Dental problems are quite common, but they’re never fun. While it may seem like it only affects a very small area of your body, it can lead to serious discomfort and detrimental effects. There are many ways that you can prevent dental problems from happening, and one of these is to begin by getting a thorough check from your dentist.
First off, going to a dentist is important so you’ll know how to take good care of your teeth. This can be as simple as brushing your teeth at least twice daily and then flossing your teeth. But a regular check is also an essential part of having a proactive approach to preventing dental problems. At the very least, when these happen, you can rest assured in the fact that the problems are identified at an early phase and can be solved immediately through various treatment forms, one of which could be a tooth extraction by Grove City Dental.
Remember that dental problems are never pleasant to go through. It can hurt your self-esteem when you aren’t confident with your smile and the condition of your teeth. Plus, there are also some dental problems that can further lead to other health issues.
That said, this article gives you insights into some of the most common dental problems, and what you can do about them.
1. Bad Breath
Here’s the first dental problem that can, undoubtedly, leave you feeling so conscious! Eek for bad breath! When you know your breath smells bad, it can disrupt your confidence in dealing with others. It’s downright embarrassing.
Sometimes, bad breath can be just a temporary thing. Either it’s from something you’ve eaten during the day, you’re dehydrated, or it’s been a few hours since you’ve last brushed your teeth. Those instances shouldn’t be any cause for concern.
But, if your bad breath is persistent, then you definitely have to talk to your dentist about it. Typically, your dentist will tell you to religiously practice the following:
- Brush your teeth after every meal, and this includes snacks, for instance. If you eat at work, then keep a toothbrush in your workplace.
- Brush or scrape your tongue, as residue can also get stuck in it. Who knows, there might’ve been residue building up in your tongue’s taste buds, and this would smell. Your dentist might give you a tongue scraper to purchase.
- Go for a thorough dental check, to ensure that your bad breath isn’t caused by any more severe underlying dental problems.
2. Mouth Sores And Ulcers
Your dentist can do more for you than just make your pearly whites look nice. They’re also responsible for ensuring that your gum and mouth health are in their best condition.
One of the most identifiable mouth problems and oral health conditions is mouth sores and ulcers. These generally heal within a week, but if they don’t then that’s a sign that you need medication and treatment from your dentist.
A mouth ulcer or sore happens when there’s a loss or erosion in the delicate lining tissue of the mouth. These are generally harmless, but it doesn’t hurt to see your dentist, so they can give you pieces of advice like the following:
- Avoiding spicy and sour food until the mouth ulcers heal,
- Prescription of immunosuppressant medication,
- Drinking plenty of water,
- Using a topical alcohol-free steroid mouthwash or ointment,
- Keeping your mouth clean.
3. Tooth Decay
Tooth decay is also classed as cavities in your teeth. Not only are these unsightly, but in some cases, they can also be very uncomfortable and unpleasant.
Tooth decay happens when plaque sticks on the teeth, combined with the starches or sugar from food. This is precisely why brushing after every meal is necessary. When you don’t, acid forms and stays on the teeth, which eventually attacks your healthy teeth.
If you’re reading this as an adult, you ought to know that you aren’t exempted from having tooth decays. While children are the most susceptible to it because of their high sugar intake, this doesn’t mean that you can’t have it too.
If you feel a pressing pain that doesn’t seem to go away, then that’s a telling sign that you may have tooth decay. Typically, your dentist will give you the following tips as part of your treatment:
- Being very strict about brushing with fluoride toothpaste after every meal,
- Rinsing your mouth with a wash that contains significant levels of fluoride,
- Avoiding frequent and unnecessary snacking or sipping of sugary beverages.
4. Bleeding Or Swelling Gums
After you brush or floss, it’s not normal if your gums bleed and are regularly swollen. If this is the case, then you’ll need to consult with a dentist. Remember that this shouldn’t be neglected, given the paramount purpose of your gums. Typically, you can also determine this when your gums start to appear more reddish than the usual pinkish color.
Your dentist will check if your bleeding or swelling gums are caused by the following diseases:
- Gingivitis, which causes your gums to become swollen and irritated;
- Pregnancy, in which case your dentist will also prescribe you with medication or remedies that are safe for expectant mothers;
- Infection, usually caused by viruses or fungi that may have built up in your mouth.
Here are some of the best things you can do to put a stop to your bleeding and swollen gums:
- Practicing good oral hygiene,
- Letting go of bad smoking habits,
- Reducing your stress levels,
- Increasing your intake of Vitamin K,
- Eating fewer carbs.
5. Gum (Periodontal) Disease Or Periodontitis
Gum disease happens when there’s an infection in your gums surrounding the teeth. This can be a serious oral health problem, given that it can be the root cause of tooth loss in adults.
Generally, everyone has the risk of developing gum disease, even children. But the risk is significantly higher when you’ve gone beyond 30 years old. Smoking is one of the main factors that can increase your risk of getting one.
If you have any signs of gum disease, it’s very important that you visit your dentist immediately for proper treatment. Some of the symptoms include:
- An inflammatory response throughout your body,
- Bleeding gums when you brush your teeth or floss,
- Foul taste in your mouth,
- Bad breath,
- Tooth loss.
If you suffer from periodontitis, these are some of the most common treatment forms that’ll be prescribed to you:
- Practicing good oral hygiene, such as using an electric toothbrush, which can be more effective;
- Professional cleaning by your dentist to remove any buildup of plaque and tartar right from the roots;
- Prescription of antibiotics if the gum disease has developed into a serious infection.
In its advanced stages, your dentist may prescribe the following surgical procedures:
- Tissue-stimulating proteins. This is usually in the form of a gel that’s applied to the root of your teeth. The proteins in this gel can help stimulate the growth of healthy teeth.
- Flap surgery. This is also known as pocket reduction surgery. In this procedure, your dentist is going to make small incisions so that a small section of your gum can be lifted back. That way, the roots of your teeth are exposed. This will enable the dentist to perform a more effective scaling of the teeth and gums.
- Guided tissue regeneration. In this procedure, the bone or tooth that was destroyed by the infection is going to be guided through for regrowth. Here, the dentist is going to place a special piece of biocompatible fabric between the tooth and the bone. This will help prevent any unwanted tissue from entering the healing area.
6. Sudden Sensitivity To Cold And Hot Beverages
Teeth are usually able to withstand hot and cold beverages. But, if you suddenly feel that your teeth are sensitive to cold, then it’s important to treat the problem from the core.
Here’s what you can do about it:
- Use a desensitizing toothpaste, as this contains compounds that help protect the nerve endings from any irritants. The most active ingredient in this kind of toothpaste is potassium nitrate, which blocks the pain signals that travel from your tooth’s nerve to the brain.
- Apply hydrogen peroxide. This is a common antiseptic and disinfectant, but it’s also mild enough to use in your tooth and gum area. Just be sure to mix hydrogen peroxide with equal parts of warm water, so it can sit safely for 30 seconds in your mouth.
- Turmeric. This is a very common cooking ingredient, but it can also be used as an anti-inflammatory treatment. This is because of the compound known as curcumin, which is effective and known for its anti-inflammatory effects.
- Capsaicin. This is found on chili peppers and other peppers. It has strong analgesic properties that can also be effective at treating burning mouth syndrome by reducing pain and inflammation.
Conclusion
With this list, you’re now educated on the possible issues that may come out of your teeth and gums. Tooth pain and decay aren’t the only possible problems. If you aren’t careful enough, what could’ve been small issues can easily escalate into more serious problems in the future. So, remember to never self-medicate. Whenever you feel you’re going through any one of the dental problems enumerated above, make it a point to see a dentist immediately. That way, you can be sure that you’re receiving the best possible treatment and care for any dental problem you may experience.