Cavities and tooth decay - Symptoms and causes - Mayo Clinic
Nov 30, 2023 · Not cleaning your teeth well, snacking a lot and sipping sugary drinks are the main causes of cavities. Cavities are areas in the hard surface of your teeth that are damaged. These areas of tooth decay become tiny openings or holes that can lead to a …
Cavities and tooth decay - Diagnosis and treatment - Mayo Clinic
Nov 30, 2023 · Not cleaning your teeth well, snacking a lot and sipping sugary drinks are the main causes of cavities. Your dentist usually can detect tooth decay by: Asking about tooth pain and sensitivity.
Periodontitis - Symptoms and causes - Mayo Clinic
Feb 24, 2023 · Periodontitis (per-e-o-don-TIE-tis), also called gum disease, is a serious gum infection that damages the soft tissue around teeth. Without treatment, periodontitis can destroy the bone that supports your teeth. This can cause teeth to loosen or lead to tooth loss. Periodontitis is common but can usually be prevented.
Oral health: A window to your overall health - Mayo Clinic
Mar 14, 2024 · Clean between your teeth daily with floss, a water flosser or other products made for that purpose. Eat a healthy diet and limit sugary food and drinks. Replace your toothbrush every 3 to 4 months.
Tooth abscess - Symptoms & causes - Mayo Clinic
Jun 29, 2022 · Not taking proper care of your teeth and gums — such as not brushing your teeth twice a day and not flossing — can increase your risk of dental problems. Problems may include tooth decay, gum disease, tooth abscess, and other dental and mouth complications.
Gingivitis - Symptoms and causes - Mayo Clinic
Nov 16, 2023 · Overview. Gingivitis is a common and mild form of gum disease, also called periodontal disease. It causes irritation, redness, swelling and bleeding of your gingiva, which is the part of your gum around the base of your teeth. It's important to take gingivitis seriously and treat it promptly.
Toothache: First aid - Mayo Clinic
Jun 7, 2024 · The first sign of decay may be pain when you eat something sweet, very cold or very hot. Sometimes decay will show as a brown or white spot on the tooth. Other causes of a toothache can include: Food stuck between your teeth, especially if your teeth have spaces between them, or plaque buildup.
Periodontitis - Diagnosis and treatment - Mayo Clinic
Feb 24, 2023 · A periodontist is a dentist who specializes in gum disease. A dental hygienist may work with your dentist or periodontist as part of your treatment plan. The goal of treatment is to thoroughly clean the pockets around teeth and prevent …
Impacted wisdom teeth - Symptoms and causes - Mayo Clinic
Feb 1, 2024 · Sometimes a wisdom tooth becomes stuck below the surface of your gums and grows at an odd angle, possibly causing problems. This is called an impacted wisdom tooth. Wisdom teeth, the third molars at the back of the mouth, are the last adult teeth to come in.
Dry mouth - Symptoms and causes - Mayo Clinic
Dec 19, 2023 · Dry mouth often is due to aging, the side effects of certain medicines or radiation therapy for cancer. Less often, a condition directly affecting the salivary glands can cause dry mouth. You also may experience dry mouth temporarily if you …