Dentist Miami Gardens

WHY VISIT THE DENTIST?

Do you live in Miami Gardens and rarely go to the dentist? Your mouth can be the home of many serious health risks and these are often easily prevented by simply making a dentist appointment. Your dentist is the key to a happy and healthy smile for years to come.

HOW MANY APPOINTMENTS SHOULD I MAKE?

We recommend you set two appointments per year. These scheduled appointments are usually about six months apart and allow us enough time between visits to monitor any changes in your oral health.

We will perform a deep oral clean during these visits to remove all plaque and tartar that you may have missed, especially if you don’t floss. Everyone should floss once a day, while brushing is done twice daily. However, even by doing both of these, there is always the risk of missing some plaque or tartar, leading to severe complications.

1. GUM DISEASE

Gum disease (aka periodontal damage) can come in several forms, affecting nearly a third of people aged 30 and up. With so many people having suffered from gum disease, enough completed research has finally nailed down the three leading steps.

When plaque and tartar build-up on your teeth, it can cause gingivitis (inflammation of gums). If left unchecked, the volume of bacteria increases, which further irritates the soft tissues in your mouth. Eventually, this will lead to periodontitis when your teeth and gums separate, leading to pockets where bacteria can collect.

2. ORAL CANCER

In a world where you never go to the dentist and neglect proper hygiene long enough, you can expect cancer to form. Did you know that in the United States, 53 thousand citizens are diagnosed with mouth and throat cancers each year? Many of these cases could have been detected earlier with responsible dental visits.

It’s impossible to explain all the symptoms because they rarely occur early on, and also, not all diseases have the same telltale signs. However, the following are warning signs of something being wrong:

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  Removing Plaque

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  Persistent lump(s)

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  Patches

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  Loose tooth

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  Pain when swallowing

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  Continuous mouth or jaw pain

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  Ear pain

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  Increased likelihood for tobacco users

3. EMERGENCIES

As with all urgent medical crises, come to us right away if you’re experiencing an emergency. Emergencies are typically easy to tell apart from non-emergencies, but just in case, here is a list of what they could look like:

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  Severe pain

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  Lost tooth / loose teeth

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  Abscesses or infections

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  Bleeding

Any of these should trigger warning signs. As a general rule, only children lose teeth naturally. As an adult, whatever teeth you have currently are the only ones you’ll get. When they become loose or are falling out, you need medical help right away.

4. CAVITIES

The most common health condition found in all ages is cavities; nearly 3 billion men, women, and children worldwide have a cavity. However, cavities are very easy to prevent, and the best way to avoid them is to know how they form.

Cavities are a direct result of plaque, bacteria, and sugar mixing. These three compounds form an acid that breaks down enamel with extreme prejudice. Once you get one, you’ll only have a few options for treatment.

Since the tooth is decaying, it either needs to be repaired or uprooted. While fillings can correct most cavities, there are instances where a filling isn’t practical. If the hole is too big, it may require extraction leading to the implanting of a new crown.

5. BLACK TONGUE

Also referred to as black hairy tongue, it is a nonmedical emergency prevented early with dental visits. Black tongue results from bacteria and dead skin cells accumulating on the top of your tongue, causing it to turn black and look hairy. Luckily for those unlucky souls who develop this, it is not serious and doesn’t require extensive treatment to remedy.

You can lower the likelihood of this diagnosis by simply brushing your tongue or using a tongue scraper. In addition, your dentist will often prescribe you medication that kills bacteria or may do that in conjunction with scrapping your tongue if you develop it and can’t take care of it on your own.

Also referred to as black hairy tongue, it is a nonmedical emergency prevented early with dental visits. Black tongue results from bacteria and dead skin cells accumulating on the top of your tongue, causing it to turn black and look hairy. Luckily for those unlucky souls who develop this, it is not serious and doesn’t require extensive treatment to remedy.

VISIT YOUR LOCAL DENTIST IN MIAMI GARDENS MORE OFTEN!

If black tongue and cancer scare you, you should get back to regular dentist check-ups. There is no harm in visiting the dentist, only positives. So visit Riviera Dental next time you are due for a check-up; you’ll be glad you did!