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Common Problems, Tooth Decay, Sensitive Teeth, and more

Tooth Decay
Caries, also known as tooth decay, is a preventable disease. Left untreated, caries can become a very destructive, painful and expensive disease to treat. When caries is caught early during routine dental examinations, the treatment to repair the damage is both easy, non painful, and inexpensive.

Tooth decay is formed when the starches and sugars we consume in our diets meet with the bacteria that live and grow in our mouths. These bacteria are called plaque. The plaque absorbs the sugar we eat and immediately produce an acid byproduct. Continued attacks of acid, over time, will damage the mineral structure of your teeth, creating soft areas called decay. If the decay is allowed to grow over a period of time, it will eventually enter into the nerve chamber of the tooth, often causing severe tooth pain. In many cases the tooth can still be saved by removing the decay and the infected nerve through a root canal procedure.
 

Sensitive Teeth
Not all sensitive teeth are caused by dental caries. Other sources that can create temperature or sweet sensitivity include;
  •      sinus pressure due to colds or allergies.
  •      excessive clenching or grinding of teeth which normally is done while you're asleep and often unaware of it.
  •      excessive tooth brushing using a medium or hard bristle brush. 
  •      generalized gum recession from gum disease which exposes the root surface of a tooth to the oral environment. 
 The source of the sensitivity will determine the most appropriate treatment to alleviate this problem.


Gum Disease
Seventy percent of people in the United States have gum disease. Gum disease is painless. Unless you know the signs and symptoms of gum disease you aren’t even aware you have it. The initial stage of gum disease is called Gingivitis which is characterized by swollen red gums which often bleed when the teeth and gums are brushed and flossed. As the disease progresses it is called periodontitis. Periodontitis is characterized by the loss of bone support around the roots of your teeth. As the bone loss increases, the teeth become loose and are eventually lost.
 
Gum disease is highly preventable with routine dental care and daily brushing and flossing. 
 

Bad Breath (Halitosis) 
Causes of halitosis include sinus drainage, lung issues, and stomach problems. However, the most common reason is poor oral hygiene. Daily brushing and flossing of your teeth and tongue helps to prevent the buildup of food particles and plaque in your mouth. If brushing and flossing is not done on a consistent basis, food particles left in the mouth deteriorate and plaque develops causing bad breath. While certain foods, such as garlic may create temporary bad breath, consistent bad breath may be a sign of gum disease or some other possibly systemic problem. For more information click here.


Canker Sores
Canker sores (aphthous ulcers) are small painful sores inside the mouth that often reoccur. Generally lasting one or two weeks, the symptoms 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. Dr. Austin often recommends zylactin for pain relief from these lesions. You can find this over the counter medication at any drug store. 


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 as well. For additional information click here.