Taking care of your mouth and teeth helps to prevent some common dental problems like cavities, gum disease, discoloration, bad breath, and toothaches. But even with the best oral hygiene, regular checkups from reputable dental health services providers are mandatory.
Do you experience toothaches or tooth sensitivity, bad breath, or tooth discoloration? While mild, these common problems are uncomfortable and embarrassing, and they can negatively impact your esteem and social interactions. Call us today at 713-244-7797 to learn how our dental health services at Splendid Dental Bellaire can help you keep them at bay in the future.
Tooth Sensitivity
Tooth sensitivity affects as many as one in eight adults in the US. Your teeth are sensitive if you experience pain when you take very hot, cold, or sweet food and beverages. Sensitive teeth can be caused by over-brushing (brushing too hard thins the enamel), bruxism (tooth grinding), and diet – overly acidic food can wear down your enamel.
If you have sensitive teeth, start by changing your toothbrush and toothpaste. Choose a high-quality soft-bristled brush and toothpaste for sensitive teeth. When you take wine or eat acidic foods, always rinse with water and give at least thirty minutes to harden the enamel before brushing. Use straws for drinking acidic beverages.
If discomfort persists, make an appointment to see a Splendid Dental Bellaire dentist, who will diagnose and treat the sensitivity. They may recommend high-fluoride prescription toothpaste or apply fluoride varnish to strengthen your teeth.
Halitosis/Bad Breath
Anyone can experience bad breath sometimes, especially after certain meals if you didn’t have a chance to brush your teeth. However, persistent bad breath, regardless of oral hygiene habits, is considered halitosis and is caused by:
- Diet – spicy food rich in garlic or onions
- Smoking – smokers are more likely to have poor oral hygiene and gum disease
- Poor oral hygiene – food particles and plaque buildup in the mouth
- Dry mouth – saliva helps to clean your mouth and limit odors
- Infections – oral, nasal, and throat infections increase bacterial activity and worsen breath
If you have bad breath, we recommend brushing and flossing thoroughly more often, twice or thrice daily. Add a tongue scraper to remove germs on the back of the mouth. Drink water to cleanse your mouth throughout the day.
Make an appointment for professional dental health services like cleaning and plaque removal at least four times a year. During these visits, your dentist will also examine the mouth to identify other causes of halitosis and prescribe remedies or procedures to correct any health issues.
Tooth Discoloration
Teeth may discolor for many reasons, such as:
- Diet – certain foods and drinks stain teeth temporarily or permanently
- Tobacco – chewing or smoking
- Poor dental hygiene – causes the buildup of plaque
- Disease – some diseases and infections discolor teeth
- Medication and therapies – radiation and chemotherapy, mouthwashes and antibiotics like tetracycline
- Age – teeth become less white with age because enamel thins out
- Trauma – acute force on the teeth or injury
Before any whitening procedure, make an appointment with a Splendid Dental Bellaire dentist to establish the cause of discoloration. The dentist will highlight your options depending on the root cause; luckily, many stains are not permanent.
Professional teeth whitening speeds up the whitening process, and it is safer than at-home whitening. Your tooth treatments should always be handled by a skilled professional. If you have permanent stains, the dentist may recommend dental health services such as in-office whitening procedures, dental bonding, dental crowns, and dental veneers.
Find Quality Dental Health Services at Splendid Dental Bellaire
If you have any of these common dental problems, you need to visit a reputable dentist who can recommend permanent solutions. A regular visit to the dentist will keep these issues at bay, allowing you to enjoy a full life. To learn more about our dental health services, contact Splendid Dental Bellaire at 713-244-7797 and schedule an appointment with our team of dentists.