MOST COMMON TYPES OF DENTAL DISEASES TO AVOID AS SOON AS POSSIBLE

Everyone wants healthy gums and teeth for fresh breath and a great smile. But that's not always possible. Dental problems are common in people, and hardly anyone can say they have not encountered any problem in their entire lifetime.

There are millions of bacterial cells in the mouth- some beneficial and some harmful. However, bacteria are the only cause of some of the most common teeth diseases affecting different mouth areas.

Educating oneself about dental problems, their causes and the ways to prevent them can help people to a great extent. On that note, here are a few dental problems and solutions:

Tooth Decay

Also known as dental cavities or dental caries, this is one of the most common dental problems practically every individual experiences at some point in life. It occurs when oral bacteria form a film, known as plaque, on the teeth' surface.

Bacteria make acids from food glucose. First, these acids damage the teeth' enamel or the exterior part of the tooth entirely. Then the acids start damaging the softer dentin layer under the enamel, slowly leading to complete tooth breakdown.

This can further lead to holes or cavities in the teeth, causing toothaches, accompanied by pain when a person eats or drinks something sweet, hot or cold. Common signs of tooth decay include:

• Brown or black spots on the teeth
• Bad breath
• Unpleasant taste in the mouth

Treatments for the condition include root canal therapy, crowns and fillings. Tooth extraction is also a chosen treatment option, followed by dental dentures or implants. It is easy to prevent tooth decay by brushing and flossing the teeth twice daily. However, regular check-ups are also needed to scrape off plaque from the teeth.

Gum Disease

Gum disease or periodontal disease, or gingivitis, is also one of the major teeth diseases caused by plaque buildup. Signs of the condition include red and swollen gums or gums that bleed easily. Sensitive teeth and bad breath are also common symptoms of this condition.

Bad or crooked teeth that are difficult to brush, skipping the regular brushing chore, and poor brushing methods can lead to gum disease. Other factors that can cause such issues are diabetes, pregnancy and tobacco use.

Since gingivitis is painless, it goes unnoticed. Therefore, visit a dentist regularly to avoid one of the most common dental diseases.

A professional dental cleaning can treat the condition effectively. Practicing brushing and flushing two times a day regularly can help prevent the problem.

Periodontitis

Untreated gingivitis can fast become a more serious gum disease known as periodontitis. Such teeth problems appear when the gums' pockets become fully infected and damage the teeth' tissues and bones, making them infected too.

Periodontitis can also cause:

• Change in bites
• Receding or shrinking gums
• Bad breath
• Unpleasant taste in the mouth
• Loss of permanent teeth

It is also one of those dental diseases that do not just impact the mouth but the entire body by triggering an inflammatory response throughout the body.

Preventative care for the condition involves using topical antibiotics and seeing a gum disease specialist or periodontist.

Bad Breath

One of the common and distressing teeth diseases is bad breath or Halitosis, caused by several factors like:

• Dry mouth
• Poor dental hygiene
• Infection
• Medicines
• Cancer
• Acid reflux

An individual's foods can also cause Halitosis, especially spices like onions and garlic. Since the causes of this dental issue are varied, a dentist will do a complete mouth assessment and then prescribe the required course of action to do away with the problem.

Sensitive Teeth

Many complain that their teeth are sensitive to cold and hot foods and drinks. Teeth problems, like sensitive teeth, affect people when the teeth enamel wears away and the dentin is fully exposed.

The dentin features tubes leading to the nerves deep within the tooth. When cold or hot foods and drinks travel through these tubes to the nerves, they cause a lot of pain.

The condition is also called dentin hypersensitivity, and tooth decay is one of the major causes of this problem. Other potential causes include:

• Root infection
• Gum disease
• Enamel erosion
• Worn-down fillings or crown
• Broken or cracked tooth
• Receding gums

The naturally thin enamel layer of the teeth is also one of the most common causes of tooth sensitivity.

Different mouthwashes and toothpaste specifically meant for sensitive teeth are effective treatment options for the condition. Besides these, dentists also recommend fluoride treatment, gum graft, root canal therapy and crown for this condition, just like the other dental problems. Chosen treatment option will depend on the severity of the condition.

Broken or Cracked Teeth

Major causes of broken or cracked teeth include:

• Chewing hard foods
• Injury
• Grinding teeth while sleeping
• Mouth piercings

It causes intense pain and discomfort, depending on the extent of the damage. Any bad tooth chip or crack requires proper dental examination and treatment, and this should be done as soon as possible because the problem can worsen if left untreated. Tooth-coloured filling, crown and veneer are common fixes for this problem.

Receding Gums

This problem is caused by a major tooth sensitivity disease and can lead to other common dental problems like a complete loss of a tooth. Receding gums expose the delicate tooth root making it susceptible to damage. Different factors leading to this condition include:

• Brushing the teeth too hard
• Poor dental hygiene
• Smoking
• High blood pressure
• Hormonal changes in women
• Genetics

Again, professional flossing and teeth cleaning are the best courses of treatment for this condition. More serious cases of receding gums are treated with surgery and gum graft.

Root Infection

The root or base of the tooth gets swollen and infected due to bacteria. Common causes of this problem include fractures, cracks and cavities in the tooth. In addition, such teeth diseases lead to damaged nerves and tissues of the tooth, eventually causing abscesses.

Persistent and long-lasting, an intense toothache is the most common symptom of this condition. It makes biting and chewing painful for a person, and the part of the mouth affected becomes sensitive to cold or hot foods and drinks. Even the area of the face around root infection can sometimes become swollen.

Root canal therapy or RCT is its best, safe, and non-painful treatment for this problem, where the dentists do not remove the infected or damaged teeth; instead, they try to save and repair that. They use anaesthetics during the 3-stage process so that the patient does not feel any sensation.

Conclusion

So, these are the common dental problems and solutions,  though other issues can also impact a person's dental health. Therefore, regular dental check-ups must identify and treat different dental issues. People who have not had a recent dentist's appointment do it now to reduce and avoid the impact of various dental problems.

Alternatively, for self-help and general health guidance, visit Wellness Forever. This popular online medical pharmacy in India boasts a huge stock of genuine, top-quality, reliable health products and mineral and vitamin supplements that can keep the teeth healthy.