While some oral health issues can demand restorative dental work, smaller issues can be dealt with through your actions at home. While these issues can be less severe than something like tooth decay, they can still be frustrating. They can also call for an appropriate response, as you may put yourself at risk for more dental trouble if you mishandle a matter. Our Upton, MA dentist’s office is ready to help you deal with problems like cavities and gum disease. What you should know is that we are also able to provide guidance on dealing with smaller matters during your regular dental exams. When you know what to do (or what not to do) about that aggravating dental problem, you can protect yourself against needless smile trouble!
Properly Removing Something Stuck Between Your Teeth
If you have something stuck between your teeth, do you work it out with floss, or use another approach? If food debris is lodged tightly enough that you need to do something about it, be careful about using your finger to clear it out, or using a pointed object. These actions can lead to bacteria gathering in your mouth, or even damage to your periodontal tissues. If you harm your gums with a pointed object in order to remove something that is firmly stuck, you can create new problems! If floss is not able to remove something that is stuck, and the problem is causing you discomfort, you can reach out to your dentist to explain the matter and arrange care if necessary.
Reducing Your Tendency To Grind Your Teeth At Night
If you have a persistent teeth grinding problem, a bruxism appliance can provide important protection for your teeth. The appliance is worn during rest, and it ensures that your teeth will remain apart so there is no damage from teeth grinding to worry about. If you are trying to bring your tendency to grind under control, you should know that the problem can be stress-related. Make changes in your nightly routine in order to bring down your stress levels before bed. You can also reduce your risk for grinding by reducing your consumption of products with alcohol or caffeine.
Addressing Persistent Bad Breath
Persistent bad breath is more than just a reason for embarrassment – it may be a sign that you have gingivitis! Check your gums for symptoms like bleeding, swelling, sensitivity, or discoloration to see if an infection might be responsible for your problems. Accumulated plaque and food debris left in your teeth can also be a concern. Better brushing and flossing habits can help you remove these substances so that they do not cause problems for you.
Your Upton, MA Dentist Can Help You Manage Your Dental Health
At our Upton, MA dentist’s office, we are prepared to help our patients take on the problems that interfere with their dental health. If you have questions about how we can help you, please call Dr. Goguen’s dental practice at 508-529-4591.