Do you have a problem with your teeth? From decay to grinding, there are many oral issues that can affect us. This post explores 5 of the most common dental concerns, their causes, and how to treat these dental concerns.
Decay
It’s believed that roughly 3.5 billion people around the world have tooth decay, a significant dental concern. As well as affecting the appearance of our teeth, tooth decay can lead to toothaches caused by infection, which can spread around our mouth to other teeth. What causes tooth decay? A mixture of bacteria in the mouth is often combined with poor dental hygiene. Consuming lots of sugary foods and drinks helps bacteria to thrive. If you’re not brushing your teeth thoroughly, decay will set in.
If caught early, fluoride treatments may be able to reverse decay. For more serious decay, you may need to see a dentist to consider options like fillings, crowns, or a root canal. Don’t let decay get too bad; otherwise, you may have to lose a tooth!
Discoloration
Discoloration is another common dental concern. It can make many of us embarrassed of our smile and is often linked with decay. Many foods can stain the teeth, including coffee, red wine, and berries. Sugary foods and drinks can contribute to yellowing of the teeth, while heavy smoking may eventually turn teeth brown. Good oral hygiene may combat discoloration in the early stages, but more progressive discoloration may only be treatable by using whitening products or by considering procedures like laser tooth whitening.
Misalignment
Few of us have perfectly aligned teeth. Many of us have gaps, overcrowding, bucked teeth, or an unusual bite. This not only affects the appearance of our teeth but can make it harder to brush them properly, increasing the chance of cavities. Tooth misalignment is often out of our control and is the result of how our adult teeth come through – some people are lucky to naturally have perfect teeth, while other people’s teeth come through at odd angles.
An orthodontist can help to straighten your teeth if they are misaligned. If you don’t like the idea of traditional braces, you may be able to look into dental aligners, which consist of a removable plastic retainer instead of fixed metal wires. Misalignment as a dental concern could require traditional braces for serious cases.
Sensitivity
A lot of people have sensitive teeth that can become painful when exposed to certain temperatures or foods. Tooth sensitivity is often the result of worn enamel and can be accompanied by white spots on the teeth. This can be from eating foods that cause decay, grinding teeth, or even from brushing teeth too hard. Desensitizing toothpastes are recommended if you have sensitive teeth. Fluoride treatments may also be able to help repair enamel damage in the early stages and reduce sensitivity.
Grinding
Also known as ‘bruxism’, teeth grinding is when teeth grind together, often at night while asleep. This can lead to jaw pain, headaches, and sensitive teeth. Teeth grinding can have many causes, including stress, anxiety, or even sleep apnea, contributing to dental concerns related to grinding. While some people grind their teeth while awake, most people do it at night without even knowing they are doing it. Wearing a mouthguard or splint at night can help prevent damage and pain caused by grinding teeth. A dentist can prescribe one of these. Reducing stress may also help to reduce teeth grinding.
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