Most Common Dental Problems And Ways To Treat Them

If you have ever experienced uncomfortable symptoms from a dental complication, we’re confident that you already know how important it is to take care of your oral health.

Even though modern dentistry constantly involves offering more precise and accurate results, many people still suffer from dental problems when some of them could have been prevented.

According to The Worldwide Health Organization (WHO) and the Global Burden of Disease Study, “Oral diseases affect close to 3.5 billion people worldwide.”

At Swedish Dental Clinic, we always try to promote the importance of preserving your oral hygiene and finding early and quality treatment. These are essential steps to protect your healthy smile.

So, let’s review the most common dental problems and the ways to treat them one by one.

1. Tooth sensitivity

If a hot soup or an iced smoothie makes you feel uncomfortable and even brushing your teeth can cause some level of pain, then you should visit your dentist.

Tooth sensitivity is a condition that probably any individual has or will experience at least once in life. According to studies, around 25-30% of adults report dentin hypersensitivity.

Tooth hypersensitivity can happen when the enamel is wearing off. This way, dentin (which is protected by the enamel) is exposed and will allow cold or heat to reach the nerves of your tooth. And this is why you’ll experience discomfort and pain.

Sensitivity could be a symptom of untreated dental problems like tooth decay, gum disease, broken teeth, or exposed roots.

The type of treatment needed depends on the cause behind your tooth sensitivity. Once your dentist determines the problem involved, there is a solution.

The treatment options can vary, from a simple toothpaste suitable for your situation or the application of fluoride to root canal treatments, teeth restorations (crowns, fillings, etc.), or surgical gum grafts.

Don’t worry about treatment; your doctor will make sure to provide the best options for you.

However, you should remember that proper hygiene is essential in preventing. So try not to neglect your dental routine and ask your dental hygienist for tips and advice to help you ease or avoid sensitivity.

2. Tooth decay

Tooth decay (also known as cavities or dental caries) is usually an opening or a small hole in your tooth. This happens from the bacteria inside your mouth due to inadequate oral hygiene and unhealthy eating habits, like consuming a lot of sugar.

The Worldwide Health Organization (WHO) highlights that dental caries of permanent teeth are the most common dental condition worldwide. 

Additionally, it’s also interesting that “more than 1 in 4 adults in the United States have untreated tooth decay“, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

It’s crucial not to leave tooth decay untreated because it can lead to pain, infections, or even tooth loss.

So if you’re experiencing sensitivity and pain or see some spots (white, brown or black) or even holes in your tooth’s surface, you should visit your dentist.

The treatment options depend on how complicated your situation is. For example, some fluoride treatments are usually prescribed for the early stages of decay.

However, if there is an open cavity, you’ll need a dental filling and a root canal treatment if the decay reaches the pulp. Don’t forget that a tooth extraction might be the only choice for the most severe damages.

3. Gum disease

Gum disease (also called periodontitis) is an infection that damages the tissue that supports your teeth. The cause behind it is the formatted plaque (created by bacteria), usually from poor hygiene and dental habits.

CDC indicates that “46% of all adults aged 30 years or older show signs of gum disease and that severe gum disease affects about 9% of adults.“

The signs that show that you might have periodontitis include:

• red, swollen, and tender gums,
• bad breath or bad taste,
• bleeding while brushing your teeth,
• sensitivity or bleeding while consuming hard foods,
• loose teeth or even tooth loss.

Even though gum disease is a severe infection and common – affects nearly half of US adults, it’s also largely preventable.

To prevent this condition, you should schedule and never forget your routine dental appointments.

However, if you’re already suffering from more severe periodontitis and its symptoms, the sooner you see your dentist, the better it will be.

Usually, your doctor will perform a deep cleaning under the gums and prescribe medication to treat the infection (like antibiotics and painkillers).

In more severe cases, you might have a tooth removed or undergo gum surgery.

If you’re experiencing pain from tender gums and your teeth become loose, don’t wait long and find an emergency dental care provider. 

4. Chipped, cracked or broken teeth

Unfortunately, this can happen to anyone and maybe at a really terrible time, like while you’re at a nice gathering.

Usually, we see such breaks after an accident or an injury, while bitting something hard, or when people tend to grind their teeth (also called bruxism).

Depending on the damage, the treatment options differentiate, and there is a chance that you feel pain if it’s the damage is extensive.

In any case, the first thing you should do is to find help from a dentist, even if you think that it’s just a minor crack.

The NHS suggests that if a segment of your tooth breaks, you should keep it in a container with milk or your saliva and take it to your dentist. There is a chance that the piece could be glued back on.

So, your doctor will evaluate your situation and recommend the best treatment. Restorative options to fix your tooth are fillings, veneers, crowns, or a root canal treatment if needed.

5. Root infection

Are you wondering how you can get the root of your teeth infected?

Well, this happens when a hole in the tooth is progressing, and we’ve reached a point where the bacteria affect the dental pulp, which is the soft tissue at the centre of the tooth.

When left untreated, it could damage your tissues and nerves and lead to an abscess. You’ll feel mostly persistent pain, especially while chewing and biting and sensitivity to hot and cold.

To treat this, you should contact a dental professional (an endodontist) to evaluate the damage and perform a root canal treatment. A procedure conducted with local anaesthesia, where your doctor will make sure to clean the infected area, fill the tooth and seal it with a crown.

According to the American Association of Endodontists (AAE), “more than 15 million root canal procedures are performed every year and basically around 41,000 root canals each day“.

So, no need to feel scared or anxious; even though it involves a few appointments, it’s a routine procedure that will save your tooth from extraction.

Preserving proper oral hygiene and caring for your teeth daily is a commitment you should take for yourself. 

The dental professionals in our clinic recommend scheduling your check-ups twice a year to prevent severe complications. In addition, always try keeping your teeth clean by brushing twice daily and never forgetting to floss!

Contact your dentist immediately if you’re experiencing any uncomfortable symptoms. You can book your appointment here at Swedish Dental, and one of our doctors will make sure to provide the treatment you deserve.