By brushing your teeth twice a day, flossing daily, maintaining a healthy diet, and visiting the dentist on a regular basis, the majority of common dental issues can be avoided. Educating yourself about common dental problems and their causes could also go a long way.
Below, we will learn about the 10 most common dental problems, plus how they are prevented and treated:
1. Bad Breath
Bad breath, also known as halitosis, can be embarrassing. The many common causes of bad breath could be:
- Cavities
- Gum disease
- Oral cancer
- Dry mouth
- Bacteria
Mouthwash only covers up the unpleasant odor these issues produce. Visit a dentist near you to find out the cause of your persistent bad breath.
2. Tooth Decay
Cavities, or tooth decay, are the most common dental problem. They occur when plaque combines with the sugar and starches in the food you eat. In turn, the mixture creates acids that attack tooth enamel. You can get cavities at any age. Both normal enamel erosion and aging can contribute to them. So, can dry mouth be due to age, illness, or medications.
Brushing and flossing properly on a daily basis, as well as regular dental checkups, may be beneficial.
3. Periodontal Disease
Gingivitis, an inflammation of the gums, is the first stage of periodontal disease, which develops over time into periodontitis, a severe infection of the gums. With the help of a dentist in Edmonton, you can get a form of treatment called periodontal therapy.
In order to keep the gum pocket free of infection in the future, deep cleaning sessions must be performed frequently in addition to the removal of bacteria and damaged gum tissue.
4. Oral Infections
Oral infections of any kind should be treated urgently, as they are very serious. The two most common types of infections are abscessed teeth and gum infections attributed to periodontal disease. The majority of the time, patients report additional symptoms like swelling and fever in addition to how painful they usually are.
Thus, it is important to reach out to the dentist or treat the infection with antibiotics.
5. Bruxism
Teeth grinding can indicate a physical issue, such as a misaligned bite, or a behavioral problem. In some cases, it may even be a combination of both. Either way, bruxism is harmful and can lead to permanent tooth loss or damage.
Reach out to a dentist to secure your teeth and get the proper treatment you need.
6. Impacted Wisdom Teeth
This can be painful and problematic. Wisdom teeth should be removed before they cause a problem if they are crooked or impacted under the gums. If these wisdom teeth are not removed, it may result in painful and uncomfortable pressure in the back of the mouth. Wisdom teeth can further crowd molars as they erupt and affect the alignment of the teeth.
7. Missing Teeth
If you recently had tooth extractions in Edmonton, your dentist will make certain that no gap is left.
Missing teeth can lead to jawbone deterioration and shifting of the neighboring teeth surrounding the gap. Both of these spell trouble and will eventually lead to problems. It is better to replace the gap with dental implants, implant-supported dentures, and more.
8. Toothache or Sensitivity
Tooth pain could be caused by a cavity, broken teeth, or thinning enamel. Even a mild toothache warrants a trip to the dentist. When drinking cold or hot beverages, sensitivity should not be ignored. Reach out to the dentist; they will provide proper solutions, such as filling a cavity.
9. Crooked Teeth
Chipped teeth can occur from injury, damaged enamel, or bruxism. An inlay, onlay, or dental bonding can be used to repair superficial chips and reshape or fill in the enamel gaps. Deep chips or cracks may require a more protective repair, such as a dental crown. If a tooth is too badly damaged to be saved, extraction and a prosthetic tooth may be the only options left.
10. Discolored Teeth
If your teeth are permanently stained or discolored, you can choose cosmetic dentistry in Edmonton to help. It is both functional and meets dental care requirements, including tooth color change.
Have questions about your dental health? Our staff is here to assist you however we can. Call or come in and visit us today.