What Should I do if I have Bad Teeth?

bad teeth

bad teethApex, Cary, and Raleigh, North Carolina

Your smile and oral health condition can contribute to how you feel about yourself and your overall appearance. When you have a less-than-perfect smile, it can be challenging to feel confident. The good news is that you aren’t alone, as many Americans have poor oral health. According to the CDC, over a third of people in the USA have advanced tooth decay. However, there is hope to correct your smile and create a healthy mouth. Triangle Periodontics shares on the blog today what you should do if you have bad teeth to regain a beautiful smile, boost confidence, and improve oral and overall health.

How can severe cavities form on teeth?

Harmful bacteria in your mouth produce acids that eat away at tooth enamel. It hardens into plaque when oral hygiene is not performed adequately to remove food remnants and bacteria through brushing, flossing, and regular dental visits. Plaque causes cavities because it dissolves tooth enamel and allows bacteria to enter the tooth. Untreated cavities provide a significant oral infection risk and other health complications. Our family dentists warn patients that pain and illness are only two of the many unpleasant outcomes you may experience when you have tooth decay. Eating, speaking, or even smiling might be difficult when teeth break. Extreme incidences of tooth deterioration may require extraction.

How do cavities affect my teeth?

Although cavities can be unsightly, multiple adverse oral health risks are present. Discovering and treating a cavity during its early stages improves the probability that no additional damage will occur and lowers your health risks. However, ignoring your oral health and cavities can have an undesired effect on your teeth, overall health, and self-image. Below are ways that untreated cavities could affect your smile.

  • Enamel Destruction

Enamel protects and strengthens teeth. Although the strongest substance in the human body, it’s fragile when exposed to acidic foods and drinks, sugary snacks, and rigorous tooth brushing. Enamel damage may cause significant tooth degradation and tooth sensitivity or discomfort.

  • Gum Disease

Gum disease is common and may cause tooth and gum problems. Excess harmful bacteria and plaque buildup on teeth can cause gum disease. Without treatment, gingivitis may become periodontitis, an incurable advanced gum disease. Periodontitis ruins your gums and jawbone.

  • Bruxism or Clenching and Grinding Teeth

Bruxism is common among those who suffer from broken teeth due to clenching and grinding. As the activity occurs, your teeth are at risk for breaking and cracking, where bacteria can quickly enter. Pairing the damage with unkempt teeth and gums can result in severe dental damage.

What are the signs of a severely damaged tooth?

The most obvious signs of a severely damaged tooth are chips, cracks, and discoloration. Additionally, you may experience discomfort during normal daily activities such as eating or speaking. An extreme temperature intolerance to hot and cold foods and beverages could indicate compromised or damaged tooth nerves. If you notice any signs of possible tooth damage, we encourage you to contact our office to schedule an appointment before the situation gets worse.

What can I do if I have severely damaged teeth?

Extreme tooth damage is treatable through multiple dental procedures, and the one that’s best for you will depend on how much oral damage is present. For example, minor damages may only require a filling or dental crown, while significant damage may include a root canal or tooth extraction. Triangle Periodontics offers a wide treatment variety to address most of your dental needs, including gum disease treatments and tooth restoration with implant dentistry. During your consultation, we will assess your oral health and decide the best steps to stop painful sensations and restore your smile.

Dentists in Cary and Raleigh, North Carolina

Regardless of how much tooth damage you may have or the necessary treatment to correct it, it’s always best to make an appointment with Triangle Periodontics. After we uncover the tooth damage extent, we can discuss available treatment options so that you can have a healthy smile. To find out more about fixing your bad teeth, please contact Triangle Periodontics at (919) 782-9536 or contact us online to schedule an appointment today.