Even in your twenties teeth need help

Are you twenty something?

If you went to the dentist in the last six months, that’s brilliant. You’re doing the right thing. But, if you’ve let your preventive oral care slip, then now’s the time to book an appointment to get back on top of looking after your teeth in your twenties.

As dentists, we’re concerned that the teeth of people over twenty aren’t getting the attention they need. So adults can regularly access dental checks and hygiene appointments, we offer planned payment schemes.

By supporting preventive care for women and men in their late teens, early twenties and upwards, we believe we can minimise tooth decay and gum disease leading to tooth loss in later years.

What problems do young adult patients have?

When we look into the mouth of twenty year olds, it’s true that in general people have healthier teeth now than they used to. Fluoride products, better diets and improved oral health education are working. Gone are the days when brides would exchange their teeth for dentures before their big day. Nowadays dental practices focus more on offering effective preventive care. Our aim is to help young people keep their teeth healthy for life.

Not going to the dentist

With the NHS footing the bill for routine care and clinically necessary children’s dentistry, more and more young people are getting effective preventive treatment until they leave school. Although too many children still have to have dental extractions and fillings, teenagers are entering their twenties with better teeth than in the past.

But then the problem starts.

Once school is over, people move away from home and become busy with work and life. Unless their mouths actually hurt, many people don’t feel the need to go to the dentist.

But a dentist is trained to spot concerns before they develop into problems that hurt. Regular visits to a dentist will help you maintain healthy teeth and gums and, in the long run, will save you money too.

Preventive care does what it says – it prevents costly treatments caused by neglecting the need for regular dental checks.

5 common issues that bring new patients to us:

#1 problem – toothache

This usually means there’s dental decay. The treatment is usually a filling. Once your dentist needs to place a filling the tooth is weaker than it was originally because, however ‘good’ the filling, it’s only a repair.

Unfortunately, some patients are able to ignore the initial signs of dental decay, often by using too many over-the-counter pain-killers, and leave it so late the root is infected. Root canal therapy is even more invasive than a simple filling, and commonly a prosthetic crown is needed too.

People also ask:

• • My tooth aches. What should I do?
  • What are the stages of root canal treatment?

#2 problem – yellow teeth

Permanent teeth are naturally a range of shades from cream to beige. As you get older (yes, even in your twenties teeth may begin to show signs of wear!) and dental enamel weakens, teeth appear less pearly.

The life-style choices you make also change the colour of our teeth. So eating curry and drinking a lot of coffee or red wine, for example, and certainly smoking, all contribute to staining teeth. A dentist can offer advice on how to lighten the colour of your teeth.

Further problems can arise as a result of using tooth whitening products that are either too abrasive or corrosive. It is far better to pay more and get tailored professional advice and supervision from a dentist. Trying methods that seem cheaper in the short-term may lead to more costly treatments later to restore the damage done.

People also ask:

• • What’s the best way to make my teeth lighter?
  •  How does age affect our teeth?

#3 problem – bad breath

Patients in their twenties often come in to see us because they’re aware their breath isn’t too good. As most cases of halitosis originate in the mouth, your dentist is the best professional to help. It’s important to treat the cause of the problem, not just mask it with mouth wash or breath fresheners. In a few cases bad breath indicates a problem with digestion or medications, in which case your dentist will refer you to a different health care provider.

Bad breath is more than a social problem. It is a reliable indicator that you have either tooth decay or gum disease that needs treating. It’s a symptom of reduced well-being that should not be ignored.

People also ask:

• • How can I be sure my breath smells okay?
  • What is tongue scraping?

#4 problem – wobbly or missing tooth

A wobbly or knocked out tooth can be caused by an accident. We often get calls from people who have knocked a tooth. Our practices have advice on the answer machine to help you cope.

Treat a knocked out tooth as a dental emergency. If your tooth is knocked out:

• find the tooth
• hold it by the crown (not the root)
• place it in milk (or in the side of your mouth between your lip and gums)
• get emergency dental help asap to re-root the tooth

Missing or wobbly teeth are also caused by periodontal disease. Preventive care can help you to identify gum disease before it develops into gingivitis. If you visit the dentist regularly your hygienist can set up a programme targeting gum health to prevent periodontitis and possible tooth loss.

People also ask:

• • What is periodontitis?
  • What do I do if I knock a tooth out?

#5 problem – aching jaw

One of the problems (or joys?) of getting older is that we have more responsibilities to feel stressed about. Clenching or grinding teeth can lead to extra pressure exerted on the jaw bone. Left untended Temporomandibular Disorder (TMD) may develop.

Moreover, dentists recommend  orthodontic treatment for reasons other than pure aesthetics.  Having teeth that are out of alignment can also cause pain over the years as adults age. If teeth are aligned properly, then the pressure of chewing, biting and even talking are more evenly distributed.

People also ask:

• • Why does stress make my jaw ache?
  • Can I get my teeth straightened now I’m older?

It’s time to take responsibility

Suddenly life catches up with us, and it starts to show in our teeth.

As we get older we take on lots of new responsibilities. We have work, family ties, and we have to look after the health of others. But we do need to make time to look after ourselves too.

Keeping our teeth in good shape helps project confidence and contributes to our systemic health. If you are in good dental health and interested in regular access to dental checks and oral hygiene care, then it makes sense to apply to your local dental practice to become a plan patient.

Most dental practices these days offer regular access to routine dental care through a regular monthly payment plan. Think of it as your dental fitness membership scheme.

If you’re making a monthly payment, you’re more likely to attend dental or hygiene appointments. Going to your dentist every six months will help you to maintain good oral health. As you get older, you’ll be glad that you’ve made this investment in your future.

We recommend you contact your nearest dental practice to find out how they can support your ongoing, regular dental care.

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