We have all become accustomed to seeing celebrities with brilliant pearly white teeth arranged in perfect formation. Of course, these are often the product of hours in the dentist’s chair along with a large sum of cash.
It may not be possible for the average person to get teeth like this. But, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try. Part of that is visiting a reputable dentist St Leonards regularly. It can also help to know what the most common mouth issues look like to help ensure you get treatment when needed.
The Cold Sore
Technically this is outside the mouth. A cold sore usually appears under your nose or around your chin, although it can also be on your lips. They are very contagious and easily caught. The good news is that they are basically harmless and usually heal by themselves within a week.
Cavities
This is probably the first thing you think of when considering mouth issues. Cavities occur when the hard outer coating on your tooth is worn away. Food debris and bacteria in your mouth combine to create acid which attacks the enamel and then makes a hole in your tooth. That’s a cavity. Bacteria can get into the hole and cause further complications. You need the cavity cleaned and filled as soon as possible.
This isn’t very noticeable until the decay becomes serious and you see dark spots on your teeth or they crack.
Gum Disease
The most common sign of gum disease is bleeding gums when you brush them. You will have red gums that are likely to be swollen and tender.
Gum disease is an infection that can be treated if caught early. But, if you leave it the disease will get worse, leading to receding gums and ultimately tooth loss.
You’ll likely experience bad breath but it isn’t usually painful, which means you may not realize you have it.
In its more advanced stage, it is known as periodontitis and this is when you’ll start to lose teeth. It’s normal at this stage for your teeth to start to look a deep shade of blue/black. This means they are dying and you are likely to start losing teeth.
Thrush
Thrush is a surprisingly common mouth infection. You will experience a white coating inside your mouth, especially on your tongue. You can get medicine to eliminate the thrush but you are more likely to contract it if you have an illness that affects your immune system.
Dark Teeth
Having one tooth darker is not uncommon and there is a good reason for it. You’ll find it normally happens after trauma and it’s your body’s way of protecting the nerve in a tooth.
However, if your tooth has gone a lighter colour, such as pink or gray then your nerve has died and the tooth is dead. At this point, you’ll be looking at extraction and an implant or a crown.
One thing is certain, monitor your mouth regularly. If anything changes then see your dentist straight away.