess
An abscessed tooth is a tooth that has become infected. Tooth decay is often responsible for an abscess. When tooth decay advances deep into the tooth, it can cause destruction of the pulp. Pulp destruction results in swelling and pus builds up near the jawbone. If not treated, infected pulp can cause more serious problems, including damage to surrounding tissue and bone. Root canal treatment is the most common form of treatment for an abscessed tooth. In this treatment infected tissue is removed, the canal of the tooth is cleansed and sealed and a crown is restoring the tooth with a crown, or cap.
Tooth Decay
Caries, or tooth decay, is a preventable disease. While caries might not endanger your life, they may negatively impact your quality of life. When your teeth and gums are consistently exposed to large amounts of starches and sugars, acids may form that begin to eat away at tooth enamel. Carbohydrate-rich foods such as candy, cookies, soft drinks and even fruit juices leave deposits on your teeth. Those deposits bond with the bacteria that normally survive in your mouth and form plaque. The combination of deposits and plaque forms acids that can damage the mineral structure of teeth, with tooth decay resulting.
