7 Things You Need To Know About Dental Infections

Who doesn’t want healthy teeth?

Most of us want healthy teeth but not all of us practice complete dental hygiene. Oral hygiene is found to be connected with a person’s overall health status.  Tooth decays and other infections can be dangerous to our health when untreated. 

In Canada, around 96% of the population has experienced tooth decay. Tooth decay is the impairment of the outer layer of your teeth called the enamel. On the other hand, a dental abscess is when pus is formed anywhere in the teeth or gum area. Sometimes, bacteria take over the pulp and spread it to the surrounding tissues causing a health threat.

Here are seven things that you need to know about tooth decay and dental infections:

1. Tooth decay is the second most common disease next to cold. As mentioned earlier, Almost all (96%) of the population in Canada has had a decayed tooth while growing up. A medical magazine described tooth decay as the second most common disease. Taking good care of your teeth is very important because it plays a big role in your overall health and wellness. Sugary foods are the main culprit for tooth decay formation. Add to that sticky food and poor oral hygiene. Brushing your teeth regularly prevents the build-up of a cavity that affects the enamel.

2.  Coconuts are a natural anti-bacterial food that may help minimize dental infections. Washing your mouth using coconut oil has been practiced for thousands of years. The main benefit of doing this is that it cleanses and reduces the bacteria in your mouth. There are many different types of bacteria in your mouth. Though some are friendly bacteria, many are bad ones. 

3. Around 25% of adults DO NOT brush twice a day. This increases their risk of developing tooth decay. If you keep on forgetting to brush your teeth, the risk of having tooth decay is high. As we age, we are more prone to diseases so, do not be lazy taking good care of your overall health and wellness. Brush your teeth three times a day.

4. Smoking is one of the major reasons for dental infections. Smoking leads to dental problems. It will cause bad breath, dental inflammation, an increase of tartar or plaque on the teeth, gum disease, an increased risk of developing oral cancer, and a lower success rate of dental implant procedures. That is why smoking is really a no-no if you want to maintain having healthy teeth.

5. Cavities are contagious. Children and babies are more prone to having contagious tooth decay than adults. The bacteria that causes tooth decay feeds on sugar traces in the mouth and produces acid that weakens the teeth. This bacteria can be passed on from one tooth to the other and from one person to the other.

6. You cannot grow back a cracked tooth. There are so many ways to repair teeth, but it is nothing like bones growing back together. Having a cracked tooth may cause physical and social discomfort because it may stop you from smiling, talking to people, or even having fun. The good news is, there are so many ways to avoid having cracked teeth with modern technology.  Some options to fix cracked teeth include having dental bonding, veneers, crowns, root canal, and dental implant.

Having healthy teeth

Healthy oral habits lead to healthy teeth. Here are the things you can do to avoid tooth decay and dental infections:

• Brush your teeth often especially before going to bed. This gets rid of all the day’s worth of bacteria build-up.
• When you brush, brush properly. Take your time when cleaning your teeth. Move your toothbrush in a circular motion to get rid of plaque. 
• Also clean your tongue. This is to remove bacteria and bad odour in your mouth.
• Floss often. Flossing lets you clean the hard-to-reach areas in between your teeth.
• Use mouthwash. Gargling with mouthwash is another layer of protection to prevent tooth decay and dental infection.
• Eat fibre-rich food and vegetables. Go for crunchy fruits and veggies for snacks. They are good for the teeth since they contain less sugar.
• Drink lots of water. Water is good for your body and your teeth. It washes away food that may get stuck in between your tooth enamels and other areas in your mouth.
• Minimize eating sugary food. Since sugar is the main culprit in producing tooth decay, it helps if you cut back the sugary treats. Remember to always brush your teeth if you eat sugar-loaded food.

Having a toothache because of tooth decay and dental infections can ruin your day and may sometimes keep you from doing your regular daily activities. If you need to find a doctor who offers quick dental services, book a consultation with a virtual walk in clinic Hamilton. Do not delay your check-up. Let your dental health be as important as your physical health too.