7 Common Dental Problems 

• Tooth Decay
  • This is the most common dental problem faced by most of the population. It is caused by insufficient and improper oral hygiene and brushing, as well as poor diet and drink choices that cause a buildup of bacteria. This bacteria release enzymes that begin the process of tooth decay or caries and will keep progressing unless treated. Therefore, the better your oral hygiene and food/drink choice, the lower your chance of decay. 

• Gum Disease
  • This is also due to inadequate tooth brushing and oral hygiene procedures leading to a buildup of plaque and calculus on the teeth and gums. If left untreated and if cleaning is not improved by the patient, this will progress from simple gum inflammation and bleeding gums, to more advanced gum disease with receding gums, bone loss and eventual early tooth loss. 

• Tooth Root Infection
  • This kind of infection is a progression of untreated dental caries that have reached into the dental pulp and traveled through the roots and spreads to the tissue surrounding the roots. It results in severe pain, abscess formation (collection of pus) and eventual breakdown of the entire tooth and surrounding tissue. If left untreated, tooth extraction is the only treated. However, if a dentist is seen in time, a simple root canal treatment will alleviate pain and stop this progression. 

• Enamel Wear
  • An excess of acidic drinks such as fizzy drinks, fruit juices and excessive alcohol intake will result in the breakdown of the topmost layer of the tooth called enamel. This will show as round, discoloured surfaces on the tooth. Once enamel is lost, it does not regenerate, therefore, swap fruit juices and fizzy drinks for water and simply reduce the amounts you drink.
  • Other causes of tooth wear can be teeth grinding, excessive force used during brushing, poor alignment of teeth and certain regurgitative disorders such as bulimia or acid reflux.  Visiting your dentist regularly can help identify tooth wear and its causes and treatment. 

• Dry Mouth
  • A dry mouth, known as xerostomia, is caused by a lack of saliva in the mouth and can occur for different reasons. It is commonly seen in medically compromised patients with autoimmune disorders or those who have gone through radiation therapy for cancer treatment.
  • It is also a side effect of certain medications.
  • Visit your dentist to see what can be done to help. 

• Temporomandibular Joint Disorders
  • This is the dysfunction of the joint of the same name that is found a little below the ears. It can manifest with pain, tenderness of the joint and even clicking and deviation of the lower jaw to one side on opening. Depending on the causative factor, your dentist may be able to help. If not, you may be referred to a maxillofacial surgeon.

• Oral Cancers
  • Obviously, this is one of the more serious dental problems that you can have, so it is crucial to know it in the early stages. Most cases of oral cancer are first spotted by the dentist. Keep an eye out for any non healing ulcers, white patches that do not rub off, or red/white patches, especially for tobacco smokers and chewers. If there is any growth in your oral cavity or lip that you are worried about, see your dentist immediately.