Top 15 Common Dental Problems: Causes, Treatments, and Prevention.
Dental disorders are among the most frequent health concerns that most people face throughout their lives.
Dental disorders are among the most frequent health concerns that most people face throughout their lives. For example, the majority of people in the United States have or will develop gingivitis, sometimes known as gum disease.
This article will look at the 15 most frequent dental disorders. Many of these are easy to treat but even more accessible to avoid. Some are harmless and just cosmetic, while others might have significant health consequences if not addressed.
So, what are the most prevalent dental issues? We will look at the reasons and treatments for each condition. Let’s get started.
Top 15 Common Dental Problems
1. Toothache
A toothache, like any other discomfort, is your body’s way of letting you know something is wrong. It might be mild, short-lived, severe, long-term, and incapacitating.
A toothache may be caused by:
Possible causes of tooth decay include cavities, nerve infection, trauma, failed restorative treatment (fillings or crowns), grinding, and gum disease.
If a toothache lasts more than 24 to 48 hours, causes severe pain, or is accompanied by additional symptoms such as swelling, consult a dentist as soon as possible. Severe or long-lasting toothaches are frequently scheduled as emergency appointments because they usually signify an issue that requires quick care.
2. Tooth Decay
Decay occurs when the enamel and dentin of a tooth start to break down due to acid released by bacteria that devour glucose. This happens when the teeth are not adequately cleaned regularly and are exposed to a high-glucose diet.
The most basic technique to avoid tooth decay is to wash your teeth thoroughly twice daily using fluoride toothpaste and floss daily. Regular dental checks will also help discover teeth that do not need to get more attention.
Limiting sugary and starchy foods can also assist in reducing the risk of tooth decay. Cavities are often assumed to be caused by sugar. In actuality, sugar nourishes the germs in our mouths. The bacteria then produce acid as a byproduct, which causes tooth decay.
To avoid long-term consequences, a dentist should address tooth decay as soon as possible.
If left untreated, dental decay can cause
Infections deep within the tooth can cause it to weaken and eventually break, leading to tooth loss.
3. Failed Implant
Dental implants are among the most recent breakthroughs in dentistry. They enable dentists to replace teeth directly down to the root, which no other procedure can achieve.
When properly fitted and cared for, a dental implant can survive for decades. However, there are some reasons that an implant may fail:
Possible causes of implant infection include inadequate dental hygiene, improper placement, insufficient bone volume, trauma, and underlying diseases like diabetes or smoking.
If a competent and knowledgeable dentist places your implant, it will likely succeed independently. The most probable cause is trauma or poor dental hygiene. Brushing and flossing your teeth is always necessary, even with dental implants.
Gingivitis and periodontitis can weaken the implant, causing it to fail; sometimes, a failed implant cannot be replaced.
4. Lost Crown
A dental crown is used to restore a chipped or broken tooth or to conceal a dental implant. These can occasionally get loose and disappear.
There are various reasons why a patient may lose a crown. Physical trauma is the most prevalent. It’s also conceivable that the crown needs to be correctly glued or fit; however, this is relatively uncommon.
Infection, illness, and continued deterioration of the underlying tooth can all result in a lost crown.
If you lose a crown, see your dentist immediately to be evaluated for a replacement.
5. Teeth Grinding
Bruxism, or tooth grinding, is typically a subconscious behaviour. People grind their teeth instinctively when irritated, anxious, excited, or even sleeping.
This causes teeth to wear down, increasing the risk of chipping, cracks, and failed restorative treatments.
Behavioural and lifestyle modifications can assist in reducing grinding during the day. Restful activities like reading a book before bed can help avoid overnight teeth grinding. A personalised mouth guard for nocturnal wear can be constructed to protect the teeth from the damaging effects of grinding.
6. Worn Teeth
Our teeth wear down over time—it’s an unavoidable side effect of using them daily. As medical treatment improves in the general population, people live longer and preserve their natural teeth for longer. Patients with worn-down teeth are becoming increasingly common, especially among older generations.
Teeth grinding (described above) can hasten the natural wear-and-tear process. This can lead to younger patients’ teeth being considerably worn before their time.
Veneers and dental crowns can be used to repair worn teeth. Failure to treat them might lead to tooth damage and trouble chewing.
7. Tooth Sensitivity
A sensitive tooth causes rapid pain in response to temperature changes, such as when eating ice cream or drinking a hot beverage.
Tooth sensitivity usually signals that the enamel is wearing away, exposing the sensitive hard tissues beneath (known as dentin). Special toothpastes are available to assist in blocking the tiny dentinal tubes that cause your teeth to be sharp. Depending on the severity of the problem, your dentist may be able to perform tooth restoration treatment.
Tooth sensitivity, like toothache and tooth decay, may suggest an underlying problem that requires prompt attention from a dentist.
8. Bleeding Gums
Bleeding gums indicate gingivitis, often known as gum disease. As we mentioned in the opening, gum disease is one of the world’s most frequent health conditions; most individuals will experience it at some point.
Gum disease is readily prevented with proper dental hygiene. Brushing and flossing might also help with mild cases.
If left untreated, gum disease can proceed to periodontal disease, when the immune system attacks the bone surrounding a tooth’s root.
This may lead to
Loss of bone volume in the jaw can lead to tooth loss, increased risk of cardiovascular disease, and premature labour.
9. Gum Recession
Receding gums occur when they begin to decrease from their average size, exposing more of the tooth and giving it an extended aspect.
This is frequently associated with gum disease and periodontitis. Gum recession is irreversible; gum grafts are possible but not consistently successful.
10. Bad Breath
Bad breath can stem from either oral or gastrointestinal origins. In the case of oral causes, it’s often linked to infections or diseases such as gum disease, periodontitis, or abscesses.
Maintaining good oral hygiene can help prevent many of these issues. However, seeking professional dental treatment is crucial if decay or infection has already occurred. Once a dentist addresses the underlying problem, lousy breath typically dissipates.
11. Missing Teeth
Teeth can be lost due to various reasons, such as injury or disease, necessitating replacement for several important reasons:
- Enhanced chewing ability.
- Prevent adjacent and opposing teeth from shifting into the space left by the missing tooth.
- Preservation of bone density.
Options to address a missing tooth include partial dentures, dental bridges, or dental implants. For more detailed information on the distinctions between these treatment options, refer to our informative article here.
12. Chipped Tooth
Chipping a tooth, particularly one in the front, is relatively common, often resulting from sports injuries or falls, particularly among children.
Prompt evaluation of chipped or traumatized teeth is crucial. Severe chips may expose sensitive inner tooth tissues, necessitating quick attention. Depending on the location and extent of the chip, dental veneers can restore the tooth’s shape and functionality, providing an effective solution.
13. Crooked Teeth
Crooked or crowded teeth often stem from genetic factors influenced by how adult teeth emerge during adolescence. In some cases, the jaw may not have sufficient space for the proper alignment of all teeth, or an individual tooth might erupt in an abnormal position, impacting neighbouring and opposing teeth.
The severity of crooked teeth can result in teeth grinding and challenges in maintaining oral hygiene. This increases the risk of gum disease, dental decay, and tooth wear over time. Orthodontic interventions like braces or Invisalign are commonly employed to address crooked teeth. In more severe instances, corrective jaw surgery may be required.
14. Stained Teeth
The discolouration of teeth, ranging from yellow to brown or even black, can be alarming for patients.
Teeth often become stained due to various factors, primarily through regular usage, such as consuming coloured foods and drinks. Tea, coffee, red wine, dark chocolate, leafy greens, and berries can accelerate enamel staining over time. Thankfully, professional or at-home teeth-whitening treatments can effectively address this staining.
Yellow teeth are typically a cosmetic concern without posing any significant health risks.
However, in some cases, staining might indicate decay or infection within the tooth. This is particularly concerning when teeth exhibit brown or black discolouration. In such instances, it’s essential to seek evaluation from a dentist to identify and treat the underlying cause.
15. White Spots
White spots on teeth can stem from four primary causes:
- Demineralization occurs when minerals are deficient in the teeth, leading to discolouration.
- Conditions like Turner’s tooth involve enamel quality or thickness deficiencies, often associated with tooth decay.
- Fluorosis arises from excessive fluoride consumption during formative years, resulting in tooth discolouration.
- Orthodontic treatment can contribute to white spots if poor oral hygiene around brackets leads to early-stage tooth decay.
Solutions such as toothpaste containing milk proteins, teeth whitening treatments, fillings, or dental veneers can effectively address white spots that are primarily aesthetic concerns without compromising dental health.
How to Avoid Typical Dental Issues
Some of the issues mentioned earlier may be relatively harmless, while others could lead to serious health complications if not addressed promptly.
However, the majority of these problems can be effectively managed with a simple oral hygiene routine:
- Brush your teeth at least twice a day for two minutes each session.
- Floss between your teeth at least once daily.
- Schedule dental check-ups every 3 to 12 months.
These steps are crucial as most dental issues stem from either infection or decay, which can largely be prevented through consistent brushing and flossing.
Making lifestyle adjustments can also contribute to preventive care:
- Avoiding alcohol and smoking can reduce the risk of infection and decay.
- Limiting the consumption of staining foods like berries, wine, tea, and coffee can help maintain tooth whiteness.
- Wearing a mouthguard during contact sports or grinding teeth can protect against dental trauma.
It’s important to acknowledge that genetics play a role in oral health. For instance, crooked teeth and susceptibility to infection and decay can be influenced by genetic factors. Additionally, our natural mouth shape may predispose us to teeth grinding.
Conclusion
While there are steps we can take to prevent dental issues, some factors may remain beyond our control. This underscores the significance of regular dental visits. Dentists have the expertise to detect potential problems early on, well before they escalate into significant health concerns.
If you’re encountering any of these issues or seeking preventive measures, contact the team at Blyss Dental today to arrange an appointment. Our comprehensive examination and cleaning services and personalized treatment plans aim to restore and maintain your dental well-being effectively.