Promoting oral and dental hygiene is a personal lifelong commitment. Unfortunately, not everyone has access to information about dental hygiene, how to avoid complications, or what measures must be taken to solve their problems. This is especially true in low-income households and marginalized communities.
As such, having easy access to dentists and relevant information is a privilege that shouldn’t be taken lightly. The World Health Organization (WHO) stated that nearly 100 percent of adults and 60 to 90 percent of kids are dealing with at least one cavity at any given time. There are also statistics for more serious problems such as gum disease and oral cancer.
This means that even those who have the privilege to seek out dental guidance are not immune to having problems. Dental health issues can affect everyone, regardless of age, gender, race, religion, or economic background. That is why knowing how to avoid or solve these common dental problems is essential to your overall well-being.
Nerve Damage
Extreme sensitivity to heat and cold temperatures, inflamed gums, loosened teeth, or discoloration are all telltale signs of nerve damage. This can be because of a crack in your tooth that allowed bacteria to settle in and cause an infection. Persistent pain with no obvious causes can also be related to issues with your nerves.
When the enamel that protects your nerves is gone or infected, it can cause sharp pains that can only be solved by a root canal treatment or a tooth extraction. Both procedures can eradicate the pain you’re feeling, but they would also require crowning to restore your tooth’s function and prevent further damage.
Plaque Buildup
The human mouth is home to six billion bacteria, including 700 different species that can improve or worsen your health. Amongst the community of bacteria in your mouth, there is a species of sticky bacteria that can accumulate on your teeth and gradually eat away at your teeth’ enamel or outer layer.
These bacteria are called plaque, and it’s the leading cause of cavities that manifest themselves through holes in your teeth. When this happens, it can expose your nerves which can eventually cause pain. To prevent this from worsening, you should brush and floss daily, keep your dental appointments, or get sealants to prevent further damage.
Chipped Tooth
Accidents where you hit your mouth or bite too hard on a tough surface can all cause a chip on the tooth. This isn’t as serious as other dental problems but can be a huge discomfort nonetheless. Since there are no underlying health issues for a chipped tooth, a quick visit to the dentist can easily solve your problem.
Most dentists may recommend placing a crown over your existing tooth if the damage is big enough or bonding with a strong resin material to replace the chipped area. Another go-to option for a chipped tooth is veneers, which are thin coverings placed over the visible area of your tooth.
Gingivitis
Bleeding and inflamed gums are both signs of gingivitis or gum disease. It can be caused by plaque buildup near your gum line, which can eat away at your teeth’ enamel and cause eventual bone loss. Once this happens, it can loosen your teeth and make it difficult for you to chew or speak.
So when you notice these symptoms, you can prevent the condition from worsening by consulting your dentist and keeping up with your oral prophylaxis procedures. There’s also no harm with brushing and flossing at least twice a day to prevent plaque from setting camp on your teeth.
Crooked Teeth
Not everyone is gifted with perfectly aligned permanent teeth. Some people are left to make that happen for themselves through orthodontia or using braces, aligners, and retainers for a set duration of time. Crooked teeth are not as serious as gum disease but a common dental problem all the same.
There’s no shame in wanting to have straightened teeth, especially if the person can afford it. Traditionally, braces are expensive because of application and maintenance costs, which is why more adults are having it done at a later age instead of when they were still adolescents with growing jaws.
You don’t have to wait for your teeth to ache or loosen up before you start taking measures to prevent dental problems. This is because when you do finally start your preventive measures, it might be too late to do anything about it. So while your teeth and gums are still healthy, make sure that you maintain their good condition to avoid serious complications later on.
