What Your Teeth Say About Your Health

The majority of dental problems can only be accurately diagnosed through dental scans and X-rays. However, if you’re checking a recent photo of yourself, or dare we say selfie and you’re seeing teeth that are looking a bit off. Well, you should make an appointment at the dentist and have them checked out.

Obtaining a high-quality dental check-up can now be significantly more convenient than it used to be. The most favorable approach is to seek out a nearby dental clinic. For example, residents of Santa Rosa can search online and easily locate the best Santa Rosa dentist and identify the most suitable dental package to meet their individual requirements.

According to recent statistics from the World Health Organization, oral diseases are the most common non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and they affect people throughout their lifetime, causing pain, discomfort, disfigurement and even death. 

Take  a look at your selfie, or just yourself in the mirror. Now here’s what you need to look out for.

1. Dark shadows between teeth

All right, so you brush your pearly whites at least twice a day and avoid foods that can stain the enamel. Most of your teeth are shiny and white. But when it comes to flossing, you’re not quite as disciplined. As a result, you develop those annoying shadows lurking between your pearly whites. These are often the precursors to larger cavities, which we want to avoid at all costs.

If you’re seeing dark areas in your enamel, don’t hesitate to get them checked out. If you don’t, they will keep growing and the decay will spread. Eventually, the nerves might even get damaged, and when that happens, your dentist will recommend a root canal, which you definitely don’t want.

In short, the earlier you get it looked at, the better.

2. Grey teeth

While some people naturally have teeth with a greyish hue, you might find that one of your teeth suddenly started turning grey. There could be a variety of causes, including hereditary conditions, specific types of medication, dental restorations, tooth trauma, and the result of aging. However, any changes to your teeth need to be checked out, because it might signal decay, which can cause the blood flow to the tooth to be cut off and result in the death of the nerves.

If you have this problem you need to go to a dentist and get a restorative care. Fillings, crowns, bridges, and implants are common restorative options. The goal is to bring back your natural smile and prevent future oral health issues.

3. Gum Issues

If you’re looking at your selfie and seeing gums with the following signs, best have them look at:

• they appear bright red
• they look swollen or puffy in certain places.
• there are signs of bleeding or unevenness.

You might be staring at gum disease or inflammation. Healthy gums usually have a pinkish or pinkish-brown color. The same goes for gums that are starting to recede, which can lead to the exposure of the roots of your teeth, and result in decay in the root.

4. Stains on your teeth

This is something you’ll pick up quickly on a selfie. Because discoloration on your teeth doesn’t exactly make for a nice picture. And while you might be considering getting them bleached or having the stains removed, your dentist might also want to have a look. This is because certain stains can be a warning sign. White spots, particularly those at the gum line, might indicate that the outer layer of the tooth has been compromised.

If this is the case, you need to have it treated in time. If you don’t, in the future you’ll experience more serious issues.

5. Lines or cracks in your teeth

Okay, you’ll probably only pick this up if you’ve zoomed in a few times on a selfie and then checked it out further in the mirror – but the chances are you’ve seen a vertical line running down one of your teeth at one point or another. If you have, don’t freak out just yet. Usually, these lines aren’t serious, and probably a result of you using too much force when you bite.

Contact sports, grinding your teeth, biting on non-food items, and using your teeth to open stuff can also result in these miniature lines. They’re often referred to as craze lines, and they’re normally small and not very noticeable. If you’re self-conscious about them, it’s best to consult a cosmetic dentist to discuss possible treatments. It’s important to note that craze lines can sometimes become worse over time, and might eventually result in cracked teeth altogether.

Bottom Line

Don’t be selfie shy when it comes to checking on your teeth. Importantly, never miss out on dental check-ups. Professional dental care can help ensure healthy smiles for you and your family.

Want to know more?

Here’s how you can use Ayurvedic dental practices for better oral health.

References:

Source. World Health Organization:  https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/oral-health

Source. Medical News Today:  https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/241721.php

Source. Healthline:  https://www.healthline.com/health/dental-and-oral-health/grey-teeth#causes