If you have dental issues, you’re not alone! Many people experience dental problems which eventually may lead to tooth loss if left untreated. Thankfully, dental problems are usually preventable! Here’s what you need to know about dental cavities and tooth loss.
What Are Cavities?
Cavities are a type of tooth decay. They often form very small fissures or holes in the hard surface of your teeth and can cause pain and permanent damage. They are extremely common in all ages, and can be either visible to the naked eye or unnoticeable.
Cavities come with many symptoms, including tooth pain, sensitivity to hot or cold temperatures, pain with eating, visible discoloration or holes, and pain with biting. Cavities can form because of several reasons, including:
- Eating too much sugar, including candy, other sweets, or beverages such as soda
- Infrequent or incorrect brushing
- Not flossing your teeth
- Bacteria in the mouth
- Mouth diseases, which may or may not be hereditary
What You Need to Know About Tooth Loss
While losing your teeth as a child is normal, losing adult teeth is a concern. Tooth loss can occur because of several reasons, including untreated cavities, gum disease, or trauma. The first sign of tooth loss is often cavities, tooth pain, or having loose teeth.
If you lose a tooth for any reason, you should:
- Stop the bleeding. If any bleeding occurs when you lose your tooth, it’s important to use gauze to staunch the bleeding.
- Save the tooth. If you have the chance to preserve the tooth, place it in a glass of saline solution or milk.
- Visit a dentist. It’s important that you immediately make an appointment with your dentist. It’s best if you schedule an emergency appointment to prevent any permanent damage.
How to Prevent Dental Cavities and Tooth Loss
It’s not difficult to learn how to prevent dental cavities. Preventing dental cavities and subsequent tooth loss often relies mostly on proper brushing and flossing techniques. To make sure that you don’t get dental decay or lose your teeth, you should:
- Brush your teeth two to three times a day. Brushing after every meal will keep your teeth clean and stop plaque or bacteria buildup.
- Floss daily. One of the most important steps in how to prevent dental cavities is flossing. Flossing daily will prevent bacteria or plaque buildup on the hard-to-reach places of your teeth and can stop gum disease.
- Regularly visit the dentist. Attending regular dental appointments can help keep your teeth healthy and clean. Your dentist can also make sure that you catch any cavities early on before they become an issue.
Keep Up to Date with Your Dental Health
It’s important that you always take good care of your dental health to prevent dental cavities or tooth loss. Tooth decay is a serious issue, but with the right prevention and regular dentist appointments, you’ll have perfect teeth in no time. Book an appointment with the Dental Center of Redondo Beach today!
