Symptoms of Dental Problems

Any disorder of the teeth or gums has its own set of symptoms, but there are some general indicators that you should visit the dentist because your mouth might not be as healthy as it could be:

• Sensitive or painful teeth, especially when eating or drinking something hot or cold
• Swollen, sensitive and/or bleeding gums
• Difficulty chewing
• Bad breath (medically called halitosis) or persistent bad taste in the mouth
• Discolorations
• Teeth that are easily susceptible to breaking or falling out

If you regularly experience these symptoms, you might consider setting up an appointment to visit dentist as soon as possible. The sooner you get in, the sooner your dentist can diagnose the problem and help you determine a solution.

Common Dental Conditions

Ideally you should be able to get a clean bill of health for your mouth by practicing good oral hygiene at home and meeting with your dentist for twice yearly checkups and cleaning.

However, a variety of disorders can affect your dental health, including:

• Cavities, which could require tooth extraction, a root canal or other treatment to prevent further pain or infection
• Gum disease, including gingivitis (sensitive, swollen gums) or periodontitis (loss of the gum tissue that holds teeth in place)
• A dental abscess is a development of pus within the mouth; it indicates severe infection, and could be accompanied by symptoms like swelling, intense pain and fever

In addition to common problems affecting the teeth and gums, your dentist might be the first to find signs of serious diseases that can affect the entire body.

A dental examination and X-ray could help uncover signs of:

• Osteoporosis
• Diabetes
• Heart disease
• Cancer of the mouth

In addition, maintaining good oral health may help protect you against these conditions. Gum disease has been linked to diabetes, heart disease, and cancer–not just cancer of the mouth, but also breast cancer, pancreatic cancer, and others. Receding gums have also been linked to osteoporosis, though the causal relationship is less clear.

Other Conditions We Can Help with

Of course, a holistic dentistry practice like Dr. Marzban’s does more than just address your oral health. We can help with some problems you might not associate with your dental office.

Temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ or  TMD) is a jaw dysfunction that can cause symptoms throughout your body. Headaches, neck pain, back pain, ear-related symptoms, and more are all linked to this condition. With comprehensive diagnosis and noninvasive treatments, we can resolve these symptoms.

Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder in which your breathing stops. It can occur hundreds of times a night, even if you’re not aware of it. CPAP is commonly prescribed for sleep apnea, but most people can’t adjust to it. Sleep dentist Dr. Marzban offers a more comfortable and convenient sleep apnea treatment.

If you would like to learn more about how our Fairfax dentist can help you achieve your optimal oral and overall health, please email Dr. Marzban or call 703-323-8200 today to schedule a consultation.