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Your dentist usually can detect tooth decay by: Asking about tooth pain and sensitivity. Looking around inside your mouth and at your teeth. Probing your teeth with dental instruments to check for soft areas. Looking at dental X-rays, which can show where cavities and decay are.
Cavities and tooth decay are among the world's most common health problems. They're especially common in children, teenagers and older adults. But anyone who has teeth can get cavities, including babies. If cavities aren't treated, they get larger and affect deeper layers of your teeth.
Periodontitis (per-e-o-don-TIE-tis), also called gum disease, is a serious gum infection that damages the soft tissue around teeth. Without treatment, periodontitis can destroy the bone that supports your teeth. This can cause teeth to loosen or lead to tooth loss. Periodontitis is common but can usually be prevented.
If you often have a dry mouth, taking these steps to protect your oral health also may help: Stay away from foods and drinks that have a lot of sugar or those that have a lot of acid, such as carbonated drinks. They raise your risk of tooth decay. Stay away from dry, spicy, salty or hard-to-chew foods because they can cause pain when your mouth ...
Dentists will treat a tooth abscess by draining it and getting rid of the infection. They may be able to save your tooth with a root canal treatment. But in some cases the tooth may need to be pulled. Leaving a tooth abscess untreated can lead to serious, even life-threatening, complications.
Until you can see your dentist, try these self-care tips for a toothache: Rinse your mouth with warm water. Use dental floss to remove any food bits or plaque between your teeth. Consider taking a pain reliever you can buy without a prescription to dull the ache.
Try these measures to reduce or prevent periodontitis: Brush your teeth twice a day or, better yet, after every meal or snack. Use a soft toothbrush and replace it at least every three months. Consider using an electric toothbrush, which may be more effective at removing plaque and tartar. Floss every day.
Desensitizing toothpaste and mouthwash. These products may help block the pain of sensitive teeth. Most are available without a prescription. Fluoride. Your dentist may apply fluoride to the sensitive areas of your teeth. This can help strengthen tooth enamel and ease pain.
Impacted wisdom teeth that cause pain or other dental problems usually are taken out with surgery, also known as extraction. Extraction of a wisdom tooth usually is needed for: Infection or gum disease, also known as periodontal disease, involving the wisdom teeth. Tooth decay in partially erupted wisdom teeth.
It's important to take gingivitis seriously and treat it promptly. Gingivitis does not cause bone loss. But left untreated, it can lead to a much more serious gum disease, called periodontitis, and tooth loss. The most common cause of gingivitis is not keeping your teeth and gums clean and healthy.