Oral hygiene is essential not just to maintain overall health but also to enjoy the little things in life like sipping on a soda, eating an ice cream and biting into a burrito. Unfortunately, many Americans suffer from gum disease and sensitivity of teeth and are in constant distress. As an overview, gum disease (gingivitis) and sensitive teeth are disorders that cause acute pain and discomfort.
Gum disease or gingivitis is when one’s gums become inflamed and often bleed while brushing teeth. Many people suffering from gingivitis also complain of their gums receding from the teeth. Gingivitis is one of the earliest stages of gum disease and is caused by excessive plaque on the teeth. Plaque is a soft, sticky, and sometimes smelly bacterium that grows on the teeth and gums. The food that gets stuck in your teeth and on your gum acts as fodder for the plaque. Plaque must be removed from the teeth by brushing one’s teeth every day. However, if brushing one’s teeth is not part of one’s daily routine, they may be at risk of developing gingivitis. Plaque, when left on the teeth and gums for too long, creates toxins that irritate gums and cause gingivitis. Gingivitis, being the initial stage of gum disease, means that the bone and connecting tissue of the mouth has not been affected yet. However, if unchecked, it can develop into periodontitis, which can cause permanent damage to the teeth and the jaw.
Another oral disorder that affects many Americans is teeth sensitivity. When you experience a sharp pain in your teeth upon eating or drinking anything cold or hot you may suffer from teeth sensitivity. This happens when the enamel coating the teeth wears thin and exposes the dentin underneath. Dentin is a hard, bony tissue that forms a bulk of the tooth. When the enamel coating on your teeth gets eroded, it reduces the protection. The sharp pain you experience upon eating any foods that are hot or cold is because of their coming in contact with the dentin. Enamel can wear off if you use a very hard toothbrush, consume highly acidic foods, due to tooth decay, grinding your teeth, or gum recession. Treating teeth sensitivity may be as simple as fixing a cavity, but in some cases, patients are advised to use desensitizing products like special toothpastes that reduce sensitivity. Some doctors even prescribe strengthening the enamel layer by applying fluoride gel to the surface of the teeth.
Gum and teeth-related problems are sadly often overlooked. Many of us consider them to be a mere inconvenience in our daily lives. But lack of vigilance and constant neglect can cost us dearly. Not paying enough attention to oral hygiene can cause serious and permanent damage to the teeth, gums, and the rest of the mouth. It is, therefore, best to get into the habit of brushing and flossing daily. If you still experience discomfort related to gums and teeth, see your dentist right away, and correct the problem before it gets worse. You should also understand the overview of gum disease (gingivitis) and sensitive teeth so that you can work on its treatments and prevent further damages.
