Common Dental Problems and Solutions

Healthy teeth are incredibly crucial when it comes to our overall health. They help us to smile, chew, speak, bite and masticate the food, which is vital for sustainability. Teeth also provide proper shape to our face, thus maintain aesthetics. A typical adult has 32 teeth. Humans generally have four sets of teeth. Each is having their specific profile and function. The four types of teeth are:

Incisor

They are four in number in both upper and lower jaws. Their function is cutting the food.

Canine

There are four canines in the oral cavity, two each in the upper and lower jaw. Their function is to tear the food apart.

Premolars(bicuspids)

There are eight premolars in the oral cavity, four each in the upper and lower jaw. Their function is to crush food.

Molars

There are twelve molars in the permanent dentition, six each in the upper and lower jaw. Their function is to grind and masticate the food. They are named as first molars, second molars, and third molars. Third molars are generally known as the "wisdom tooth". 

Then, there are two sets of dentition:

i) Deciduous dentition:

Also known as primary dentition, baby teeth, or milk teeth. It is composed of 20 teeth, with ten teeth in each arch. They comprise of two incisors (central and lateral), a canine, and two molars. These are designated to as letter A, B, C, D and E. They usually begin to erupt around six months.

ii) Permanent dentition:

Also known as secondary dentition, adult teeth, or permanent teeth. It is composed of 32 teeth, with 16 in each arch. They comprise of two incisors, a canine, two premolars, and three molars. These are designated in numbers, 1 to 8.

Educating yourself regarding common dental problems and their causes may help you a lot in its prevention. The list of common dental problems is listed as below:

1) Bad Odour:

Also known as halitosis, bad breath may be sometimes embarrassing. Majority of people with persistent bad breath have an underlying dental condition. Reasons for bad breath may be a gum disease, cavity, oral cancer, dry mouth, or bacteria on the tongue.

Mouthwash cannot be a treatment option if a dental problem is present. It will only mask the odour and not permanently cure it. If you are facing the problem of bad breath, try to visit your dentist to rule it out.

2) Gum (Periodontal) Disease:

Periodontal infection is the disease of the gums that cover the teeth. It is considered to be one of the major cause of tooth loss among adults. Gum disease generally occurs around the age of 30. Amongst the many contributing factors, smoking and tobacco consumption are one of the most significant ones. Diabetes and dry mouth also increase risk. 

Symptoms include bad breath, red and swollen gums, tender and bleeding gums, sensitive or mobile teeth. Two major stages are the Gingivitis and Periodontitis.

Regular dental check-ups and visits along with brushing at least twice a day and flossing routinely helps in the prevention of gum disease.

3) Tooth Decay (Cavity):

Tooth decay, known as tooth cavity is one of the most prevalent tooth diseases worldwide. It is the softening of tooth enamel caused by acids.

Tooth decay occurs when the plaque bacteria comes in contact with the carbohydrates trapped between your teeth. These bacteria generate acidic by-products that soften the tooth enamel, leading to a cavity.

Causes:

• Sugary food
• Sticky food
• Sugar containing Beverages

Teeth Cavities can occur at any age, not only in children. You can develop cavities due to enamel erosion. Dry mouth or medications can also contribute to tooth decay.

One of the best ways to prevent tooth decay is to avoid soft drinks and beverages, avoid late-night snacks, brush twice daily, floss daily and drink plenty of water, avoid unnecessary medications and going for regular dental check-ups.

4) Oral Cancer:

Oral Cancer is an abnormal growth in the mouth or oral cavity. It includes cancer of the lips, tongue, cheeks, the floor of the mouth, hard and soft palate. Oral Cancer can be sometimes life-threatening if not diagnosed and treated earlier.

Causes:

• Smoking
• Smokeless tobacco users
• Excessive consumption of alcohol
• Family history of cancer
• Excessive sun exposure
• Human papillomavirus

Symptoms include sores, lumps, or rough areas in the mouth. Change in the bite, difficulty in chewing, swallowing, or moving your tongue or jaw. So, visit your dentist if you find any abnormal sign. If detected early, it is treatable.

5) Tooth Erosion:

Tooth Erosion is the destruction of tooth structure which is caused by acid attacking the enamel portion of the tooth. It can be caused by the following:

• Excessive soft drinks
• Fruit drinks
• Dry mouth or xerostomia
• Sugar and starch-rich diet
• Acid reflux disease
• Gastrointestinal problems
• Various medications(antihistamines, Aspirin)
• Genetic or hereditary conditions
• Environmental factors like friction, wear and tear, stress, and corrosion.

Preventive methods:

• Erosion may lead to sensitivity, discolouration, cracks and chips
• Try visiting your dentist every six months for regular check-up and cleaning
• Eliminate highly acidic foods and drinks from your diet
• Use a straw while consuming acidic drinks
• Monitor snacks
• Chew sugar-free gum between meals
• Drink more water throughout the day
• Use fluoride toothpaste

6) Mouth Sores:

Mouth sores are the common ailments affecting everyone at some point in their lives. They usually occur on the soft tissues of the mouth, including the lips, cheeks, gums, floor of the mouth, and the tongue.

Mouth sores are to be concerned about if they last for more than two weeks. Usually, they disappear on their own.

Most common mouth sores are the canker sores or aphthous ulcers that usually occur inside the mouth and not seen on the lips. They are non-contagious and can be triggered by many causes. 

Cold sores or fever blisters are caused by the Herpes simplex virus and occur on the edge of the outer lips. They are contagious and are not completely curable.

Mouth sores can be seen in:

• Candidiasis
• Denture wearers
• Diabetic patient
• Cancer treatment

7) Stained Teeth:

Tooth discolouration can occur due to the surface stains, or due to the changes in the tooth material. Teeth stains usually appear on the surface of the tooth or below the tooth enamel.

There are three categories of stains identified by dental professionals:

• Extrinsic tooth stains:

This usually occurs on the outer surface of the tooth. Extrinsic stains are caused by tobacco use, regular consumption of tea, coffee, wine and cold drinks. They can be treated by dental cleaning and brushing the teeth with teeth whitening paste.  

• Intrinsic tooth stains:

It usually occurs below the tooth surface. It occurs when the stain-causing material passes through the exterior surface and gets accumulated within the tooth enamel. It is caused due to excessive fluoride use. They can be treated using the bleaching process at home or professionally.

• Age-related stains:

As we age, the enamel portion of our tooth gradually becomes thinner, thus allowing the dentin to show through. The dentin becomes yellowish over time, leading to the discolouration of the tooth. These intrinsic causes combined with the extrinsic ones result in the discolouration with age.

Causes:

• Food and drinks
• Tobacco
• Poor dental hygiene
• Trauma or a disease
• Certain medications like antihistamines, antipsychotic medicines.

8) Tooth Sensitivity:

Tooth sensitivity is a dental problem that involves discomfort or pain due to specific stimulus like hot, cold, and sweet. It may be temporary or a chronic situation, and it can affect a single tooth or whole set of dentition.

In healthy teeth, dentin is protected by the outer covering enamel, and the gums protect tooth roots. Various factors contributing to the tooth sensitivity are:

• Using hard bristle toothbrush or brushing too hard
• Gum recession, it occurs due to the periodontal diseases resulting in dentin exposure.
• Gingivitis, inflamed gum tissue results in exposure of the dentin
• Cracked teeth
• Teeth grinding or clenching habit
• Plaque buildup
• Excessive use of mouthwashes that contain acids
• Acidic foods
• Dental procedures like tooth cleaning, root planing, crown replacement and other tooth restorative procedures

9) Toothaches and Dental Emergencies:

Toothache is referred to as a pain in or around the tooth. Toothache sometimes may be very severe, that it becomes similar to an emergency situation. Such situations may arise due to various reasons like a cracked tooth, chipped tooth, sensitive tooth, abscess, cavity, teeth broken due to accident, tooth fracture, a damaged filling, teeth grinding, or sometimes a periodontal condition.

 Symptoms:

• Tooth pain which may be sharp, throbbing, or constant
• Swelling around the tooth
• Fever or headache
• Foul-taste and odour from the infected tooth
• Earache, pain while opening mouth wide

10) Cracked and Chipped tooth:

Forceful blow or excessive wear and tear of the teeth results in chipping of the teeth. It results in notched tooth surface that can be sharp, tender, and disfiguring.

Causes:

• Biting on the hard substances, like hard candy or food item
• Fall or accidents
• Playing sports without using a mouthguard
• Teeth grinding habit while sleeping
• Tooth decay and cavities
• Acid-producing foods
• Acid reflux
• Eating disorders or Excessive Alcohol consumption

Cracked tooth:

A cracked tooth is the break in the hard shell of the tooth, i.e. Enamel. They are partial fractures that appear on the crown portion of the tooth and may extend under the gums.

Causes:

• Biting too hard on a piece of food
• Excessive grinding of the teeth
• A physical injury like accidents, fall
• Large or overextended fillings
• Sudden temperature changes

Symptoms:

• Pain while biting or chewing
• Swollen gums around the cracked tooth
• Sensitivity to sweet, hot or cold food
• Pain tends to come and go
• Discomfort around the teeth

11) Impacted Teeth:

Teeth which doesn't erupt in the oral cavity are called impacted teeth. It usually happens when a tooth gets stuck against another tooth, bone, or soft tissue.

Causes:

• Crowding
• Lack of space to erupt in the oral cavity

Symptoms:

• Red or swollen gums
• Tender gums
• Bleeding gums
• Swelling around the jaw
• Bad breath
• Unpleasant taste in the mouth
• Difficulty in the mouth opening

12) Unattractive Smile:

An unattractive smile can lower a person's self-esteem and self-confidence. It may be due to crowding of a tooth, crack in the tooth, chipped tooth, the spacing between teeth, hyperdontia or hypodontia.

With today's technologies and advances, anyone can get a beautiful smile.

Treatment options:

• Teeth whitening
• Dental Implants
• Orthodontics
• Cosmetic dental works

Conclusion

This article covers the major dental problems people face in day to day life. It includes basics about various types of teeth, their functions and various infirmities that the teeth undergo. This article will help you to expand your awareness about your teeth and assist you in some or the other way to maintain a beautiful smile.