5 Most Common Dental Problems
Dental problems can affect anybody at any stage in life. These problems can lead to tooth loss and may affect your overall well-being. Fortunately, most dental problems are preventable, provided that you know their causes.
This blog post examines the most common dental problems.
1. Bad breath
Bad breath is an embarrassing dental condition that may occur due to another dental problem. For example, gum disease and cavities have been known to cause bad breath. You can also have bad breath if you have oral cancer or dry mouth.
Although using mouthwash can be a temporary solution, you may need to see a dentist for a more permanent treatment.
2. Tooth Cavities
Cavities are caused by a substance called plaque as it accumulates on the tooth's outer layer. Plaque occurs when bacterial activity converts sugar into acids.
The plaque will destroy the outermost layer of your teeth. Tooth cavities are common, with about 9 in 10 people experiencing tooth decay at one point or another.
A dentist will conduct some tests — such as x-ray scanning — to examine tooth decay. The examination will look at the soft sections of the tooth for any cracks.
Common treatments for tooth decay include frequent teeth brushing and the use of fluoride toothpaste. You should also floss at least once a day and reduce your sugary drinks and food intake.
3. Tooth Sensitivity
This is a condition where you experience pain on the surface of your teeth whenever you eat cold or hot foods. Common triggers are cold air, cold drinks and foods, hot foods and drinks, and acidic beverages. You will experience pain at the roots or on the crowns of the affected tooth. The problem may be temporary or can persist for a long time.
Here are some of the causes of tooth sensitivity.
- Using excessive force to brush your teeth
- Using a toothbrush with hard bristles
- Consuming acidic and sugary beverages and foods
Sometimes, other medical conditions — like gastro-esophageal reflux — can lead to tooth sensitivity. Also, tooth sensitivity may occur naturally in some people.
4. Gum Disease
Gum disease happens when bacteria start to accumulate in your mouth. The accumulation of bacteria causes gum inflammation and may lead to bleeding.
The build-up of bacteria can happen because you don't floss, brush, or rinse your mouth often. The bacteria will produce acids and tartar and make it difficult to clean your teeth. Gum disease can also occur due to many other factors. For example, hormonal changes during menstruation, menopause, puberty, and pregnancy can cause gum disease.
Similarly, certain conditions, such as HIV and cancer, weaken your immune system and cause gum disease. You can also have gum disease if you use medications that reduce the amount of saliva in the mouth.
5. Mouth Sores
Mouth sores are a painful condition that develops when you consume foods with high sugar content. You can also have mouth sores if your body temperature rises beyond the required limit. The high temperatures force your body to create mouth sores during the healing process.
Many mouth sores exist, but the most common ones are canker sores. These types of sores typically occur on the inner lining of your mouth. Another type of sore is fever blisters that appear on the edges of the lips.
Usually, most sores will heal within two weeks, and you shouldn't worry about the condition.
You can also consume healthy foods and drinks to prevent mouth sores. However, if the condition persists for more than two weeks, get help from a dentist.
Protect Your Oral Health
Proper dental health has a positive impact on your overall well-being. Hence, schedule regular visits to Cruz Davis Family and Cosmetic Dentistry. We provide dental checkups, treatments, and other dental services. Contact us to book an appointment.
