In the past… we often believed that as we age, our natural teeth in the mouth would gradually fall out over time. However, it is now found that natural teeth can remain in the mouth forever, no matter how old the owner of these teeth becomes. It depends on the care and attention of the tooth owner. This may be the reason why we all should visit the dentist regularly every 6 months!
“Tooth Decay” If Detected Late… It May Spread to the Root
In the early stage, there are no symptoms at all, so patients often do not know they have tooth decay. But if left untreated until the decay reaches or penetrates the dental pulp, it will cause pain, which is commonly called “pulpitis”. It can be treated by root canal therapy, which is much more complicated than a simple filling. Therefore, good prevention is to visit the dentist to check for tooth decay and clean the teeth every 6 months. If tooth decay is found, it should be filled immediately. Do not wait for pain symptoms, because if the decay spreads to the dental pulp, root canal treatment will be inevitable.
Bad Breath, Another Major Problem… That Needs Immediate Checking!
Many people already know the answer, but many others are still accustomed to their oral condition, sometimes thinking they do not have bad breath. We can easily check the condition inside our mouth by opening wide, looking in a mirror, and using the index finger to pull the corners of the mouth to the desired position.
If you find tooth decay, inflamed gums, easy bleeding, tartar (calculus), swollen gums, or pus, these are causes of bad breath! Because decayed teeth create cavities that trap food debris and cause decay, producing a foul odor later. It may also come from the smell of foods eaten, such as durian or pungent vegetables like green onions, chives, garlic, etc.
Gingivitis or periodontal disease makes it impossible to clean the teeth thoroughly. Tartar traps food debris and serves as a base for plaque accumulation, causing unpleasant odors. If pus is present, the smell will be even stronger. For those who wear dentures, bad breath may come from inadequate cleaning of removable dentures, causing food debris to remain under the denture base.
Did You Know? Bad Breath Problems Can Be Solved
If the oral condition is not clean, it should be corrected by brushing teeth thoroughly. But the question is, how to brush teeth properly? Remember this simple rule: brush every tooth and every side, both the outer side (the side next to the cheek or lip) and the inner side (the side next to the tongue or palate), including the chewing surfaces of the teeth. Importantly, do not forget to brush the tongue because the tongue has small grooves that trap food debris.
