4 Ways To Spot Dental Problems Before They Become Serious

By building good daily habits to protect your teeth, you can reduce a great deal of pain and expense. Carefully monitor your teeth to make sure that they’re clean before you go to bed. Flossing before bed is especially critical.

Hygiene

In addition to preventative dental care habits such as flossing and brushing, you want to monitor the sensitivity of your teeth. If your teeth are especially sensitive to cold, it could be that your enamel is thinning or that your gums are receding and exposing the nerves of your teeth. If you can’t brush your teeth with cool water or tolerate hot coffee or cold ice cream, talk to your dentist about the sensitivity.

Diet

Carefully monitor your diet to make sure that you’re protecting your tooth enamel. Avoid sticky, sugary candies. Try not to drink sugary sodas, and be aware that diet sodas can impact your teeth and gums. If you notice that your gums are tender or if your gums bleed when you brush your teeth, your dentist needs to know. Pockets around your teeth are a haven for bacteria that will destroy the enamel over time. Healthy gums don’t develop deep pockets. If you notice any pain when chewing or after eating something sweet, see your dentist as soon as you can.

Habits

Your body is always working to heal itself, but once gum tissue has receded, it doesn’t regenerate. Poor hygiene can contribute to the eventual loss of your teeth, as can smoking and excessive alcohol consumption. If you’re on medications for blood pressure, you may find that your mouth is dryer. Sticking with steady habits of sipping cool water throughout the day can lessen the risk of receding gums from dry mouth.

Lifestyle

Try to incorporate plenty of vitamin A and C into your diet to promote healthy gums. Getting plenty of water will keep your mouth hydrated. If you drink acidic juices or sodas, make sure you brush afterwards. When brushing your teeth, make sure to focus along the gum line to clear away bacteria at the base of your teeth. Most important of all, make and keep appointments for cleanings, hygiene checkups and oral cancer exams.

Our teeth can take a lot of abuse if we’re not careful about maintenance, but many of us don’t realize how much damage we’re doing until we’re in pain. Keep an eye on your gums for redness, swelling or bleeding when brushing. Check your teeth for sensitivity to heat and cold. Stay hydrated with water.

Looking for a 100% all-natural liquid tooth oil and mouth rinse? Check out OraMD Original Strength and OraMD Extra Strength. Subscribe to our Trusted Health Club newsletter for more information about natural living tips, natural health, oral health and skincare. If you are looking for more health resources check out the Trusted Health Resources list. 

Written By:

Emma Sturgis is a freelance writer based out of Boston, Mass. She writes most often on health and education. When not writing, she enjoys reading and watching film noir. Say hi on Twitter @EmmaSturgis2

Reviewed By:

Founder Ray Spotts has a passion for all things natural and has made a life study of nature as it relates to health and well-being. Ray became a forerunner bringing products to market that are extraordinarily effective and free from potentially harmful chemicals and additives. For this reason Ray formed Trusted Health Products, a company you can trust for clean, effective, and healthy products. Ray is an organic gardener, likes fishing, hiking, and teaching and mentoring people to start new businesses. You can get his book for free, “How To Succeed In Business Based On God’s Word,” at www.rayspotts.com.