Good oral health is a crucial element of healthy living and one that should not be overlooked. Taking steps every day, such as brushing, flossing, and healthy eating can go a long way in protecting your teeth and maintaining good dental health. It’s also important to know what the most common dental issues are and how to protect yourself from these dangers.
Here’s a look at the top four dental issues facing Canadians today.
Gum Disease :According to the Canadian Dental Association, 70 percent of all Canadians will deal with some form of gum disease at least once in their lifetime. Gum disease is caused by plaque that builds up along the gum line. If left untreated, gum disease can lead to multiple health problems, such as heart disease, as well as tooth loss.
Daily brushing and flossing can help to prevent gum disease, but unfortunately, the symptoms of this oral health issue can be hard to detect until the problem worsens. This fact makes it crucial that you schedule regular examinations with a family dentist in Waterloo, so your dentist can check for gum disease. The good news is that it can be treated and in many cases, its effects can be reversed.
Tooth Decay: Tooth decay, or a cavity, is a common dental issue, especially among children and older adults. A cavity forms when plaque and acids in your mouth burn into the enamel of your tooth.
The best way to fight tooth decay is to brush and floss every day and to avoid sugary foods, which can increase the risk of cavities. Regular dental checkups with a family dentist in Waterloo are also critical. The dentist can fill the cavity to prevent it from getting bigger and causing more oral issues.
Cosmetic Dental Issues : Another very common dental issue is cosmetic problems, such as crooked, broken, missing, chipped, or discoloured teeth. These problems cannot only cause self-esteem issues, but they can be a sign of more serious oral health issues, such as gum disease or oral cancer. Through the use of various cosmetic dental treatments, such as teeth whitening, orthodontics, and dental implants, today’s dentists can help to resolve these issues and to restore your beautiful smile.
Oral Cancer: A recent Canadian Dental Association report shows that more people die of oral cancer than melanoma or cervical cancer. It’s important to realize that this disease affects more than 4,700 people a year. Typically, oral cancer can be treated successfully, if caught early. This fact makes it critical that you maintain good oral hygiene and schedule annual dental exams.
The best way to fight against these dental issues is to brush and floss every day and to see a family dentist in Waterloo at least once a year. This way, even if you experience one of these common dental issues, your dentist can provide the proper treatment to minimize the effects. Feel free to connect with us anytime to maintain or achieve the best your oral hygiene possible.