It can be easy to forget how important it is to care for your oral health. Even if you routinely brush and floss, there is so much more that can be done on a regular basis to improve the condition of your entire mouth, as well as your overall health. Deisy Suarez’s Beauty & Wellness Blog outlines 10 types of oral health concerns that you can start addressing right away to significantly improve your well-being.

Structural concerns

Although often seen as primarily cosmetic, many structural concerns with your teeth can lead to significant health issues. You can reduce your risk of certain conditions when you correct the following:

1. Overbite: If you have a mild or moderate overbite, the issue is most often only cosmetic. However, having a severe overbite can cause pain in your jaw, speaking issues, and discomfort when eating. For severe cases, it is important to review your options with an orthodontist to see if corrective surgery is the right path.

 

2. Crooked teeth: It is much easier for bacteria to build when you have crooked teeth, which can lead to significant dental health issues.

 

3. Chipped tooth: Individuals who have chipped teeth should get them repaired right away to avoid further issues and damage.

Pain

 Pain in the mouth or teeth should never be ignored. More often than not, pain is a signal that there is a deeper underlying condition that needs to be addressed sooner rather than later. Some of the top issues include:

4. Tooth pain: If you’ve been experiencing pain in any of your teeth, you could have an underlying infection.

 

5. Tooth sensitivity: Hot and cold sensitivity could be the signal of gum disease, a fractured tooth, or another serious condition.

 

6. Wisdom tooth discomfort: If you have a wisdom tooth that is causing you grief, it could be impacted (i.e., turned sideways). This can result in an infection if the tooth is not removed promptly.

 

Additional issues

 Aside from structural and pain issues, there are several other oral health conditions that should never be ignored. To stay as healthy as possible, speak with your dentist if you exhibit symptoms of any of the following conditions:

7. Bad breath: Chronic bad breath can be caused by something serious, such as an infection of the mouth or a nose/throat condition.

 

8. Oral cancer: If you exhibit any new and unusual symptoms in your mouth — including the feeling of a mass — visit a dentist right away.

 

9. Bleeding gums: One of the hallmark symptoms of gum disease is bleeding gums. Those who experience bleeds regularly should consult with a dentist.

 

10. Cavities: Cavities are holes in your teeth, which often require the application of sealant to prevent further damage.