Dr. Hattar Dental and Orthodontics in Victorville, CA, provide patients with a variety of sources on different dental diseases and how to guard against them.
Here's some advice your dentist, Dr. Fahed Hattar, has to offer:
Types of Dental Diseases and How to Prevent Them
- Gum disease, periodontal disease, is caused by bacteria. Bacteria cling to teeth and produce acid that breaks down enamel, protective layer of teeth. Poor dental hygiene, not brushing and flossing, results in plaque buildup. Plaque hardens into a hard-to-remove material called tartar, and sticks to tooth and gum surfaces causing an inflammatory response. The first stage is gingivitis, red or swollen gums. Further deterioration results in an abscessed jaw, receding gum line and weakening of the connective tissues, and tooth loss. Preventative dentistry prescribes brushing and flossing, as stated above, but also using fluoride to prevent cavities and drinking water to wash away food debris.
- Mishappened teeth (crooked) may make it difficult to properly brush them, causing bacterial growth. Your Victorville dentist provides orthodontic treatment to help fix those issues to improve chewing, speaking and facilitate brushing and flossing. Orthodontic treatment fixes other issues like overbites, underbites and crossbites for adults and children.
- Tooth loss is caused by infection, or injury, and both have preventative measures. Bacteria infiltrates broken or cracked teeth to infect the pulp, a nerve-rich area in the tooth. In this case, you need a root canal to prevent tooth loss and further infection. If your bacteria reached the pulp because of a deep cavity, you need to take proper care of your teeth as mentioned above. If it's a result of an accident while playing a sport, make sure you wear a mouthguard to protect teeth.
Do you need to speak with a professional?
Dr. Fahed Hattar of Dr. Hattar Dental and Orthodontics in Victorville, CA, has more information on how you can prevent dental diseases. Call (760) 243-3595 to learn more today!