5 Common Dental Problems and What You Need to Know

If you’re like many people, you take good dental health for granted until a sure sign that you need to see your dentist comes along. However, many oral issues can be circumvented fairly easily when diagnosed in their early stages, which is why it’s important to schedule routine examinations with your dentist every six months.

Bad Breath

Otherwise known as halitosis, bad breath has many potential causes ranging from poor oral hygiene all the way to an underlying serious illness. If persistent bath breath doesn’t respond to an improved oral hygiene routine, it’s time to schedule a visit with your dentist to find out the cause. Common causes include tooth or gum infections, dry mouth, and use of tobacco products.

Tooth Pain

Tooth pain is another condition with a variety of causes. One of the most common reasons you might experience a toothache is because tooth decay has progressed to the extent that a cavity has developed in the dental tissue. Left untreated, cavities can lead to abscesses and infection. Other causes of tooth pain include physical trauma caused by sports injuries or other accidents, enamel that’s eroded to the point where sensitive underlying nerves in dental tissues are exposed to environmental stressors such as acid or sugar in foods and beverages, and an infection in the interior dental pulp.

Tooth Sensitivity

Tooth sensitivity is usually caused by the underlying dental tissues being exposed to stressors such as hot or cold foods or beverages. This occurs as the result of significant erosion of the enamel or by receding gums.

Gingivitis

Gingivitis is the first stage of gum disease. Common signs include swollen, red, and/or painful gums and bleeding during or after brushing and flossing. The good news about gingivitis is that it can be reversed in its early stages by practicing exemplary oral hygiene, using an antibacterial mouthwash on a regular basis, and having your professional teeth cleaned every six months.

Tooth Discoloration

Teeth can become discolored for a variety of reasons. It’s often the result of drinking coffee, tea, or red wine or eating a lot of blueberries and blackberries. Tobacco use also stains teeth. Fortunately, these stains can easily be minimized by teeth whitening treatments, but stained teeth sometimes signify a more serious underlying problem.

Please feel free to schedule an appointment with us at your convenience if you’ve got questions or concerns about your dental health.