Healthy teeth and gums require good dental hygiene and regular dental checkups. Many oral health conditions and dental problems can result from poor oral hygiene.

This article will cover the most common dental problems, their treatment options, and how you can prevent them to enjoy good oral health.

Sensitive teeth will cause sudden sharp pain while being exposed to cold or hot foods, sweet or sour foods, or even cold air. Tooth sensitivity is one of the most common dental problems and results from various reasons.

Causes

If you have been experiencing sensitive teeth lately, one of the following factors may be the underlying reason.

• Vigorous tooth brushing
• Tooth erosion (caused by consuming too many acidic foods, teeth grinding, etc.)
• Tooth decay
• Dental cavities (dental caries)
• Tooth abscess
• Chipped tooth
• Cracked teeth
• Tooth infection
• Gum disease
• Receding gums

Dental Treatment

Sensitive teeth should not be left untreated because it can lead to other oral health problems. Your Brisbane Dentist may decide to treat tooth sensitivity with fluoride gel, applying dental veneers, root canal therapy, or surgical gum graft based on the severity of the condition and its underlying reason.

Need more information? Teeth sensitivity

Enamel is a thin outer covering that has covered the surface of our teeth and acts as a protective layer against injuries and harmful acids from acidic foods or drinks.

Causes

Tooth erosion occurs when your tooth enamel wears away due to various reasons, including brushing with too much force, using hard-bristled toothbrushes, having lots of acidic foods and drinks, bruxism, dry mouth, and GERD (acid reflux).

It’s a common dental problem and can affect anyone at any age. Enamel erosion requires dental care because it can lead to tooth decay, sensitivity, cracked or broken teeth, or discolored teeth.

Treatment

You can try the following to prevent further enamel erosion and improve your dental health:

• Limit your intake of acidic and sugary foods and drinks
• Brush your teeth with soft-bristled toothbrushes
• Make sure you brush your teeth with fluoride toothpaste
• Your dentist may recommend using dental veneers, crowns, or dental bonding

The best way to prevent or treat dental problems at their early stages is through good oral hygiene practices and regular dental checkups.

The American Dental Association recommends scheduling dental visits every six months to ensure dental health.

Tooth decay is perhaps one of the most common dental problems but is typically preventable with proper oral hygiene.

Causes

Dental plaque is a sticky film of bacteria and can be the main culprit of dental decay. Dental Plaque forms on the surfaces of your teeth when oral bacteria mix with sugary and starchy foods and beverages you have. This destructive combination produces acids and can attack your enamel.

Plaque can grow on the surface of the teeth, above or below your gum line, and must be removed regularly.

Tooth decay occurs as a result of poor oral hygiene and plaque buildup. Plaque buildup can seriously damage your teeth and gums and lead to other oral health problems like dental caries or gum disease.

Experiencing bad breath, noticing black or brown spots on your teeth, sensitive teeth, and toothache are among the common symptoms of tooth decay.

Treatment

People can prevent tooth decay by following a proper oral hygiene routine at home and scheduling regular dental visits with their dentist. Tooth decay may advance into dental caries (cavities) and put your oral health at risk.

Fluoride treatment, dental fillings, and root canals are among the most common treatment options for tooth decay. As a last resort, the dentist may have to perform a tooth extraction.

Gum disease or periodontal disease is typically a result of poor oral hygiene and plaque accumulation on and around the teeth and gums. Gum disease is a serious gum infection, that causes the gums to get swollen, red, tender, or painful.

Periodontal disease has two stages: gingivitis and periodontitis.

Periodontitis is advanced gum disease and if left untreated can lead to receding gums and tooth loss.

Need more information? Gum Disease

Symptoms

Common symptoms of gum disease:

• Swollen gums
• Bleeding gums
• Chronic bad breath
• Loose teeth

Causes

Smoking, hormonal change, poor oral health, excessive plaque buildup, crooked teeth, and diabetes are considered risk factors for gum disease.

According to some research, gum disease may increase the risk of developing heart disease.

Treatment

The best treatment option will be determined based on the stage and severity of the condition.

• Scaling and root planing
• Flap surgery
• Bone grafting
• Soft tissue graft
• Guided tissue regeneration

After a tooth is extracted, a blood clot will form at the extraction site. A Dry socket is a painful condition that occurs if the blood clot is lost or does not form. A dry socket causes the underlying bone and nerves to be exposed to bacteria and increase the risk of infection.

Causes

Some people have an increased risk of developing a dry socket.

• Drinking through a straw
• Poor dental hygiene
• Smoking
• Contraceptive pills
• History of dry socket
• Complications during tooth extraction

Treatment

A dry socket will typically go away on its own and will not pose any serious problems for the person.

The dental professional may decide to clean the site with a saline solution to get rid of bacteria or food particles stuck in the site.

He may also place some medicated gauze on the site to manage your pain.

Need more information? Dry Socket

Your tooth may chip or break due to several reasons like trauma, large fillings, teeth grinding, biting on hard foods, and bad habits like biting nails or chewing ice.

Based on the type and severity of the crack, dentists can fix cracked or chipped teeth with dental crowns, veneers, bonding, root canal therapy, or in severe cases, tooth removal.

Bad breath, aka halitosis, is one of the most common dental problems that can negatively impact a person’s self-esteem.

Causes

Several factors can cause a person to experience bad breath, including:

• Inadequate dental hygiene
• Smoking and chewing tobacco
• Gum disease
• Certain foods
• Some health conditions
• Dry mouth

Treatment

There are things you can do to treat or prevent bad breath:

• Keep your mouth hydrated
• Avoid smoking
• Practice proper dental hygiene
• Rinse your mouth with alcohol-free mouthwash
• Visit your dentist regularly

Need more information? Bad Breath

Mouth sores which are also known as mouth ulcers or canker sores are common and painful, but will not typically indicate a serious problem in the oral cavity.

Causes

You may experience mouth ulcers on your lips, tongues, and gums. Injury, shart teeth, infection, and oral cancers may be the underlying cause of mouth ulcers.

Treatment

A mouth sore will usually go away on its own and does not require treatment. However, if it does not heal on its own after two weeks, you should visit your dentist.

Based on the cause of mouth ulcers, the dentist may prescribe certain tablets, mouthwashes, painkillers, or steroid gel.

Oral cancer is a dangerous dental problem but is treatable if diagnosed and addressed early.

Recurrent sores and lumps that will not go away, difficulty moving your tongue, red or white patches and painful swallowing may be symptoms of oral cancer.

Causes

Smoking or chewing tobacco, excessive alcohol use, poor dental hygiene, and HPV (human papillomavirus) are considered risk factors for oral cancer.

Treatment

The grade of cancer, the size and location of cancer in the mouth, and the patient’s overall health will affect the type of treatment for oral cancer.

Treatments involve:

• Chemotherapy
• Surgery
• Radiation therapy

Wisdom teeth or third molars may sometimes become hidden beneath the gums or impacted and cause pain and discomfort for the person.

Bad breath and unpleasant taste in the mouth, swollen gums, jaw pain, or trouble opening the mouth are common symptoms.

The condition is fairly common and requires dental care; otherwise, it may damage the neighboring teeth, or lead to tooth decay or gum disease.

Causes

If your jaw does not have sufficient space to accommodate wisdom teeth, they will become impacted or emerge only partially.

Treatment

If your wisdom tooth is problematic, your dentist or oral surgeon may decide to remove it.

Discolored or stained teeth are another common dental problem. Tooth discoloration can negatively impact a person’s self-esteem, but it can be prevented or reversed with different dental treatments.

Causes

Teeth may darken due to several reasons, including:

• Improper dental hygiene
• Tobacco use
• Certain foods and beverages
• Certain medication
• Age
• Genetics  

Treatment

Based on the main cause of teeth coloration, your dentist may recommend one of the following options.

• Professional teeth whitening
• Dental veneers
• Dental bonding
• Dental crown

You can keep your mouth healthy and avoid many dental problems by:

• Practicing good dental hygiene
• Maintaining a balanced diet
• Eating healthy foods
• Arranging regular dental checkups with a professional Brisbane Dentist

Pure Dentistry

Please call us today at 0733434869 to book an appointment or receive a consultation. You can also book online.