When it comes to dental health, there are many things that can go wrong, but don’t worry, we have your back! Learn about the top ten dental problems patients face so you can be prepared if they strike you and so you can learn how to prevent them. At Mountain Aire Dentistry we are dedicated to providing you with excellent patient education so you can be prepared for whatever life throws your way. Here are ten of the most common dental problems that patients will face:

• Toothaches and Dental Emergencies: Dental emergencies can cause serious harm and should never be brushed aside. Act on any issues that you experience so you can prevent permanent damage or the need for more extensive work and treatment. Toothaches are indicators that a tooth is in trouble–either from a dental accident or decay. Save your teeth, but saving those nerves that are faltering.
• Dry Mouth:  Many people suffer from a condition called Dry Mouth. The severity of this condition ranges from being, simply, annoying to really harmful and hazardous to your general and dental health. Saliva is needed to help with breaking down your food for digestion, for appreciating the taste of your food and for neutralizing acids produced by bacteria that cause decay.  
• Missing Teeth: The average adult has three or more decayed or missing teeth. If you are missing one or more teeth, there are many reasons to work to correct the problem. Large spaces between your teeth may affect how you eat, speak and chew.  Gaps between teeth can cause other teeth to shift and cause bone loss to occur around a missing tooth.
• Bad Breath: Bad breath, also termed halitosis, often results from poor dental health habits and is linked to other health problems. Bad breath is influenced by the types of foods you eat and unhealthy lifestyle habits.
• Tooth Decay: Tooth decay is a term used to describe destruction of your tooth enamel, or the outer layer of your teeth. Tooth decay doesn’t discriminate and can strike children, teens and adults. Plaque–a sticky bacterial film–battles to consume your teeth. When you eat or drink foods containing sugars, the bacteria in plaque makes acids that then attack  your tooth enamel. The stickiness of the plaque allows the acids to stay affixed to your teeth with a constancy that can erode your tooth enamel overtime causing cavities.  
• Gum (Periodontal) Disease:  Periodontal diseases are infections of the structures around the teeth. These include the gums, the cementum that covers the root, the periodontal ligament and the alveolar bone. Gingivitis is seen as infection of the gums and is a sign of one of earliest stage of periodontal disease. In more severe forms of the disease, all of the supporting tissues are involved. Our office offers various periodontic treatments to help treat and prevent this disease from occurring.
• Oral Cancer: According to the Oral Cancer Foundation, oral cancer is among the largest group of cancers related to the head and neck.  Common names for oral cancer are:  mouth cancer, tongue cancer, tonsil cancer, and throat cancer.  As part of your routine dental exam, Dr. Bockrath will conduct an oral cancer screening exam. More specifically, he will feel for any lumps or irregular tissue changes in your neck, head, face, and oral cavity. When examining your mouth, he will look for any sores or discolored tissue as well as check for any signs and symptoms mentioned above.
• Mouth Sores: Mouth sores are common conditions that affect 80 percent of Americans during their lives. Mouth sores can be found on any of the soft tissues of the mouth, including the lips, cheeks, gums, tongue, and floor and roof of the mouth.
• Tooth Erosion and Teeth Grinding: The medical term for teeth grinding is bruxism.  While teeth grinding does not usually cause harm, if it occurs on a regular basis it can erode your teeth, damaging their health and the dental health of your smile and bite.  
• Tooth Sensitivity: Tooth sensitivity occurs when the enamel that protects your teeth thins, or when gums recede, exposing the underlying surface or dentin of your teeth.  Tooth sensitivity affects up to 57% of the population.

Mountain Aire Dentistry is a general and family dentistry practice, dedicated to helping you maintain optimal dental health and total body wellness. We focus on prevention, tooth preservation, and awareness and make every effort to treat our patients the way we treat members of our own family. We offer comprehensive care for your dental needs in a relaxed and efficient atmosphere.

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Mountain Aire Dentistry offers comprehensive care for your dental needs in a relaxed and efficient atmosphere. We are conveniently located at 291 E Flatiron Crossing Dr in Broomfield, CO, 80021 with easy access from both Erie & Centennial. Our goal is to provide quality dental care for you and your family through the use of the latest equipment and the most current technology.