Is it time for that dentist visit for a check up and teeth clean that you have been putting off? The World Health Organization estimates that over 2.3 billion people worldwide have cavities, but very few attend to it or even know about the condition they have! What’s worse, science has proven that certain oral conditions can harm overall health. There are some dental conditions that must be treated as urgent and need immediate care before they get out of hand. Let’s chat further about this important topic and 3 conditions that should be treated straight away.

1. Cavities

Cavities are tiny holes or openings in your teeth. They are caused by bacteria in your mouth working through the tooth enamel (the tooth’s hard surface), leaving gaps. Cavities do not go away on their own. Moreover, when you fail to take urgent steps by seeking help from your dentist, the holes can grow bigger. Usually, big cavities can cause a great deal of pain and tooth sensitivity. And that’s when most people are likely to seek emergency dental services for treatment. The truth about cavities is that you never know you have them until you begin to feel pain or sensitivity at the site. That’s why you need regular dental checks to nip any in the bud. More importantly, untreated cavities can cause harm to the tooth nerve located within the bone of your jaw. When that happens, there is an increased chance of an infection which leads to pus accumulation. Pus in your jaw can be dangerous because the harmful bacteria can travel up to your brain and cause even worse damage. In severe cases, it’s known to have caused fatalities.

2. Periodontitis

This is a gum disease where the soft tissues of the gums are damaged, exposing the roots of the teeth. When left unattended, Periodontitis can affect the bone supporting the teeth and lead to permanent tooth loss. Consequently, you will probably need to fix false teeth for cosmetic reasons. That aside, did you know that untreated Periodontitis increases your chances of developing Rheumatoid Arthritis? This is because the bacteria causing the inflammation travels to your body and targets the bones in your joints. In the early years when this was initially discovered, many people thought of it as a hoax because Rheumatoid Arthritis is an autoimmune disease. Over the years, however, more proof compelled them to accept the link between Periodontitis and Rheumatoid Arthritis. Another likely medical condition untreated Periodontitis can lead to is diabetes. Medical research revealed that people with gum disease tend to have high glucose levels in their saliva. Because of this, the pancreas is forced to produce more insulin than the body can handle, putting the Periodontitis patient at risk.

3. Overcrowded teeth

Persons with overcrowded teeth usually have problems when they lie down to sleep. The problem arises from the inability of the mouth and throat to support oxygen flow during the breathing process. It explains why 53% of people with overcrowded teeth suffer from sleep apnea. It is a dangerous sleep disorder where the sufferer stops repeatedly breathing during sleep. When that happens, they experience a jolt in their heart rate as the body works harder to draw in more oxygen. There is also the likelihood of tooth decay among persons with severely overcrowded and overlapping teeth. This gives rise to cardiovascular risks as the decay-causing bacteria can travel into the bloodstream and deposit plaque into arteries and other blood vessels, impeding proper circulation. Therefore, whenever you experience any of these dental dangers, please do not take them lightly. See your dentist before things get out of hand.

Have you been putting off your dentist check up? Don’t wait any longer GF and book your appointment RN!

TDP x