The Most Common Dental Problems and How to Prevent Them

Maintaining good oral hygiene is one of the most important aspects of our health, but no matter how well we take care of our teeth, dental problems can still happen. From light toothache to missing teeth, these issues can impact our everyday lives and even lead to more serious issues in the future.

In this blog post article, we will mention some of the most common dental problems we face here at Dr. Roland Zhuka’s dental clinic and how we treat them. With proper care, you will also be able to prevent your oral health from deteriorating. 

So what are the most common dental issues we face here at our clinic? Continue reading to find out more about each problem, their causes, and the treatments. 

Bad Breath

People are constantly looking for ways to keep their breath smelling fresh, but what is causing bad breath in the first place? Bad breath can be a sign of an underlying infection or disease, or it can result from poor oral hygiene.

Although it may not seem very serious, bad breath can be a symptom of gum disease, periodontitis, or even a dental abscess, all of which are serious dental issues.

Most of these causes can be easily managed with proper oral care. However, if bad breath is linked to a more serious condition, such as those mentioned above, it is important to book a consultation with your dentist for appropriate treatment.

Toothache

Every time we feel pain this is our body’s way of telling us something is not right, and this is also true for toothache. Pain can be sharp and sudden or it can be severe and long-lasting.

Some of the main reasons why you may experience toothache include:

• Infection of the tooth nerve.
• Cavities.
• Damage to the tooth structure. 
• Grinding the teeth.
• Periodontitis or gingivitis. 
• Failure of restorative treatments like fillings or crowns. 

See a dentist as soon as possible if a toothache persists for more than 24 to 48 hours, is extremely painful, or is accompanied by other symptoms like swelling. Since they usually signal an issue that needs to be addressed right away, severe or persistent toothaches are frequently considered emergency appointments.

Failed Implant

When it comes to replacing missing teeth, dental implants will be the most effective procedure. This procedure is the only one that will replace all the tooth structures along with the root.

By finding a reputable clinic and implantologist like Dr. Roland Zhuka, your dental implants will last your whole lifetime. However, there are some other issues that a professional cannot control that can lead to implant failure. Some of the reasons that can lead to this include:

• Not properly maintaining the dental implant. 
• The patient doesnt have sufficient bone to hold the implant.
• Any accidents or trauma. 
• Smoking regularly.
• Dealing with diabetes. 

The risk of developing any of these issues is very low if you choose the right clinic and implantologist. Here at Dr. Roland Zhuka’s clinic, we do everything in hand to keep our clients comfortable throughout the process.

Besides this, the rest is in the patient’s hands. It is important that you take good care of your teeth if you have dental implants. This includes brushing, flossing, and taking good care of the gums to avoid gingivitis and periodontitis. 

Tooth Decay

Tooth decay is another common problem that will affect many people. This issue is caused by eating sugary foods and not properly taking care of your teeth.

To avoid tooth decay, you should brush your teeth at least twice a day, use a tongue scraper, and floss regularly. Regular dental checkups are also essential for maintaining healthy teeth, as they can help identify any problems that you may not be able to detect on your own.

Additionally, you should try and avoid sugary and starchy foods and try to maintain a healthy diet. This will help you keep the teeth healthy for a long time and avoid cavities.

It is important to know that the food doesnt directly harm the teeth but it is the bacteria that are fed by it. As a result, these bacteria produce acids that damage the enamel which is the outer layer of the teeth. 

If you neglect the signs of tooth decay you will experience:

• Infection of the tooth structure.
• The teeth will be more prone to damage and breakage.
• Loss of the tooth. 

Teeth Grinding

Teeth grinding also known as bruxism is a common dental problem. Usually, people tend to apply pressure between their teeth subconsciously in periods of stress, anxiety, excitement, or even while sleeping.

Since this behavior is done unconsciously it can be very difficult to control. If not managed bruxism can wear down the teeth making them more fragile and increasing the chance that they break or crack. Additionally, this can also cause damage to crowns, implants, or veneers. 

In order to treat bruxism it is important to understand what is causing it. Try to control stress or discuss with your dentist about keeping a mouthguard at night. This will help keep the teeth healthy without damaging them. 

Worn Teeth

Worn teeth are not always a result of teeth grinding. This is also a normal consequence of using the teeth every day. 

In order to address this issue, the dentist can recommend either veneers or dental crowns. This way you will protect what is left of your natural teeth structure while also keeping the teeth looking good. 

Tooth Sensitivity

When we expose our teeth to different temperatures, it is common to feel a sharp pain. This is a normal response from the body, but it indicates that you are experiencing tooth sensitivity.

Once you start to become sensitive to cold and hot beverages or foods, it means that the enamel is starting to wear down. If this happens your sensitive tissues also known as the dentin are exposed. 

In order to treat tooth sensitivity the dentist will recommend you use certain products or treatments that will help restore the dentin. However, this will depend on the severity of the problem. 

Bleeding Gums

Although people might think bleeding gums are normal, this is not true. This can be a clear sign of gingivitis or periodontitis, which is a serious issue.

Although this is one of the most common issues that people might face, it still should not be neglected. Once in the early stages, gum disease can be easily reversed by taking good care of your teeth.

Brushing and flossing your teeth regularly is a must in keeping the gums healthy and preventing possible tooth loss. If it is not taken seriously, this can lead to periodontal disease that will affect the bone around the teeth.

If this happens you can expect:

• Potential loss of the tooth. 
• A decrease in the jawbone volume.
• A risk of cardiovascular disease.
• Potential preterm labor if pregnant.

Gum Recession

If you notice that your gums are starting to go down exposing the tooth root and giving them a longer appearance, then you are dealing with gum recession. Usually, this is a symptom of untreated gum disease or periodontitis.

Although this is not reversible there are several procedures that can help you with their appearance, like gum grafts.

Missing Teeth

Sometimes we can experience missing teeth, either due to injuries, because they need to be extracted, or because we are born without them. If this happens, it is very important to replace them for several reasons, including:

• Prevent the shift of the teeth since they will drift closer to close the space. 
• Avoiding the loss of bone volume.
• You will be able to chew your food better.

Chipped Tooth

Chipped front teeth are very common, especially in children. This can happen for several reasons, including falls, accidents, or playing sports.

If a tooth gets chipped, it is important to visit your dentist as soon as possible. Sometimes, the inner structure of the tooth can be exposed, and immediate treatment is necessary to prevent further damage. Treatment options for a chipped tooth typically include dental veneers or crowns, depending on the severity of the damage.

Stained Teeth

Stained teeth are another common dental issue that people face. Teeth can start looking yellow, brown, or even black due to several reasons and this can be very unpleasant for many people. 

One of the main reasons why this happens is consuming colored beverages or food regularly, like dark chocolate, red wine, berries, coffee, smoking, etc. 

Although colored teeth are a cosmetic concern some people can be bothered by it. The best way to make them look whiter and healthier is professional teeth whitening and when this is not effective veneers might be necessary.

Staining can sometimes even indicate dental decay or infection and when this happens they will start to become brown or even black. In these situations, a dental examination of the tooth or teeth will be required in order to treat the underlying issue.

White Spots

If you notice white spots on your teeth these can be the reasons behind them:

• Discoloration in teeth can be caused by mineral deficiencies.
• Turner’s tooth is a condition when you have a deficiency of the tooth enamel.
• Although fluor is important for keeping the teeth white and healthy, too much of it can result in white spots. 
• If you have braces you should properly take care of your teeth because if you dont, you will be left with white spots that need to be treated with additional procedures. 

Lost Crown

Dental crowns are another restoration procedure used to treat damaged teeth. Unlike dental implants, they will only cover the top of the teeth.

Usually, they are necessary in cases when the patient has a chipped or broken tooth. Additionally, they are also a component of dental implants. Although they are strong sometimes they can become loose and they need to be replaced.

Some of the main reasons that can cause the loss of a dental crown include:

• Trauma and accidents.
• Although uncommon, sometimes the crowns will not be properly cemented on the tooth causing it to become loose. 
• Infection.
• Disease.
• Deterioration of the natural tooth underneath. 

 Although there is a low possibility of this happening, it is important to find the right surgeon for your dental crowns. However, if something happens you should return back to your dentist in order to replace it. 

Crooked Teeth

Crooked teeth are a typical dental problem that many people face. This issue will be visible since your permanent teeth erupt, and it is usually due to genetics. 

The main reasons for crooked teeth can be:

• Having a small jaw that cannot properly accommodate all the teeth.
• One or more of the teeth can erupt in an abnormal position.

A person with crooked teeth may experience grinding of the teeth and face difficulty with keeping them clean, depending on the degree of the issue. Over time, this may increase the risk of tooth wear out, gum disease, and dental decay.

To straighten misaligned teeth, orthodontic procedures like braces or Invisalign will be necessary. 

How to Prevent Common Dental Problems

While some of the dental problems we mentioned in this blog post are not very serious, some others can lead to serious health issues if not treated at the right time. 

However in order to avoid these issues it is important to keep a healthy oral hygiene routine including, brushing and flossing your teeth at least twice a day. Besides this regular dental visits are always a good idea. 

Additionally, some lifestyle changes can also help you keep the mouth healthy and prevent infection and tooth decay.

• Try to consume alcohol in moderation.
• Try quitting smoking.
• If you play sports, keep a mouthguard to avoid damage. 
• Consume red wine, tea, and berries in moderation since they can cause teeth discoloration. 

Besides these important factors, genetics also play a significant role in our oral health. While genetic predispositions cannot be avoided, there are various treatments available that can help you achieve a healthy, perfect smile.

Conclusion

Although we can take every step in keeping the teeth healthy, dental issues sometimes cannot be prevented or controlled. This is one of the many reasons why scheduling regular dental visits is so important. They will be able to identify the problem before they have a serious effect on your oral health and offer the right treatment course. 

Make an appointment with Dr. Roland Zhuka right now if you want to avoid or are already dealing with any of these issues. You’ll receive a comprehensive examination and cleaning, and if required, a treatment plan that we can employ to get your dental health back to normal.