Not receiving the appropriate routine or even restorative dental care can greatly impact your oral health. At Tarheel Family and Cosmetic Dentistry, Dr. Sarah Cook and her team want their patients to maintain their teeth and gums even in quarantine. It is important to keep your mouth healthy today is a preventative measure for future oral health problems. Read on about common dental problems that are caused by poor oral hygiene or a lack of professional dental care:

Gum Disease

Periodontitis, or gum disease, is one of the top dental problems caused by poor oral hygiene. When gums especially are not treated with care, they can become sensitive and plaque can build up between teeth. Over time, gum disease loosens teeth and causes gum recession. In severe cases, patients with gum disease lose teeth.

Crooked and Misaligned Teeth

It is more difficult to clean between crooked and misaligned teeth than straight teeth. Even if patients floss regularly, they often aren’t able to provide their teeth and gums with a deep clean. Plaque and bacteria can buildup between crooked teeth, which is why patients with crooked teeth are more likely to develop gum disease and other oral health problems.

Missing Teeth

A tooth or multiple teeth can get knocked out accidentally, however, at times missing teeth are a result of an emergency extraction. When cavities and tooth decay are not treated soon enough, teeth begin to wear down and eventually fall out. In addition, when a missing tooth or teeth are not replaced, remaining teeth may shift and cause overcrowding in the mouth. Overcrowded teeth are more susceptible to decay.

Call Our Office

Contact our Chapel Hill, NC dentist office at (919) 551-8847. You can also schedule a future appointment with our dental team on our website. We look forward to seeing you safe and healthy.