No one likes a visit to the dentist. Rather, the very mention of the words dentist and dental treatment can send shivers running our spine. However, if we encounter a dental problem, there is no better option than visiting a dentist to take care of it right then and there. Regular dental checkups can keep you safe and away from dental problems while educating you on the best practices needed to keep these problems at bay.
Common Causes for Dental Problems
Here are some common dental problems you need to know about, as well as the measures needed to treat/prevent them.
Bad Breath
Right up at the top of the list of dental problems is bad breath, aka halitosis. An embarrassing problem to deal with, bad breath occurs due to several dental problems, including dry mouth, bacteria build-up, cavities, gum disease or oral cancer. While using a mouth wash can only mask the issue for a while, you will need to visit a dentist to treat chronic bad breath.
Decayed Tooth
Tooth decay, aka cavities, is a common dental problem among individuals of all ages. A cavity occurs when the plaque on the teeth combines with the starch and sugars in the food you eat. The result of this combination is an acid that will attack, erode the tooth enamel and gradually drill a hole through the tooth. While improper dental hygiene is the main cause for cavities, issues like dry mouth and certain medications are also to blame at times.
Cracked/Broken Tooth
A mouth injury can result in a cracked or broken tooth. In addition to this, a tooth can get cracked or broken by chewing hard foods. You may crack or break a tooth if you have the habit of grinding teeth while sleeping at night. In the event of a cracked or broken tooth, visit a dentist to take care of the tooth.
Sensitive Teeth
Also termed as dentin hypersensitivity, sensitive teeth are a problem that affects lots of people. Tooth sensitivity can stem from a variety of issues, including cracked/broken teeth, mouth sores, tooth abscess, worn-out dental crowns and fillings, receding gums and gum diseases, etc. In some cases, tooth sensitivity may arise from thinner enamel.
Some of the common symptoms of tooth sensitivity include pain and discomfort experienced whenever the affected tooth comes in contact with sweets, hot or cold drinks, ice creams or cold air, etc. If you experience these symptoms, chances are you have a sensitive tooth that needs to be checked out by a dentist.
Mouth Sores
Mouth sores can be painful to deal with. While they do disappear on their own, they tend to create some problems until they do so. Some of the common mouth sores include canker sores, cold sores, fever blisters, etc. In some cases, mouth sores can also be caused by oral thrush. While mouth sores are harmless, they may be a cause for concern if they do not disappear within two weeks or so.
Gum Disease
Aka periodontal disease, gum disease arises due to an infection in the gums. Periodontal diseases, often linked to tooth loss in individuals, usually affects adults over 30 years of age. While smoking is considered the main cause of gum disease, dry mouth and diabetes are also risk factors. Some of the symptoms of gum disease include inflamed gums, bleeding gums, bad breath, sensitive teeth, and pain while biting or chewing foods.
Oral Cancer
Affecting millions of people around the world, oral cancer is a serious dental issue that needs to be treated as soon as you start noticing the initial symptoms. Some of the biggest risk factors of this disease, which is more common in individuals aged over 40 years, include rough patches, lumps, and sores in the mouth. The main risk factors for oral cancer include alcohol, tobacco and a virus called HPV, which is transmitted sexually.
Treating Common Dental Problems
With the knowledge we have gained of the different kinds of dental problems we may face, let’s take a brief look at the different ways in which we can treat or prevent these problems. Your dentist will be the best person to recommend these treatments to you.
Regular professional cleanings
It pays to visit your dentist once in two months or so to have your teeth professionally cleaned. Professional cleaning can help you get rid of plaque and tartar build-up on the teeth. Once the tartar is removed, the dentist will proceed to brush your teeth using a high powered brush and then floss and rinse off any debris. In some cases, the doctor may recommend a deep cleaning routine, which involves removing tartar build-up from the areas below the gumline. This routine is usually called scaling or root planing.
Fluoride Treatments
Fluoride is a substance, which can fight germs and strengthen tooth enamel. After a regular cleaning routine, your dentist may recommend a fluoride treatment, which would also make your teeth more resilient to acids and bacterial attacks.
Antibiotic Treatments
Your dentist looks for dental issues like tooth abscesses or gum infections during the cleaning process. In the case of an apparent infection, the dentist may recommend an antibiotic treatment wherein he/she would administer an antibiotic to treat the infection and prevent it from spreading to other areas of the mouth. The antibiotic may be a capsule, gel, oral tablet or a topical gel.
Crown, Filling and Sealant Treatments
If you have a crack, hole or cavity in a tooth, the dentist will recommend you opt for a filling procedure. The procedure involves removing the affected area of the tooth with a drill and then filling the hole with amalgam or another composite material.
If a larger portion of the tooth has broken off or needs to be removed, your dentist will recommend covering it with a crown. A regular crown will be designed to fit right over the affected tooth, replacing the missing portion of the tooth. In case you already have an implant, you may need to opt for a dental implant, which would fit over an implant.
Your dentist may also recommend the use of a sealant to keep away cavities. Painless and easy to apply, dental sealants are often recommended for children aged 6 or above (when their first set of molars come out) and aged 12 or above (when the second set of molars appear).
Root Canal Treatments
If the tooth has decayed to the point where the decay has reached the nerve underneath the tooth, you may need to opt for a root canal treatment to remove the affected tooth and nerve. While the tooth is replaced by a dental implant, the affected nerve is removed and its space is filled with a biocompatible material. In most cases, this material will be a mix of adhesive cement and a rubbery material known as gutta-percha.
Surgical Remedies for Dental Problems
If there is a serious periodontal issue, you may need to opt for oral surgery to rectify the issue. Some common oral surgeries conducted for the treatment of dental issues include:
Flap Surgery
In a flap surgical procedure, the dental surgeon would make a small cut into the gum and then lift a small section of the tissue. The surgeon will then remove any bacteria or tartar collected underneath the gums. Following this, the flap will be stitched back in place.
Soft Tissue Grafting Surgery
Usually recommended for receding gums, soft tissue grafting surgeries involve removing small pieces of tissues from the mouth and replacing these areas with tissues received from a donor.
Bone Grafting Surgery
A bone grafting surgery is recommended when an existing dental issue like gum disease has damaged the bone beneath the tooth. During the procedure, the dentist will remove the affected bone and then replace it with a bone graft. This graft is usually crafted from the patient’s bone or a donated or synthetic bone.
Tooth Extraction Surgery
If your tooth is too damaged to be treated by the root canal or any other kind of dental surgery, the dentist may recommend removing the entire tooth. In some cases, tooth extraction surgery is advised for the removal of wisdom teeth or impacted third molars as well. In any case, the dentist will recommend a tooth to be extracted if it starts to affect the other teeth around it and starts to cause discomfort in the form of pain, inflammation, etc.
Dental Implant Surgery
Let’s say you lost a couple of teeth to dental problems at an early age. Your best option to restore the gap due to the missing tooth is a dental implant. A dental implant is an artificial tooth, which is surgically placed into your jawbone. Smile Delhi - The Dental Clinic has the best Dental implants in Delhi. Moreover, after the dental implant, with time, the bones will start to grow around the implant and hold it in place. If you need to replace more than one tooth, the dentist would customize a dental bridge for your mouth. This dental bridge will usually consist of two abutment crowns placed on both sides of the gap and a row of artificial teeth placed in between them.
Treating/Preventing Dental Problems with Daily Habits
In addition to these treatments and procedures to take care of dental problems, your dentist will recommend a change in your daily habits to take care of your teeth better. Some of these changes will include:
- Brushing twice a day (as soon as you get up in the morning and right before you go to sleep at night) and flossing at least once every day.
- Using fluoride-based toothpaste to clean and strengthen your teeth. In case you have sensitive teeth, look for toothpaste and mouthwash that are recommended for sensitive teeth.
- Not missing your regular dental checkups. Dental problems have their way of popping up even if you follow proper oral hygiene. As such, getting your teeth cleaned professionally by a dentist and arranging for a dental check-up visit at least once every six months can be beneficial for your teeth in the long run.
- Dentists in Delhi suggests eating the right foods while avoiding the wrong ones. While you should eat foods that are high in fiber and other essential nutrients, you need to stop or limit the intake of foods with high levels of sugar and fat.
- Foods that need to be included in your daily diet are vegetables and fruits. Accordingly, the foods you need to limit include sugary snacks/drinks and foods that contain hidden sugars. These include, but are not limited to, ketchup, barbecue sauce, and other condiments, fruits in cans, sodas, flavored yogurts, sweetened teas, energy drinks, juice blends, cereal bars, muffins, etc.
- Avoiding tobacco products. Tobacco is one of the main causes of tooth decay, gum disease, and oral cancer. Avoiding the use of tobacco and tobacco-related products can keep your teeth and gums healthy in the long run.
