What Are the Six Most Common Dental Problems?
Maintaining good oral hygiene is a crucial part of your dental health and well-being. Did you know nearly 100 million people in the U.S.A fail to see the dentist every year? Compromising dental health for a prolonged period has also been associated with a high risk of getting other health disorders like cancer, heart disease, diabetes, etc.
Common Dental Issues
Below are the most common dental issues:
Cavities
Tooth decay aka cavities is the second most common health issue in the U.S.A. People can get it at any age. Decay typically occurs when the plaque accumulation on teeth blends with starch or sugar in the food you consume. If you are an adult, you can also experience tooth decay around the edges of your past dental fillings or at the gum lining.
To prevent these small holes in your teeth, refrain from snacks, follow good dental hygiene and keep up with your dental appointments. You can even ask the dentist in Vancouver if you could take advantage of a dental sealant.
Gum Diseases
Gum disease (periodontal or gingivitis) is a bacterial infection that results from plaque build-up in the mouth. So, if you have symptoms like gum sores, bleeding, swollen gums, and bad breath, you might be dealing with gum disease and require prompt treatment. It will help to prevent further risks like the loss of a tooth. Usually, today there are two kinds of gum disease treatments available – non-surgical and surgical.
The surgical treatment removes the gum infection or rebuilds lost bone via surgery. On the other hand, non-surgical gum disease treatment is non-invasive. The dentist at The Art of Smile Dental Clinic might use periodontal therapy. The procedure deeply cleans the root surfaces to eradicate the tartar and plaque from deep periodontal pockets. It typically involves scaling and root planning methods along with deep cleaning.
Mouth Cancer
Mouth cancer is a life-threatening disease that affects millions of people across the world. When diagnosed and treated at the earliest, it is curable. As per the Oral Cancer Foundation, one individual dies every hour from mouth cancer in the U.S.A. Compared to other cancer types, the death rates from mouth cancer are high. It’s because it does not show any primary signs or pain.
Most dental cancers begin as pink lump or growth in the mouth. So if you notice the signs like lumps, soreness, or rough areas in your mouth, it could lead to oral or throat cancer and require immediate attention from the dentist.
We advise you to schedule routine visits to the dental clinic. It will help the expert detect this serious condition at an early stage. You can also ask your dental professional whether their standard check-up will include oral cancer screening. During an oral cancer screening, the professional will check your mouth, ear, or head for problematic signs.
Tooth Pain and Dental Emergencies
Dental emergencies need urgent medical attention. Emergency dentists are available even during evenings and weekends. Therefore, if you are dealing with an unbearable toothache or abscessed tooth, book an urgent trip to the emergency dental clinic near you without delay. Other dental problems that require urgent medical care include:
- Cracked or broken tooth.
- Lost or knocked out tooth due to an accident.
- Face swelling.
- Dislocated or broken jaw.
- Deep cuts to the lips, tongue, and mouth.
Bruxism
Bruxism is habitual teeth grinding during sleep. The most common cause behind the condition is stress and certain personality types. If you have bruxism, contact your dentist for a custom mouthguard at night. It will reduce grinding and also addresses bite problems.
Sensitive Teeth
Tooth sensitivity (dentin hypersensitivity) is another common dental issue faced by many people across the globe. The primary cause behind it is dental caries. The patient typically faces pain or other discomforts when taking hot beverages, cold beverages, sweets, or cold air. Patients with tooth sensitivity also have pain while brushing their teeth and flossing.
The best way to prevent sensitive teeth is to prioritize good dental hygiene practices at home. In-office dental treatments to treat tooth sensitivity include fluoride treatment or dental filling. During fluoride treatment, the Vancouver dentist near you will pull the fluoride varnish over the root surfaces of the tooth. However, during filling, the dentist will cover the exposed tooth roots using dental filling material.