Many people experience dental problems at some point in their lives despite maintaining good oral health. Oral hygiene, diet, genetics, and lifestyle choices can contribute to various dental issues.
Recognizing common dental problems early can help prevent complications and ensure timely treatment. Below are some of the most frequent dental issues and how to manage them. Let’s check them out.
Common dental problems
Common dental problems include tooth cavities, gum disease, enamel erosion, and missing teeth. These issues can cause pain, impact eating abilities, and affect self-esteem.
1. Cavities (tooth decay)
Dental caries or cavities, also tooth decay is the most common dental problem. Cavities are little holes in your teeth that happen when plaque buildup leads to the breakdown of tooth enamel due to acids produced by bacteria. If left untreated, cavities can cause pain, infections, and even tooth loss.
This dental problem often occurs due to poor oral hygiene, sugary foods and drinks, and lack of fluoride.
You can prevent it by brushing your teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, flossing daily, and limiting sugary drinks. Dentists usually treat cavities with fillings.
2. Bad breath (halitosis)
Persistent bad breath, medically called halitosis, is a condition often caused by bacteria in the mouth, poor oral hygiene, or underlying health conditions.
This rather common dental problem can be easily addressed. The best way to prevent bad breath implies improving your oral hygiene. Brush and floss your teeth daily, and don’t forget to use mouthwash as well.
If bad breath persists, it’s time to visit your dentist. Bad breath can be caused by gum disease, oral cancer, or impacted teeth. So, consulting with your dentist is highly important.
3. Gum disease
Gums are the tissue that holds all our teeth in one place. Gum disease starts as gingivitis causing dental and oral issues which include swelling, redness, and bleeding. Gingivitis is a milder form of gum disease. It can be easily treated by getting professional dental cleaning and increasing dental care at home.
If untreated, gingivitis can become periodontitis. This condition often leads to gum recession, bone loss, and tooth loss. Treatment for periodontitis will include antibiotics, as well as regular brushing, flossing, using antibacterial mouthwash, and professional cleanings.
4. Impacted teeth
This dental issue occurs when a tooth stays trapped in the gums or jawbone instead of going out as it should. An impacted tooth typically occurs when a tooth is trapped against another tooth, bone, or soft tissue.
If it isn’t causing discomfort, a dentist may suggest leaving it as is. However, if it becomes painful or poses potential issues, an oral surgeon can perform its removal.
Before surgery, your dentist will suggest doing dental imaging. You can look for a CBCT scan near me. CT cone beam is used to investigate the exact location of impacted teeth before surgery.
5. Crooked or misaligned teeth
Crooked or misaligned teeth, medically referred to as orthodontia, can affect appearance, speech, and chewing ability. Some of the most common causes of this dental problem include genetics, thumb-sucking in childhood, or injury.
Ideally, you would want to treat this issue early on, preferably in childhood. Early dental checkups for children and orthodontic treatments when needed can be a great solution.
However, orthodontic treatments like braces or aligners aren’t just for kids. They can help correct alignment issues even in adults.
6. Tooth sensitivity
Yet another very common dental issue is tooth sensitivity. It occurs when the enamel wears down, exposing the underlying dentin, and leading to pain or discomfort when consuming hot, cold, or sweet foods.
Thankfully, tooth sensitivity is easily preventable with good oral hygiene. Proper brushing, flossing, and using mouthwash can prevent this issue. Additionally, reducing the intake of sugary and acidic foods can also prevent this condition.
However, if your teeth are sensitive, make sure to visit your dentist just so they can assess the severity of this condition and give you appropriate treatment.
7. Teeth grinding (bruxism)
Teeth grinding, also known as bruxism, is the involuntary grinding or clenching of teeth, often during sleep. This condition can lead to enamel wear, jaw pain, and headaches.
Some of the main culprits for this condition are stress, misaligned teeth, or sleep disorders. In case you have a problem with teeth grinding at night, ask your dentist for a nightguard.
On the other hand, if it’s a daytime problem, try practicing stress management, meditation, exercise, or other ways to relieve stress.
8. Oral sores and ulcers
Mouth sores and ulcers are yet another common oral issue that are rarely signs of anything serious. However, living with them can be uncomfortable.
Mouth sores, such as canker sores and cold sores, can be painful and interfere with eating and speaking. They usually appear due to stress, infections, certain foods, and hormonal changes.
These oral issues are easily preventable with good oral hygiene, avoiding trigger foods, and using over-the-counter treatments if needed. If an ulcer persists longer than 3 weeks, make sure you see your dentist.
9. Stained or discolored teeth
Tooth discoloration can be caused by food, drinks, smoking, or aging, affecting the brightness of your smile. There are three ways to whiten your teeth.
First, your dentist can apply a whitening agent and use a special light to enhance the results. Alternatively, you can bleach your teeth at home using a plastic tray and gel provided by your dentist or purchased from a store.
The easiest option is using whitening toothpaste and rinses, which only help remove surface stains.
To prevent staining from happening, avoid stain-causing foods, and make sure you brush your teeth regularly.
10. Wisdom teeth issues
Few people are so lucky as to have no problems when their wisdom teeth emerge. About 90% of people have at least one impacted wisdom tooth that fails to fully grow in.
Impacted wisdom teeth can lead to cavities, damage to nearby teeth, and gum disease. These teeth typically emerge between the ages of 17 and 25, and your dentist should monitor their development. If they cause complications, removal may be necessary.
Conclusion
As you can see, proper care of your oral health is essential for preventing most of these common dental problems. Regular dental visits, good oral hygiene, and a healthy diet can help keep your teeth and gums in excellent condition.
If you notice any signs of dental issues, consult a dentist promptly to prevent complications.