Most Common Dental Problems and How to Treat Them
Learning about typical dental issues can enable you to avoid them and maintain a lifelong healthy smile. Here is a look at the most common dental problems and treatment options for each.
1. Toothaches
Toothache is pain around the tooth that may be caused by many different factors, including:
- tooth decay
- abscess
- tooth sensitivity
- tooth injury
- recent dental work
- impacted teeth
- sinus congestion
- gum infection
- teeth grinding (bruxism)
We strongly advise seeking a thorough assessment from your dentist if you experience any discomfort or pain in your teeth or jaw. This ensures appropriate treatment is provided, as leaving pain unaddressed may lead to more severe, potentially life-threatening issues.
2. Tooth Decay
Tooth decay, commonly referred to as dental caries or cavities, results from bacteria in your mouth producing acids from the sugar in your food. These acids erode the enamel, the protective outer layer of the tooth, potentially causing the formation of holes or cavities in your teeth.
Depending on the extent of decay, treatment for tooth decay can range from composite fillings to dental crowns and extractions.
Preventing tooth decay involves brushing and flossing your teeth twice daily and maintaining regular dental check-ups every six months.
3. Gum Disease
Gum disease, also known as periodontal disease, is caused by the build up of plaque on your teeth. Typical signs of gum disease encompass red, swollen, and bleeding gums, along with potential issues like bad breath and tooth sensitivity.
Your dentist can address gum disease through deep cleaning, which involves periodontal scaling and root planing.. If left untreated, gum disease will progress to its more severe form, called periodontitis, that can lead to receding gums, damaged bone and tissue that hold the teeth, and loose teeth. What's more is that it can trigger an inflammatory response in your entire body.
Treating periodontitis involves using topical antibiotics to address the infection and seeking a referral to a periodontist, a specialist in gum diseases.
4. Mouth Sores
Mouth sores are a common ailment that affect many people at some point in their lives. These sores can appear on any soft tissues of your mouth, including lips, gums, inside your cheeks, tongue, and floor or roof of your mouth. They can cause some redness and pain, burning and tingling sensation around the sore.
Mouth sores usually resolve on their own in one to two weeks. In some cases, they may indicate an infection from a virus, like herpes simplex, or, in more severe cases, mouth sores can point to oral cancer. Consult your doctor if mouth sores persist beyond two weeks without resolution.
5. Crooked / Misaligned Teeth
Crooked and misaligned teeth may interfere with your chewing ability, can cause extensive wear to your teeth, and can be hard to clean. This can lead to tooth decay, cracked teeth, chronic headaches, and other health problems.
Fortunately, there are many treatment options for crooked teeth, including braces, removable aligners (Invisalign), and teeth straightening surgery. in addition, there are treatment options, like dental crowns and veneers, to restore existing damage caused by crooked teeth.
6. Tooth Sensitivity
Commonly, tooth sensitivity to hot and cold occurs when the outer layer of your tooth, known as enamel, wears away, exposing the dentin, often due to tooth decay. Other causes of tooth sensitivity include:
- Gum disease
- Infection of the tooth root
- Cracked or broken tooth
- Worn down crown or filling
- Enamel erosion
- Receding gums
Switch to a fluoride-containing tooth paste for sensitive teeth, and a soft-bristled toothbrush.Should the sensitivity persist, it is advisable to seek an assessment from your dentist, as it may necessitate a root canal or restoration.
7. Bad Breath
Several factors can contribute to bad breath, such as:
- Poor oral hygiene
- Dry mouth
- Certain medication
- Acid reflux
- Cancer
Moreover, certain foods you consume, such as garlic and onions, are frequent causes of bad breath.
The treatment of bad breath will depend on the cause. Thus, the dentist will do a thorough assessment before prescribing a course of action.
8. Tooth Discoloration
Various factors, such as your lifestyle, inadequate dental hygiene, and certain diseases, can lead to teeth becoming stained or discolored. Causes of tooth discoloration include:
- smoking or chewing tobacco
- A diet abundant in dark-colored and vibrant foods, such as wine, coffee, beets, etc..
- poor dental hygiene
- Conditions like liver disease, calcium deficiency, eating disorders, and celiac disease.
certain medicine, like antibiotics tetracycline and doxycycline, antihistamines, and other
aging
There are several treatment options available to treat tooth discoloration. These include:
- Adhering to a proper dental care regimen involves daily brushing and flossing.
- Additionally, consider brushing your teeth with baking soda a few times per week.
- Using over-the-counter products (whitening toothpastes, strips, trays and gels).
Professional in-office whitening treatment.
Certain instances of tooth discoloration are permanent; in such cases, your dentist can conceal the discoloration using veneers, crowns, or white composite fillings.
9. Tooth Attrition (Wear)
Dental attrition refers to the gradual loss of tooth structure or tissue resulting from contact between teeth. If left untreated over time, dental attrition can erode the enamel, revealing the dentin of the tooth.
This can lead to tooth sensitivity and decay.
Bruxism, the involuntary grinding and clenching of teeth during sleep often caused by muscle hypertonicity or tension, is the primary contributor to dental attrition. Another factor is misalignment of the bite; when teeth are not properly aligned, they may rub against each other, leading to attrition.
Depending on the cause of dental attrition, there are various treatment options. Commonly, the treatment for dental attrition will involve a combination of orthodontic measures.treatment to fix tooth alignment (eg. Invisalign), dental restorations for repairing damaged teeth, and addressing bruxism through treatment (e.g wearing a night guard).
10. Cracked or Broken Tooth
Your tooth may crack or break under the following circumstances:
- bite into something hard (e.g. a fork)
- get an injury (e.g. playing sports or car accident)
- grind your teeth
- engage in harmful habits (e.g. chewing ice)
- weakening of teeth over time due to the presence of large amalgam restorations.
Depending on the size of the damage, your dentist may recommend a crown to be fitted over the fractured or broken tooth. If the fracture extends into the pulp, a root canal would be necessary, followed by a restoration (i.e. veneer or crown). If the damage is beyond repair, the tooth would need to be extracted.
11. Receding Gums
Gum recession occurs when the gums are pushed back or erode, revealing the tooth's root. This can lead to sensitivity and pain, and can expose the teeth to infection, decay, and eventually bone and tooth loss, if left untreated.
Gum recession is prevalent among adults aged 40 and older and can result from various factors, such as:
- brushing too hard in the long-term
- using a hard-bristled toothbrush
- plaque build-up from poor dental hygiene
- periodontal (gum) disease
- tongue piercings
- misaligned teeth
- damage from dental work
- heredity
- smoking or any tobacco use
While receding gums cannot regrow on their own, there are several treatment options available to prevent further recession.
Depending on the underlying problem, some treatment options include deep cleaning, antibiotics, flap surgery, or gum grafting.
12. Impacted Teeth
A fully grown tooth that doesn't emerge in its normal position is referred to as "impacted." When wisdom teeth, for instance, are impacted or fail to break through the gumline, it can lead to discomfort. Typically, this results in gum inflammation, but the pain may extend to the jaw and ear. Take over the counter pain medication or visit your dentist for a wisdom tooth extraction.