Common dental problems are of much concern to most people, and they often experience such problems in their lives. People do suffer from gingivitis or gum disease, and dental pain is indeed difficult to tolerate.
Several of these dental issues are simple to treat but are even easier to prevent. Few of them are benign and also purely cosmetic, while others can indeed have serious health implications if not well treated.
Causes of Common Dental Problems
1. Toothache
A toothache, similar to other kinds of pain, is one’s body’s way of telling that there is something wrong. It can be mild and also temporary, or it can also be severe, long-lasting, and also debilitating.
A toothache can be due to:
- Cavities
- Trauma to one’s tooth
- Infection of the nerve
- Failed restorative treatment (fillings, crown)
- Teeth grinding
- Gum disease.
If a toothache lasts longer than 24 to 48 hours, is causing extreme pain, or is occurring in conjunction with other symptoms like swelling, then it is better to consult a dentist as quickly as possible. Severe or long-lasting toothaches are indeed often scheduled as emergency appointments, as they typically indicate a problem that does require immediate attention.
2. Tooth Decay
Common dental problems, which include decay, occur when the enamel and/ or dentin of one’s tooth begin to break down on account of the release of acid by bacteria that consume glucose. This will rather occur if one’s teeth are not properly cleaned regularly and/ or are even exposed to a diet high in glucose.
In order to prevent tooth decay, brushing the teeth thoroughly at least twice a day with fluoridated toothpaste and floss daily is required. Regular checkups by the dentist will also indeed help identify any sort of teeth that are not getting sufficient attention.
If left untreated, tooth decay can lead to:
- Infections deep within one’s tooth.
- Weakening of the tooth to the point it does break and/ or.
- Eventual loss of one’s tooth.
3. Failed Implant
Dental implants are a modern dentistry approach. They do allow dentists to replace teeth right down, of course, to one’s root. Properly installed and also cared for, a dental implant will indeed last several decades.
Why can an implant fail?
- infection due to poor oral hygiene.
- poor positioning of, no doubt, the original implant.
- insufficient bone volume in one’s jaw,
- trauma, and/ or
- underlying or systemic conditions, like diabetes or smoking
4. Lost Crown
A dental crown is used to repair a chipped or broken tooth or to cover a dental implant. These can come loose and also go missing.
There are indeed several reasons a patient might rather lose a crown. Physical trauma is often the cause. It is also possible the crown was not properly cemented into place or was not, in fact, really a proper fit, but this is incredibly uncommon.
Infection, disease, and the continuing deterioration of the underlying tooth can also, in fact, result in a lost crown.
If a person loses a crown, return to the dentist immediately for an evaluation for a replacement.
5. Teeth Grinding
Bruxism, or teeth grinding, is considered to be a subconscious behavior. People typically tend to grind their teeth subconsciously when stressed, anxious, excited, or perhaps even while sleeping.
This causes worn-out teeth, increasing the risk of chips as well as cracks and failed restorative treatments.
Behavioral and lifestyle changes can rather help alleviate grinding during the day. Restful activities, like reading a book before bed, can prevent nighttime teeth grinding. A custom mouth guard for nighttime use can indeed protect teeth from grinding issues.
Lifestyle changes help prevent dental issues like:
- Alcohol and smoking can cause infections and decay.
- Foods such as berries, wine, tea, and coffee can stain teeth.
- Sports cause trauma to teeth, so wearing a mouth guard during contact sports and/or grinding one’s teeth is important.
Conclusion
It is important to see the dentist regularly to avoid serious dental problems.