In the present day world, one thing that people are seriously devoid of is time for small yet important things. A popular instance is our tooth itself. They are most of the time overlooked yet one of the most crucial things in our entire body.
They are relentless in their hard work, for example, biting, chewing, tearing, chatting, and smiling away. So, isn’t this our duty to respect what they do for us and take good care of them? However, no matter how hard we try, dental problems might always emerge. But don’t worry, that’s very normal.
Our mouths, and the tools within them, are technically living things. Nevertheless, you should always be on the lookout for indicators that something is amiss with your teeth and make an appointment with your local dentist to have them examined. As a result, today we’ll take a look at some of the most frequent dental disorders, how to recognize them, and how to treat them.
Tooth Decay
The most prevalent issue that dentists will address is tooth decay. Unless they maintain perfect dental hygiene, it happens to everyone at least once in their lives. A dental cavity is another name for tooth rot. It occurs as a result of plaque build-up on the teeth. Sugars in plaque are eventually converted to acids, which eat away at the enamel, causing holes to appear on the tooth.
If you have tooth decay, you will most likely experience pain when eating and drinking sweet, hot, or cold foods. You may also experience foul breath and notice black/brown stains on your teeth. There could also be a bad taste in your mouth. If you keep the cavity untreated, you risk developing an infection later on.
Unfortunately, once your tooth has decayed, there is no way to regenerate it. The only option is to go to the dentist. They will eliminate the cavity and replace it with a filling.
Brush your teeth twice a day to avoid tooth decay from occurring again. Flossing is also important for preventing plaque buildup between your teeth. Dentist visits are also required on a regular basis. Sugary meals should be avoided as well.
Stained teeth
Healthy teeth have a natural translucent white colour, however, they can get stained owing to a variety of factors including diet, tobacco, medications, and trauma. In order to maintain that pearly white shine in your teeth, it is highly recommended to discontinue smoking and avoid certain acidic foods.
Whitening agents, bleaching teeth at home with a dental whitening tray or gel, or using whitening toothpaste and whitening mouth rinses can also help to get rid of stained teeth.
Gum Diseases
Gingivitis is a minor type of gum or periodontal disease in its early stages. It’s a bacterial illness brought on by plaque accumulation. Gums that are reddish, puffy, and bleed readily are common symptoms.
Bad breath and sensitive teeth that ache when chewing are other possible side effects. Gum disease can be exacerbated by skipping brushing and using ineffective brushing techniques. Crooked teeth that are difficult to clean properly might also be a problem. Tobacco usage, pregnancy, and diabetes are all risk factors.
It’s crucial to keep in mind that gingivitis can be painless, so you might not realize it. Regular dental examinations are therefore recommended. Gingivitis can be cured with professional teeth cleaning from your dentist. Brushing and flossing twice a day will help keep it from returning.
Gingivitis can progress to periodontitis, a more serious type of gum disease if left untreated. When pockets in the gums get infected, this is what happens. This can cause harm to the bone and tissue that support the teeth in place since these get infected as well.
It can also cause gums to
• Shrink and recede.
• Permanent teeth become loose
• A shift in the bite
• Bad taste in your mouth.
• Bad breath that doesn’t go away
Periodontitis can also cause an inflammatory reaction throughout the body. Topical antibiotics to combat the infection or a recommendation to a periodontist, a gum disease expert, are among the dental treatments for periodontitis.
Bad Breath
Bad breath is the most miserable thing that you have. Unfortunately, foul breath, commonly known as halitosis, is a prevalent oral issue that affects people of all ages. However, as normal as this may seem, it’s frequently an indication of additional dental issues.
According to studies, around 85 percent of persons with foul breath have another tooth issue to blame. Gum disease, cavities, and oral cancer are all prominent causes of bad breath. But don’t be concerned! If you have terrible breath, it does not always signal you have a major dental condition.
It might be related to the foods you’ve been eating. Garlic, onions, sweets, and liquor are just a few examples of foods that might induce foul breath.
Some spices leave an odour on your breath as well. For example, you’ve been eating a lot of garlic-heavy dishes. The strong garlic odour will ultimately adhere to the inner surfaces of your mouth and will be difficult to eliminate with only one or two brushes. Cumin is in the same boat.
Brushing after each meal helps to minimise bad breath as well as other oral issues. If you can’t brush immediately away, bring a little bottle of mouthwash with you. At the very least, gargle with fresh water each time you eat. If the odour persists, see your dentist to rule out any other significant dental diseases.
Tooth Sensitivity
When the enamel wears away and the dentin is exposed, your teeth grow sensitive to hot and cold meals and drinks. The dentin contains tubes that connect to the nerve, which is located deeper within the tooth. The passage of hot or cold substances via the tubes to the nerve can produce excruciating pain. Tooth decay can cause tooth sensitivity, commonly known as dentin hypersensitivity.
Other factors to consider are:
• Gum Infections
• A chipped or damaged tooth
• Crowns or fillings that have worn down
• Erosion of the enamel
• Receding gums
Since the enamel layer of your teeth is naturally thin, you may have sensitive teeth. There are kinds of toothpaste and mouthwashes particularly designed for those who have sensitive teeth. A fluoride treatment, crown, gum graft, or root canal may be recommended by your dentist. The therapy you receive is determined by the severity of your condition.
Chipped tooth
The most common sort of dental damage is a chipped tooth. Simple actions like chewing kernels or cracking walnuts, for example, can easily break your teeth. Fillings, porcelain crowns, and other procedures will be used by the dentist to restore the contour of the teeth.
Cracked Tooth
Teeth crack from time to time for no apparent reason. The dentist will explore treatments based on the state of the tooth. In most circumstances, dental crowns are suggested to avoid deep and wide fractures. The scenario becomes more difficult if you have teeth that are temperature sensitive.
If the break reaches the gum line, the dentist may recommend root canal therapy and the placement of porcelain crowns. You might require a tooth extraction if you have a severe crack. Dental fillings might raise the likelihood of a fracture.
Dry Mouth
Dry mouth, also known as xerostomia, is simply what it is named. Saliva glands are unable to produce enough saliva to keep the interior of the mouth wet under this condition.
Saliva contains antibacterial components that help keep plaque away from the surface of the teeth. It can be caused by a variety of factors, including smoking, prescription medicine, age, or stress.
People who are taking medicine or undergoing chemotherapy are at a higher risk of developing dry mouth. The aged people mostly face this condition. When there isn’t enough moisture in the mouth, plaque builds up, cavities form, and tooth decay develops.
Receding gums
Receding gums can happen and contribute to a variety of different dental issues. More significant problems, like tooth loss, might arise as a result of the disease. This is since the condition exposes the tooth’s sensitive root, rendering it vulnerable to harm.
Gum recession can be caused by a number of things, including:
• Oral hygiene issues
• Brushing vigorously
• High blood pressure
• Women’s hormonal fluctuations
• Tobacco
Root Infection
Bacteria can cause the base or root of your tooth to become inflamed and swollen. Cavities, fissures, and fractures in the tooth are the most common causes of this.
Root infection can cause harm to the tooth’s tissues and nerves, as well as the formation of abscesses. One definite indicator of root infection is a chronic excruciating toothache.
Chewing and biting will be painful, and the area of your mouth affected by the infection will be extremely sensitive to hot and cold foods and beverages. The region of the face around the infection might become enlarged in some circumstances.
A root canal is used to treat a root infection. And, while many of us shudder at the prospect of having a root canal, the treatment is highly safe and painless since dentists utilise anaesthesia throughout the operation.
Erosion of the Enamel
Enamel erosion is a slow-moving disorder that causes teeth to become discoloured and rounded. Consumption of sugary and acidic foods such as soda and sweets over a lengthy period is the major reason. Brushing your teeth too hard, too long, and too often is an uncommon reason.
Enamel erosion causes teeth to become very sensitive, weak, and prone to fractures, chipping and cupping. On teeth that have had enamel erosion, the missing enamel cannot be replaced.
Cutting back on sugary and acidic meals, on the other hand, can help to prevent additional enamel degradation. Brushes with softer bristles are also beneficial. Dental veneers can also significantly improve the look of your teeth.
Crowded teeth
An adult’s tooth count ranges from 28 to 32. Hyperdontia, or having additional teeth, occurs in a small percentage of persons. People with it may also have a disease like cleft palate or Gardner’s syndrome (tumors formation but not cancer). Tooth extraction and orthodontics are used to cure this disease and restore attractiveness.
Crooked teeth
Orthodontics, sometimes known as braces, isn’t only for kids. If you have a dental problem, you can still obtain it. Aligning and straightening teeth not only gives you a more attractive smile, but it also helps you improve your oral health in general and reduce symptoms like jaw discomfort in specific.
Teeth grinding
When you grind your teeth, it’s known as bruxism. Grinding happens most commonly when you’re sleeping, although it can also happen when you’re awake. It has the potential to harm your teeth, induce jaw discomfort, and even cause migraines and earaches. Grinding can be caused by a variety of dental issues.
These are some of them:
• A crown or filling that is higher than the rest of your teeth
• An unusual bite
When people have a sleep issue, are agitated, or are anxious, they may have bruxism. The treatment of these underlying disorders may be able to reduce or eliminate your grinding.
Wisdom teeth
The majority of people have wisdom teeth that have been impacted. Wisdom teeth may readily impact neighbouring teeth, causing dental decay, damage to other teeth and gum disease if remains unaddressed. Wisdom teeth normally come between the ages of eighteen and twenty-five. As a result, if the dentist discovers any issues, your wisdom teeth will need to be extracted.