Dental problems can be as chronic as other health diseases but do not receive the required attention from people. As a result, a simple toothache can develop into severe tooth decay and shatter your confidence. One of the major reasons for a staggering number of orthodontic diseases is the lack of awareness and unavailability of quality oral care.
Fortunately, most oral problems like sensitivity, bad breath, and tooth decay are preventable. But even if encountered, these diseases are treatable with professional orthodontic treatments.
Here are the most common dental problems and how to fix them to have healthy teeth and gums.
Tooth decay
Tooth decay occurs when the bacteria in plaque produce acids that affect the outer surface of a tooth called enamel. The acid then breaks down the dentin, the inner layer of a tooth, and may even cause cavities in your teeth. It happens when you consume a high-glucose diet and do not clean your teeth regularly.
You can prevent tooth decay by maintaining proper oral hygiene, regularly brushing and flossing your teeth. At an earlier stage, tooth decay can be treated with fluoride toothpaste. If the acid has caused cavities, you might need a filling or may even need to have a root canal treatment.
Crooked teeth
Crooked or misaligned teeth are typically a genetic problem and are very common among children. It happens when teeth erupt irregularly during adolescence and affect the jaw size and shape.
Crooked teeth can be fixed with the help of braces, veneers, or invisible aligners such as Invisalign. Invisalign can be a good option because these aligners are nearly invisible and are custom-made to fit and guard each tooth. Despite being relatively expensive, you can still find affordable Invisalign orthodontic treatment options by looking online or asking people for recommendations.
If you don’t fix crooked teeth, the condition can make it difficult for you to clean your teeth properly. It can also cause dental decay, gum diseases, and other oral issues.
Periodontal gum disease
Severe periodontal disease affects approximately 19% of the adult population worldwide. Periodontal disease is an infection of the gums that damages the tissues that support and surround the teeth. The initial stage, called gingivitis, can cause red, swollen, or bleeding gums. While the severe stage, periodontitis, can cause the gum to come away from the tooth and deteriorate the supporting bone.
Some symptoms of periodontitis may include spitting out blood, loose teeth or loss of teeth, puss in the gums, etc. The most common treatments for periodontal disease can be root planing, scaling, soft tissue grafting, and bone grafting.
Bad breath
Bad breath is one of the most common and distressing dental problems you can experience. Bad breath is medically termed halitosis and can be caused by many factors, including the following:
- Dry mouth
- Gum disease
- Medication
- Infection
- Oral cancer
- Odorous food residue
There are several ways to address and prevent common bad breath. Brushing your teeth regularly and using mouthwash are two of the most prescribed ways. You can also use mouth fresheners. If you experience severe bad breath even after maintaining oral hygiene, consult a dentist.
Tooth sensitivity
Tooth sensitivity is another common dental problem in which your tooth becomes sensitive to hot or cold temperatures. Sensitivity occurs when the enamel is worn down and the sensitive tissues underneath, known as dentin, are exposed. Dentin covers the nerve inside the tooth, and when it is exposed, hot and cold food touches the nerve, which in response, causes intense pain.
Some of the possible causes of tooth sensitivity include:
- Enamel erosion
- Tooth decay
- Cracked or broken tooth
- Receding gums
- Root infection
Sensitivity can be treated using high-fluoride toothpaste or getting fluoride treatment, gum graft, or a root canal, subject to the case severity.
Root infection
The root is the part of the tooth which is under the crown. When the root of your tooth is infected, it causes intense pulsating pain and makes chewing hurtful. A root infection can develop if tooth damage or decay is improperly treated. Eventually, it damages the nerves and tissues of the tooth.
Additionally, the affected part of the jaw will become swollen, and you will also experience tooth sensitivity. The best treatment for root infection is getting a root canal. In a root canal treatment, your dentist removes the bacteria and seals the tooth with a filling or a crown.
Tooth erosion
When you consume too much acidic and sugary foods, your teeth lose structure. The enamel dissolves and thins out, making your teeth sensitive to hot and cold foods. You can also experience enamel erosion after excessive vomiting and heavy medicine intake. It can also make your teeth look discolored, pitted, and prone to cracking and chipping.
Unfortunately, tooth erosion cannot be restored but can only be prevented from further damage. It can only be prevented by reducing sugary and acidic food intake and brushing your teeth mildly with a toothbrush having soft bristles.
If your tooth eroded completely or partially and lost its structure, you may get the following treatments:
- Tooth extraction
- Root canal treatment
- Crowns
- Filling
Receding gums
Receding gums is a condition in which gums surrounding teeth start to shrink, revealing more of the teeth or roots. In this condition, gaps form between the teeth, causing plaque and bacteria to build up.
A common sign of receding gums is tooth sensitivity. Later, your teeth look longer than normal as your gums shrink and pull back. Like tooth erosion, gum recession is also irreversible and can only be stopped from worsening. In some cases, gum grafts are possible but are not always successful.
As per the Global Oral Health Status Report by WHO, approximately 3.5 billion people suffer from oral diseases globally. This is mainly because of poor or compromised maintenance of oral hygiene. In most cases, dental problems are treatable, but you cannot regain the strength and durability you originally had. Preventive measures like brushing regularly, using fluoride toothpaste, and reducing the intake of high-sugar foods greatly to having healthy gums and an attractive smile. Also, seeing a dentist as soon as you sense any abnormality related to oral health is highly advisable.
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