Why You Should Be Concerned About White Gums
A guide to this oral health threat
A guide to this oral health threat
If you have white gums, then you need to make an appointment with your dentist as soon as possible. White gums can be a sign of some fairly serious oral health threats, so make sure you get them checked out. If you’re concerned about this symptom, here are some of the issues that can cause this colour change.
Dental Treatments
If you’ve just had a dental procedure such as a tooth extraction or whitening treatment then your gums may look paler than possible. This is a side effect of these procedures, and your gums should return to their normal colour within a few hours.
Oral Thrush
Oral thrush causes raised, creamy sores on the tongue, gums, or inside of the cheeks. This is caused by a yeast infection known as candidiasis and it’s most common in babies, the elderly, and people with diabetes. Oral thrush is fairly easy to treat with anti-fungal treatments, so make sure you visit your dentist if you think you have this condition.
Leukoplakia
If you have white patches in your mouth that don’t shift when you brush. then you may have leukoplakia. This is a condition that’s usually harmless and may be related to tobacco use. If you notice these white patches, you still need to visit your dentist because some cases of leukoplakia are precancerous. So, if you notice any patches, then get them checked as soon as possible.
Anaemia
If you have anaemia, then you may notice a colour change in your gums. Anaemia occurs when your body doesn’t have enough red blood cells, which are needed to carry blood around the body. This condition often causes pale skin, which can include pale gums. If you’re experiencing dizziness, fatigue, and weakness as well as pale gums, then this may be the cause.
Canker Sores
These are lesions that grow in the mouth or gums. They’re usually round with a pale centre and red border. Cancer sores can be very painful and are a common cause of late-night trips to an after hours dentist. To avoid an emergency trip, make sure you visit your dentist as soon as the canker sore appears so you can get treatment.
Oral Lichen Planus
This is a chronic autoimmune condition that causes a range of problems and symptoms including the appearance of white, lacy patches on the gums, tongue, and mouth tissues. If you have this condition, you will need to visit your dentist for regular check-ups, as you’ll be more prone to serious oral health problems such as oral cancer and infections.
Gingivitis
Gingivitis is a growing problem in the modern world. This is a mild form of gum disease that’s most often caused by poor oral hygiene habits. It can cause red and swollen gums, tooth pain or discomfort, bleeding, and even loose teeth. If left untreated, gingivitis can also cause the gums to turn white and start to recede. Once it gets to this stage, the condition is very serious, so make sure you visit your dentist before it gets to this point.
Oral Cancer
White gums are also a symptom of oral cancer. This can spread quickly, which is the most important reason why you need to get any white patches in your mouth checked by your dentist as soon as possible. With oral cancer, early diagnosis is key to the best treatment and outcome possible, so don’t delay.
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Key Signs of Oral Health Aging To Look Out For
How your dentist can help you age with grace
How your dentist can help you age with grace
One of the most common reasons why people end up at their after hours dentist is because of problems associated with aging. As you age, your mouth and your teeth change, and this must influence how you care for your oral health and your regular dental appointments. If you want to avoid dental emergencies because of age related dental changes, here’s a guide to the issues you need to look out for.
1. Receding Gums
As you age, your gums will pull away from the base of your teeth. This leaves the softer roots exposed, which makes them more prone to cavities or decay. Tooth pain and cavities are some of the most common reasons why people contact their after hours dentist. So, if you want to avoid this problem, make sure you discuss your gums with your dentist. They will be able to tell if your gums are receding and suggest strategies to protect your exposed gums.
2. Dry Mouth
As you get older, you will probably need to start taking medications for certain conditions or to protect your health. Unfortunately, this can cause dry mouth. Low saliva production is not only uncomfortable, it makes your teeth more prone to decay and infection. That’s why you shouldn’t just ignore this side effect. Instead, look for strategies that will increase your saliva production and boost its protective effects. This will help you avoid cavities, infection, and other oral health problems that will send you to your Emergency Dentist in Sydney.
3. Missing Teeth.
Lots of people lose teeth as they age. If you have a bad cavity or infection, it might be tempting to just have the tooth extracted and avoid a root canal. But this will just cause further problems down the road. When you have a missing tooth, it will result in bone loss, change the alignment of your teeth, and can even lead to an uneven jawbone. This is especially common as you age, because of overall bone loss density. So, if you want to avoid chewing problems, pain or discomfort, or infections because of missing teeth, you need to address this problem early with your dentist. Because if you ignore the issue, the problems will only get worse as you get older.
4. Discolouration.
Everyone wants a white, clean, great looking smile. But keeping your smile looking great gets harder as you get older. As you age, the enamel on your teeth will get thinner. This means that it will stain more easily when you ingest dark coloured foods or drinks. It also means that the dentin at the centre of your teeth will start to show, giving your teeth a grey or darker appearance. Once the enamel on your teeth is gone it doesn’t grow back, so it’s important that you protect it as you age. This will help you avoid trips to your after hours dentist because of cavities and decay and it will also keep your smile white and clean looking as you get older. To protect your enamel, cut down on acidic foods like sweets, soft drinks, and juice, and rinse your mouth after eating. Also, make sure that you visit your dentist for check-ups and whitening treatments regularly to keep your teeth in the best shape possible.
If you have to have your teeth removed, then dentures can be a great alternative. They’re easy to use, removeable, and will allow you to eat all your favourite foods. But they can also cause problems for your oral health. If your dentures don’t fit properly or aren’t cleaned regularly, they can cause gum inflammation, rubbing, or even thrush. These problems can be very painful and can even result in a visit to your after hours dentist. To avoid these issues, make sure that your dentures are professionally fitted and that you visit your dentist as soon as possible if you experience any problems.
Emergency Dentist Sydney Says:
If you have a dental emergency, contact our Emergency Dentist in Sydney. Our caring and expert staff are available 24 hours a day to help you with all your emergency dental needs.
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