A Newport Beach dentist is liable to have seen every conceivable problem, from teeth stained by wine and tobacco to different forms of oral cancer. These situations can be very uncomfortable and painful for the patient, and even fatal, in some extreme cases. Luckily, there are ways to combat these maladies and to reduce your chances of ever having to deal with them. Let’s look at some of these conditions, and talk about what you can do avoid them as you age.
Gum Disease
This is perhaps the most common difficulty faced by older adults, and it happens when they neglect their brushing and flossing routines. Sometimes if someone is ill, they might forget about the importance of these practices, or maybe they are dealing with some other situation in their lives where dental care slips their mind. Whatever the case, if you allow plaque to build up on your teeth, it will eventually cause a significant amount of damage, even irreparable if you let it go on long enough. Damage to the jawbone and support structures could lead to loss of some or all of your teeth. The solution is keeping up with your oral hygiene routine. Even if there are distractions in your life, you must prioritize brushing and flossing every day.
Oral Cancer
Men over the age of forty have the highest risk of oral cancer, according to the Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research. Thousands of people are diagnosed with cancer of the mouth every year. As your Newport Beach dentist would be quick to tell you, the best way to avoid the disease is by reducing alcohol usage and eliminating the use of tobacco products. The link between tobacco products, whether cigarettes, cigars, or chewing tobacco, is irrefutable. Since a dentist first spots most oral cancers during a checkup, you can look at your six-month dental appointments as your first line of defense against it.
Dental Filling Problems
Another problem that can arise among adults is the breakdown of dental fillings. Fillings usually last eight or ten years, but in some situations can last as long as twenty. If you have fillings, though, pay attention to their condition. If they break, then food and bacteria can get caught underneath. A Newport Beach dentist can fix them for you if they are no longer sound.
Your dentist is glad to help you in your quest for the straightest and whitest smile. We all desire confidence in ourselves, and strong, healthy teeth are one of the keys to achieving that. Stop by your Newport Beach dentist and set up an appointment for your cleaning and evaluation today.