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Common dental issues and how to solve them

Dental issues can be both embarrassing and uncomfortable. Your mouth conveys a lot about you — from your first impression smile to how you speak in business meetings. Ensure that your mouth is making the best possible impression by eliminating any potential problems. Identify common dental issues that you might be facing and figure out simple ways to solve them.

Bad breath

Bad breath happens to everyone. It’s usually a result of a bacteria building up in your mouth, but other factors might cause chronic bad breath, too. Diseases like diabetes can case bad breath. Cracked fillings can harbor bad bacteria that worsen your breath. Or you could have just finished an onion-heavy or garlicky lunch. To solve this particular problem, it’s important to isolate its cause. However, for most of the common causes, brushing can usually solve bad breath. If you’re on the go, pop a sugar-free mint or piece of gum.

Stained teeth

Over time, teeth lose their natural sparkle. Teeth can turn shades of yellow or grey from factors like age, heredity, health, smoking and food. The good news is that this is an easy dental issue to solve. Avoid foods and beverages like soy sauce and coffee that cause stains, and brush after every meal. For existing stains, visit your dentist to figure out what whitening program is best for your teeth.

Cavities

When plaque builds up on your teeth, it starts to wear away, causing tooth decay. That decay results in cavities. Cavities can be prevented with daily brushing and flossing, as well as routine visits to the dentist. Plus, avoid foods loaded with sugars and carbs, which cause plaque build-ups.

Dry mouth

Saliva has a big job. Not only does it keep your mouth moist, but it also digests food and keeps your mouth clean by rinsing away bacteria. Without proper saliva production, we get dry mouth, which can be caused by certain diseases or medications, smoking or dehydration. Dry mouth is a serious issue because it can cause tooth decay, gingivitis and infection. If you feel like your mouth is getting dry, make sure you’re staying hydrated. Consider chewing sugar-free gum. Schedule a visit to your dentist to eliminate any serious culprits.

Gingivitis

Gingivitis is a common form of gum disease indicated by swollen or bleeding gums. It’s caused when plaque forms along your gum line. After a couple days on your teeth, plaque hardens into tartar. All that tartar builds up and causes gum disease. The good news is that gingivitis is super simple to prevent: Brush and floss daily.

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