You may avoid visiting the dentist if you have a dental problem like a sensitive tooth or bleeding gums. However, what may seem like a minor dental issue can often snowball into a much bigger problem. As your dentist in Buffalo Grove, IL, we want you to take dental problems seriously, even if they seem small now. Eventually, these problems can worsen and require more costly, extensive care.
Dental Problems Treated By Your Dentist Buffalo Grove, IL
Patients may think these problems will not negatively affect their dental health. What can seem innocuous at first can require thorough care:
Tooth Pain and Sensitivity
If you experience pain when eating cold food or drinking cold drinks, you may be experiencing tooth wear. You may also have a dental injury. You can experience tooth sensitivity if your outer tooth enamel erodes or wears down. Tooth wear can expose nerves in the tooth’s interior. When external elements, including acidic or cold foods and beverages, touch the nerves, they transmit pain signals to the brain.
We can address tooth wear and injuries in our office with various methods, including dental veneers and bonding treatment. These treatments protect the enamel. Additionally, we will recommend that patients brush with toothpaste formulated with tooth sensitivity in mind.
Bleeding Gums
Do your gums bleed when you brush your teeth? That could be a sign of gingivitis. Also known as gum inflammation, gingivitis is a precursor to gum disease. Patients with gum disease face bleeding gums, gum recession, red and purple gums, gum pain, and even loose teeth.
If your gums continue to bleed when brushing and you don’t have any other symptoms, begin to floss. Floss between your teeth before you brush to remove food and bacteria from between your teeth. Contact us if you notice any other symptoms; we can provide a deep cleaning to prevent the spread of bacteria and keep your gums healthy.
Bad Breath
The majority of bad breath is transitory. You may get bad breath from eating garlic, onion, or other strong-smelling foods. However, problems like dry mouth, poor oral hygiene, and side effects from medications or health conditions can contribute to chronic bad breath.
Combined with those problems, chronic bad breath can be embarrassing and increase the risk of gum disease and tooth decay. Dry mouth, a common cause of bad breath, attracts harmful bacteria because there is no saliva to wash away bacteria on the teeth, gums, and tongue. Patients with chronic bad breath can experience gum disease. Over time, gum disease leads to gum recession and even tooth loss.
Are you noticing a change in your smile? Receive care as soon as possible. Call AH Smiles for treatment today at (847) 230-9703. You can also schedule a dental appointment with Dr. Engelberg online.