Oral hygiene should not be underestimated, and that’s a fact. Your mouth works alongside the rest of your body to keep you healthy and is an entry point for disease and infection. That’s why it’s crucial to check up on your oral health like you would any other part of your body. Booking in to see your dentist twice a year is recommended to check and monitor any existing conditions like gum disease. But, there are also warning signs you can look out for at home to ensure your mouth is in top condition.

1. Gum disease (periodontitis)

Gum disease, as the name suggests, affects the gums and tissue, leaving them feeling red, swollen and sore. This condition occurs when plaque gets under the gum line and isn’t removed by flossing or a toothbrush. 

There are several stages of gum disease, beginning with inflammation, known as gingivitis. Bleeding gums when brushing is the first sign of this. Gum disease can deteriorate fast, which is why it’s important to catch it early. Gingivitis develops into periodontitis, and then gums recede from your teeth, leaving pockets between the gums and the teeth. These pockets are where dangerous bacteria can harbour. 

Moderate and advanced periodontitis is more serious. Teeth will lose their bone support and the infection may cause a response throughout your entire body. Without treatment, teeth will begin to fall out, which is why it’s essential to get treated early.

Gum disease can be reversible if it isn’t in the later stages, simply by implementing a good dental hygiene routine. Brushing and flossing every day will naturally prevent gum disease.

2. Cavities (tooth decay)

Cavities are a fancy way of saying holes in your teeth, they’re not a good sign. As a result of not brushing or flossing your teeth, plaque builds up on your teeth. This plaque then destroys your enamel. Plaque can also build up along your gum line and on any fillings, which again could turn into the more serious problem of tooth decay. It can be easily prevented by using fluoride toothpaste and mouthwash. Fluoride helps to rebuild any damaged tooth enamel, slow down the loss of minerals from enamel and reverse tooth decay if it’s in the early stages.

3. Sensitive and broken teeth

Losing teeth as an adult isn’t normal and should be checked by a professional dentist immediately. However, if your teeth are broken or dislodged, this could hint at a more serious health problem like gum disease or an injury. 

If you’ve got a tooth that is actually broken, dentists may be able to put a crown on the tooth to fix it. The problem may be more severe if the tooth then becomes sensitive. It’s advised to see your dentist as soon as possible, but before your appointment, chew on the other side of your mouth to avoid the tooth from becoming even more damaged.

4. Oral cancer

We don’t mean to scare you by using the C-word, but its symptoms are definitely something to be aware of. The symptoms of oral cancer include swellings or lumps inside the mouth or on the gums, persistent sores or ulcers that don’t heal and bleed easily, and difficulty chewing or swallowing. Mouth cancer is a more serious health problem, and cannot be treated at home so it’s important to get any symptoms or changes checked by a dentist as soon as you notice them. 

5. Pain in the mouth and toothache

Toothache is one of the most uncomfortable kinds of pain, and unfortunately, most of us will experience it in our lifetime. Toothache makes it near impossible to eat or chew food, and you may even find yourself changing your diet so you’re not eating hard or chewy foods. If you do find yourself in severe pain with toothache, it’s best to get it checked by your dentist. In the meantime, rinsing your mouth with warm water and taking over the counter medication will help ease some of the pain.

How to treat oral health problems

Preventing oral health problems can begin at home, and from an early age. It begins with brushing your teeth twice a day, for two minutes a day. It’s important that one of the times you brush your teeth is in the evening just before you go to bed. Don’t rinse after brushing so the fluoride can stay on your teeth for longer. 

Flossing will also help prevent oral problems as just brushing only actually removes 60% of the dirt on your teeth and in your mouth. To floss, get an 18-inch strip of floss and wrap it around two fingers. Take the floss in between each tooth in an up and down motion. Forgetting to floss is a mistake made by many, so don’t make it!

Also, a fluoride and alcohol-free mouthwash will help keep your mouth in check by protecting enamel and getting rid of any leftover food particles. Most people use mouthwash straight after brushing for the ultimate minty taste, but this method is actually wrong. By using mouthwash between the times you brush or floss your teeth, you’re actually protecting your mouth and gums for longer.  

How to keep your dental health in check

Start by booking a dentist appointment. Dentists can pick up any problems and can also monitor them too. Where you might be unsure as to what you’re suffering with, a dentist will most likely be able to pinpoint it and if it’s curable, then they can treat it too.

Other healthy lifestyle habits not previously mentioned involve limiting your sugary and starchy foods, not smoking or cutting down on cigarettes and drinking more water. 

Don’t be afraid!

This list wasn’t made to scare or worry you. It was made to make you aware of common oral problems. So long as you regularly check in with your dentist, and keep your home dental routine going, any potential problems should be addressed early, and therefore solved early too.