Oral health is often considered a “window” to the body’s well-being. The mouth is the entry point to the digestive and respiratory tracts. While most oral bacteria are harmless, poor hygiene can lead to an overgrowth of harmful bacteria and infections. These oral infections, particularly gum disease, have been linked to systemic conditions such as cardiovascular (heart) disease and diabetes.

You should schedule a consultation if you experience persistent symptoms, including tooth pain or sensitivity to hot and cold, swollen or bleeding gums when brushing, chronic bad breath, loose teeth, jaw clicking, or any mouth sore that does not heal.

• Gingivitis: The early, reversible stage of gum disease caused by plaque buildup. It makes gums red, swollen, and prone to bleeding.

Periodontitis: If gingivitis is untreated, it advances to periodontitis. In this stage, gums pull away from the teeth, forming deep pockets, and the bone supporting the teeth is destroyed, which can lead to tooth loss.

X-rays allow dentists to see issues that are invisible to the naked eye during a visual exam. They are essential for detecting cavities between teeth, assessing bone loss, identifying infections (such as abscesses) at the root, and detecting issues below the gumline.

Root canal therapy is a procedure used to save a badly infected or damaged tooth that might otherwise need to be extracted. The dentist removes the infected inner pulp of the tooth, cleans the canal carefully, and then seals it to prevent future infection.