Healthy teeth and gums are very important for overall health and well-being, which is why it is recommended that you visit your dentist Ryde at least once every six months or more often if you are suffering from dental health complications. Everyone needs to maintain excellent dental hygiene at home; this includes brushing at least twice a day, flossing at least once, rinsing after meals and maintaining a healthy diet and lifestyle.

Plaque and tartar

Many factors can affect dental health. Poor dental hygiene is the main cause of dental health complications. You would be surprised how many people in Australia do not brush their teeth properly. Even if they do, they only brush their teeth once a day, resulting in plaque and tartar building up on the surface of the teeth. When plaque builds up on the surface of your teeth, bacteria in the plaque can release acids that weaken and break down the enamel, causing tooth decay. Bacteria in the plaque can weaken the gums so that it moves away from the teeth, allowing the bacteria to creep underneath the gum line and cause gingivitis and periodontal disease. Gingivitis is the early stage of gum disease and causes symptoms such as red, swollen and bleeding gums. Periodontal disease is the inflammation and infection of your gums and the bone that supports your teeth; it can result in wobbly and, eventually, missing teeth.

You must visit your dentist regularly and have your teeth cleaned professionally to remove plaque and tartar from the surface of your teeth. When plaque is left on teeth for a long period, it can harden to become tartar. Bacteria in the tartar cause bad breath and yellow teeth. Tartar gives the plaque a greater surface area to grow and a much stickier surface to adhere to in comparison to a clean tooth; this can worsen the symptoms of cavities and gum disease and cause more complications.

Root canal treatment

If you visit your dentist regularly, any signs of cavities, tooth decay, gum disease or periodontal disease can be detected very early on. If detected early, early signs of cavities and gum disease can be reversed, and your dentist can restore the health of your teeth and gums. Demineralisation in the development of cavities is reversible; this can be achieved with fluoride treatment, often applied to teeth in the form of a gel or varnish. Your dentist will advise better dental hygiene, and this should prevent the cavities from developing any further. If the cavity is significantly larger, your dentist will have to fill your tooth to protect it from further damage. If the cavity has developed for some time, then it can affect the internal structures of your tooth. You will notice pain, discomfort, sensitivity and bad breath. In this case, you will need to undergo a root canal treatment; this will include removing any of the infected pulp from your tooth, filling the tooth and restoring it with a crown if necessary. After this, you must continue to maintain excellent dental hygiene to prevent the development of further cavities or tooth decay. If you avoid your dentist, your symptoms, especially toothache, may become unbearable. Eventually, it will be too late, and your dentist will not be able to save your tooth. Instead, you will have to go through a tooth extraction.

Tooth replacement

If you could not undergo root canal treatment to save your tooth and it has either fallen out or been extracted, speak to your dentist about replacing the missing tooth. Tooth replacement can be performed in different ways.

The most popular method of tooth replacement in 2023 is dental implants. Dental implants can replace the root of your missing tooth, which means you can have a crown to replace the missing tooth permanently. Once the implant is in place, it should last the rest of your life. The crown may have to be replaced every 5 or 10 years; however, depending on the level of wear and tear and whether they become chipped, cracked or broken, it is recommended that you change a crown at least once every ten years. In this way, you will be able to maintain the healthy function of your mouth, eat and drink as you wish, and restore the appearance of your smile. Speak to your dentist today and learn more about looking after your teeth and replacing them if they are lost.

Disclaimer

Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.