We love seeing patients with healthy teeth! However, sometimes there are problems or pain that we help patients with, and usually these are caused by common dental problems. It’s important to know about common dental problems so that if you should encounter one, you know to contact your dentist. Today I’ll cover some of the more commonly seen oral health issues and how to avoid them.
An abscessed tooth is an infection at the root of the tooth or between the gum and a tooth. Most commonly this condition is caused by severe tooth decay, although there are other causes such as gingivitis, gum disease, or a broken or cracked tooth. The main symptom of an abscessed tooth is a very painful toothache. Other symptoms of the infection can include fever, swollen neck glands, or an open sore on the side of the gums. There are several ways to solve the problem of an abscessed tooth. The tooth could be extracted or a root canal can be performed to drain the infection and save the tooth. on rare occasions an incision must be made into the gum tissue to allow the infection to drain. Practicing good home care and regular visits to the dentist can help you avoid an abscessed tooth.
A dental problem that we’ve all heard of is cavities. Cavities are caused by long term destructive forces that act on the enamel of the teeth, breaking it down and causing decay. Soda and candy are commonly identified culprits, but even milk left in your mouth without brushing can cause significant damage over time. Bacteria in all our mouths turns into plaque, which works with leftover food to form acids that damage enamel. Just as with a tooth abscess, practicing daily oral hygiene is the best way to keep cavities away.
Gingivitis, or gum disease, is another oral problem caused by prolonged exposure to plaque. Although it is avoidable, it is a major cause of tooth loss in adults. Symptoms of gingivitis include halitosis (bad breath), swollen or bright red/purple gums, bleeding after brushing or flossing, or tender gums. One of the most common ways to treat gingivitis is the removal of the cause, which is plaque. Regular visits to the dentist to employ a treatment plan of therapy to remove the bacteria may be required.
Dentin Hypersensitivity, or sensitive teeth, is a problem that over 45 million Americans suffer from. Hot and cold temperature changes cause your teeth to expand and contract over the course of time. This can cause microscopic cracks that allow the hot and cold sensations to seep deeper into the tooth. This can in turn cause pain or affect someone’s eating and drinking habits. Other causes of sensitive teeth can include gum disease, long term grinding or clenching of teeth, or overzealous brushing. Fortunately, there are several methods to decrease the sensitivity of teeth, including desensitizing toothpastes, sealants, or decreasing the intake of acid containing foods.
These are just a few of the most common dental problems. If you have any type of unusual pain or swelling in your gums, you should contact a dentist to evaluate. It’s better to catch the potential problem early before it may become more painful or difficult to treat. Contact my office to schedule an appointment. Our kind and gentle staff will ensure your concerns are addressed and properly evaluated.