A Healthy Smile Is Important for a Great Overall Appearance

Most times dental issues can be fairly easy to self-diagnose. You can see you chipped a tooth and you can feel when you have an exposed nerve or an abscess. However, there are a lot of dental conditions that aren't always so easy to figure out simply because they aren't as common as the other conditions. You can learn about some of the more uncommon dental problems by reviewing the information below.

Oral Herpes – There is a common misconception that any type of herpes is an STD and this is not the case. Oral herpes is moderately contagious and everyone of all ages is at risk. The signs and symptoms of this condition include red, sore and inflamed gums. These are also the symptoms of periodontal disease, which makes it possible for someone to think they have the latter instead. However, oral herpes can also come with sores in the mouth.

Thrush – Thrush is a condition caused by the multiplication of significant amounts of yeast. The signs of thrush include whitish spots in the mouth and/or on the tongue that are painful. Generally, infants are most at risk of developing thrush. However, there are some things that can make someone of any age more susceptible to developing thrush and a few examples of these things include someone who is on a strong regimen of certain antibiotics, someone who already has a compromised immune system or someone who is elderly. Wearing dentures can also put one at an increased risk of developing this condition.

Enamel hypoplasia – Enamel hypoplasia is a condition which causes there to be a lack of enamel on the surface of one's teeth. This condition usually runs in someone's family history. However, there are some medications that can cause a pregnant mother to put her unborn child at risk of developing it. These medications are not generally given to expectant mothers, when it is known that they are expecting. The condition makes the teeth softer and darker in color. They can also be more sensitive since there isn't enough enamel and they are at more risk of damage and cavities.

Anyone who thinks they may be dealing with one of these conditions, either in themselves or their children, should seek assistance and treatment from a family dentistry office. This way, the condition can be properly diagnosed and treated. While there is no treatment for enamel hypoplasia, there are many things that can be done to strengthen the teeth, such as bonding or veneers.