Have you ever taken tooth decay for granted trying to postpone your appointment with the doctor hoping it to be getting cured on its own! Well, if yes than you might be at a higher risk of losing your teeth. Unfortunately, people have a very callous approach when it comes to taking care of their teeth. And this is where eventually they have to go for advanced treatments and prosthetics. Get familiar with common tooth problems and seek treatment in time. Also, find some tips for oral hygiene.
Dental problems need to be handled with the same concern that we show in case of any other health problem, as procrastination could escalate the problems in the absence of proper hygiene steps and brushing practices.
Get Familiar with 6 Common Tooth Problems
Tooth problems are common to all and every one of us experiences it, sometime or the other. Here, you can get familiar with common tooth problems and know if you need treatment too.
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Tooth Decay
Decaying is one of the most common tooth problems that takes away your tooth due to acid formation by the bacteria present in the mouth. It can then result into holes known as cavities.
Cause: The bacteria and food we eat can together promote tooth decay. Plaque is a substance that is regularly formed over teeth, which upon deposition leads to acid formation. It is this acid which can over time lead to complete loss of tooth as a result of tooth decay.
Conditions that promote tooth decay and common tooth problems include,
- Incompetent brushing or not doing it in a proper manner could lead to plaque deposition favoring tooth decay.
- Consuming a diet which is sugar rich and high on carbs can also favor the growth of bacteria.
- Deficiency of fluoride in water or toothpaste could also be responsible for decay. Fluoride helps in reducing the effect of acid by checking on the bacteria thereby restricting plaque formation.
- Decreased levels of saliva in the mouth could create dryness thereby favoring acid formation. It could even lead to a medical condition called xerostomia that affects older people commonly.
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Hyperdontia
This is an oral tooth problem where a patient suffers from having excess number of teeth than required naturally. As per the standard, primary teeth in human should be 20 and permanent should be 32.
Also known as the milk teeth, primary teeth begin to erupt in an infant around 5-10 months and they begin to fall off by 6 to 7 years. Different types of teeth grow and fall off one by one as per their specific time. The permanent teeth usually get fully developed at the age of 21 years. It is during a condition wherein the number of primary teeth either exceeds 20 or the number of permanent exceeds 32, a person is said to suffer from hyperdontia. This too is a one of the common tooth problems and treatment is required if they cause any problems.
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Staining or Yellowing of Teeth
Yellowing of teeth, yet another common tooth problem that tends to get escalated owing to unhealthy lifestyle and incompetent oral hygiene. Stains can occur in your teeth destroying their natural whiteness due to a lot of reasons:
- Smoking
- High consumption of carbonated drinks and beverages
- Ageing
- Medicinal side effects
Home based teeth whitening kits have becoming popular for people who want to get their teeth whitened without investing in largely at dental clinics. Though such kits claim to be very effective helping you achieve back your lost whiteness, there are various risks associated to their usage.
Alternatively, you can also go for whitening based toothpastes that are designed to remove stains. Nowadays, various cosmetic dental procedures are also available to restore back pearl whiteness to your stained teeth helping you smile with gleaming confidence!
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Impacted Teeth
In certain cases, teeth can grow out poorly aligned or could deviate from the natural course, leading to a condition called impacted teeth. This could be a result of a tooth sticking within a bone, tissue or another tooth. Further, partially erupting teeth could create discomfort, requiring dentist’s evaluation. If it gets infected or decayed, it might be completely removed.
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Teeth Sensitivity
Teeth sensitivity is another issue that is slowly taking over a lot of people nowadays. This could be characterized by a shooting pain or discomfort while eating anything too hot or cold. This is one of the most encountered tooth problems. Sensitivity could be a cause of many factors:
- Over brushing leading to erosion
- Teeth cavities
- Acidic tooth
- Fractures
- Gum disease or bleeding
The doctor, on evaluation would be able to suggest the right treatment such as the need for dental filling, a gum treatment or simply a root canal. You might be asked to improve your brushing while using special desensitizing toothpaste or any fluoride based oral supplement.
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Problems Related to Wisdom Teeth
Very often third molars also called wisdom teeth might not emerge out well, requiring a need for removal. Wisdom teeth tend to come out usually during the adolescence or early twenties. Since the place for 28 teeth is already full, wisdom teeth create problems such as cavities, gum disease requiring medical attention.
Tips for Oral Hygiene
Sometimes, simple measures can be of great help in preventing major tooth problems. Here are some tips for oral hygiene.
Brushing Should Not Be Rushing!
Brush twice daily and make sure you do it properly otherwise it will have no impact irrespective of the number of times you brush.
Using Fluoride Based Toothpaste
Make sure you use the right equipment while brushing in order to maintain oral hygiene. A soft bristled brush accompanied with a fluoride containing toothpaste is a good combination to go for. In case of excess plaque deposition, you can also go for electrically driven brush that will help to prevent gum infection which otherwise might not be effective via manual brushing. If you happen to have arthritis or any similar bone related problem, these toothbrushes will offer a great assistance.
Brushing Needs An Angle
When you hold your toothbrush, instead of keeping it straight bent it at an angle, at the area of gum and teeth contact as this area is most prone to infections and cavity build up. Short back and forth rubbing and movements will help to remove food leftovers and contaminants preventing the chances of oral infections.
Keeping Equipment Clean Is Important
Make sure to rinse your brush properly before as well as after use to maintain proper oral hygiene. Using air tight caps would be a better manner to avoid air contamination. Always replace your brushes every 2-3 months or when you find the bristles become scantier or damaged.
- Mayo Clinic. “Tooth Decay (Cavities): Symptoms & Causes.” Link: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/cavities/symptoms-causes/syc-20352892
- American Dental Association. “Teeth Whitening.” Link: https://www.ada.org/en/member-center/oral-health-topics/teeth-whitening
- American Dental Association. “Oral Health Basics: Brushing and Flossing.” Link: https://www.ada.org/en/public-programs/toothbrushes/toothbrush-history
- American Dental Association. “Toothbrush Care: Cleaning, Storing and Replacement.” Link: https://www.ada.org/en/member-center/oral-health-topics/toothbrushes