Oral Health

One of the most important things you can do to maintain healthy teeth and gums is to practice good oral hygiene by brushing and flossing every day and by scheduling periodic dental cleanings and examinations.

Keep in mind that worrisome dental situations may arise in between regular visits that require attention. Bleeding gums, for example, are never normal, unless you’re flossing for the first time in a long time or you’re using anything other than a soft-bristled toothbrush. If this is not the case, and the bleeding continues, it’s imperative that you make an appointment with a participating dentist in your area to check for the presence of gum disease, a condition that can have some serious consequences if left untreated.

Other conditions that may give you cause for concern include:

Learning the cause of certain dental condition is a key step for prevention.

• Dry mouth, which can have many causes. If the cause is determined to be unrelated to a dental problem, a participating dentist will refer you to the appropriate health care provider for further evaluation.
• Bad breath, a potentially chronic condition that may or may not be related to oral hygiene and dental health. Many patients suffer from this condition and all of our participating dentists have experience in helping patients to get to the bottom of what’s causing this embarrassing problem.
• Canker sores and cold sores, which are usually painful, but not serious. However, if they last longer than 10 days, it’s probably better to contact a participating dentist near you, just to be sure.
• Tooth discoloration, which is often the result of personal habits, such as smoking, or is caused by certain foods and/or beverages that you frequently enjoy, such as coffee.
• TMJ, an extremely painful condition of the jaw, which can
  make it difficult for you to eat, talk or even yawn.

Instead of wondering what could possibly be wrong with you, set your mind at ease and call a participating dentist in your area to schedule an examination. You’ll certainly sleep easier knowing what the problem is, rather than just worrying about it!