What Are the Most Common Dental Problems?

Taking proper care of your oral health is crucial to prevent difficulties like a sore mouth, toothache, or a swelled-up jaw. So, you must strictly adhere to the dental hygiene regimen as suggested by your orthodontist. Additionally, consult immediately with a specialist if you are facing severe dental problems to avoid complications down the line.

Irregular brushing or not flossing adequately can lead to your teeth and gum being susceptible to a wide array of problems, including:

1. Cavities

Also referred to as tooth decay, cavities are a widespread oral health issue that individuals from any age group can face. According to the World Health Organisation, almost 100% of the adult population around the globe struggles with this issue. A cavity results primarily when you consume foods high in sugar and starch content. 

Symptoms:  

• Tooth sensitivity.

• Stains on the surface of your tooth.

• Noticeable holes in your teeth.

Risk Factors:

• Your molars and premolars are at a higher risk of decay, as their multiple roots are capable of collecting comparatively more food particles.
• Consuming food products like confectionaries, ice cream or fast foods can cling to your teeth.
• If your teeth do not get a proper supply of fluoride, a natural mineral.

Preventive Measures:

• Avoiding high-sugar foods.
• Regular mouth rinsing.
• Drinking more water.

2. Gum Disease

This is one of the most common dental problems faced by adults around the world. Referred to as Gingivitis in its primary stage, this issue can lead to bleeding gums and pus build-up around the base of your teeth. Remember that gum disease needs to be attended to as soon as possible; otherwise, it can lead to a more serious stage called Periodontitis.

Symptoms:

• You have bad breath.
• A feeling of a bad taste inside the mouth.
• The gums are shrinking.

Risk Factors:

• Smoking or using recreational drugs.
• Not following a proper diet, especially if you have a Vitamin C deficiency.
• Obesity issues.

Preventive Measures:

• Brush your teeth at least twice a day.
• Use fluoride-rich toothpaste.
• Floss every day and use a natural mouthwash.

3. Root Infection

Root infection is one of the most common teeth problems and notably one of the severe ones you may have to deal with. This condition can take place if the bacteria present in your mouth succeed in reaching through to the inner chamber of your teeth, infecting the roots. Over time, these microbes can attack the pulp tissue inside your teeth.

Symptoms:

• Constant toothache that also affects your ear, neck, and jawbone.
• Difficulty in biting or chewing.
• Running a high temperature.

Risk Factors:

• High-sugar diet.
• If you do not floss or brush as suggested by your dentist.
• Dry mouth.

Preventive Measures:

• Visit your endodontist for a root canal.
• Use an antiseptic mouthwash.
• Opt for your dentist-prescribed over-the-counter pain medication.

4. Tooth Sensitivity

As the name suggests, if you struggle with dentin hypersensitivity, your teeth become highly sensitive to both warm and cold. The enamel layer on your teeth thinning out is the primary reason for this dental problem. Without the presence of the enamel, the dentin is exposed and it affects the tubes connected to the nerves deep inside your teeth. Hence, these nerves react when you consume a hot or cold substance.

Symptoms:

• You feel uncomfortable while consuming hot or cold food and beverage.
• A sustained feeling of pain while brushing or flossing.
• Discomfort when breathing in cold air.

Risk Factors:

• A chipped or broken tooth.
• Dental erosion.
• Worn-out crown or dental fillings.

Preventive Measures:

• Do not use abrasive toothpaste.
• Use a soft-bristled toothbrush.
• Avoid harsh scrubbing when you brush.

5. Bad Breath

Having bad breath is also one of the common dental problems. This can be a result of numerous factors like poor oral hygiene, medication, acid reflux, infection, regular smoking etc. Halitosis or bad breath occurs mainly because of the sulphur-producing bacteria that break down the protein that releases odorous volatile sulphur compounds (VSC).

Symptoms:

• White coating on the back of the tongue.
• Bad breath in the morning and a burning sensation on the tongue.
• Continuous sour, bitter and metallic taste.

Risk Factors:

• Build-up around teeth.
• Gum diseases.
• Risk of tartar or plaque.

Preventive Measures:

• Avoid dehydration of the mouth.
• Regularly use a floss.
• Use mouthwashes.

6. Stained Teeth

Stained teeth are a very common oral problem that most people tend to ignore. Anything can stain your teeth, for example, certain foods, medications, regular use of tobacco, ageing, etc. There are three ways to whiten them, a dentist may use a whitening agent and a special light. Another way is to bleach them or use whitening toothpaste or rinses.

Symptoms:

• White or greyish streaks on the tooth.
• Brown spots.
• Blotchy patches.

Risk Factors:

• Accumulation of tartar.
• Plaque.
• Tooth decay.

Preventive Methods:

• Brush with fluoride toothpaste for 2 minutes.
• Use floss once a day.
• Avoid foods with artificial colours.

7. Receding Gums

As you may imply from its name, receding gums means your gums pull back from the root surface. This is a serious oral hygiene problem. Nevertheless, there are many ways to treat this condition. As per experts, early diagnosis and treatment for this dental problem can have lesser consequences and better outcomes.

Symptoms:

• Bleeding from the gums after brushing or flossing.
• Bad breath.
• Visibly shrinking gums.

Risk Factors:

• Medications causing dry mouth.
• Diseases like HIV.
• Hormonal changes, mainly in females.

Preventive Methods:

• Avoid brushing too hard.
• Plaque build-up.
• Reducing tobacco and alcohol consumption.

8. Enamel Erosion

Erosion of enamel mainly occurs if someone consumes a lot of sugary and acidic foods. Although this is a slow process, it can lead to several dental problems. Unfortunately, there is no cure for this condition, but you can make certain lifestyle changes to reduce further erosion.

Symptoms:

• Tooth pain.
• Yellowing of the teeth.
• Small cracks or dents on the teeth' surface.

Risk Factors:

• Teeth discolouration.
• Cracked tooth.
• Sensitivity.

Preventive Methods:

• Maintain a healthy diet.
• Avoid drinking soft drinks or juice.
• Consider stannous fluoride-rich dental hygiene products.

9. Dry Mouth

Anyone can develop this oral condition, but it is more common among elderly people. This mainly causes those who have serious ailments like cancer, gland diseases, nerve damage and diabetes.

Symptoms:

• Stickiness in saliva.
• Difficulty to chew.
• Dry sore throat.

Risk Factors:

• Gum disease.
• Tooth decay.
• Thrush

Preventive Methods:

• Drinking more water.
• Using fluoride-rich toothpaste.
• Consume dairy products to increase saliva production.

10. Teeth Grinding

This phenomenon is known as Bruxism. Often this is seen while people are in their sleep than when they are awake. Those who have sleep disorders, anxiety or stress tend to develop teeth grinding. Dentists may provide you with a custom mouthguard to minimise grinding and also protect your teeth.

Symptoms:

• Neck pain.
• Pain in the jaw.
• Earache.

Risk Factors:

• Tension headaches.
• Damage to teeth.
• Disturbed sleep.

Preventive Methods:

• Try to reduce stress.
• Practise good sleep habits.
• Regular dental check-up.

11. Impacted Teeth

When an adult tooth is unable to come out properly, it is called an impacted or wisdom tooth. This is also a very common phenomenon that occurs when a tooth is stuck against another tooth or bone or soft tissue. Such teeth are only removed when it causes severe pain.

Symptoms:

• Red and swollen gums.
• Unpleasant taste in the mouth.
• Bad breath.

Risk Factors:

• Oral infection.
• Cavities.
• Affect healthy teeth.

Preventive Methods:

• Regular dental appointments may indicate the development of wisdom tooth

12. Crooked Teeth

Crooked teeth in other words are a misalignment of teeth. This is a treatable condition. More than just to get a better smile, dentists suggest treating this condition to align your bite. In addition, it also improves overall dental hygiene. Orthodontists use braces, aligners and retainers to treat this condition

Symptoms:

• Strain in the jaw.
• Chronic headaches.
• temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ).

Risk Factors:

• Difficulty in eating.
• Gum diseases.
• Speech difficulties.

Preventive Methods:

• Maintaining healthy oral habits.
• If a tooth is missing, space management for it.
• In babies, teach them not to suck their fingers.

13. Gap Between Teeth

Not everyone feels this is a dental problem. However, there are people who prefer to have that picture-perfect smile and want to correct it. Those who want to treat this condition need to consult an orthodontist for cosmetic solutions such as veneers or bonding.

Symptoms:

• Bright red gums.
• Loose teeth.
• Receding gums.

Risk Factors:

• Unpleasant smile, leading to loss of self-confidence in some.

Preventive Methods:

• Consult a professional for help.
• Cosmetic surgery.