What are your teeth telling you? Common dental problems are things that most Americans will have to deal with at some point in their lives. Thankfully, advances in modern dentistry make resolving these issues simple, provided you regularly visit a dentist.
In this blog, we examine some of the most common dental problems we see in the business, what they mean, and how to talk about them to your dentist.
5 Common Dental Problems We See Every Day
Toothaches
Got a toothache? While toothache is one of the more common dental problems, they can often indicate underlying problems that you should get checked out. While your first thought may be “cavities”, they are only one possible answer to the pain you feel in your teeth. Toothaches can be attributed to a variety of different ailments, such as a cracked tooth, infected gums, damaged fillings, grinding teeth, and more. In general, you should schedule an appointment to see a dentist if your toothache lasts longer than a day or two.
Dentists will be able to properly diagnose the cause of your toothache, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t come prepared. Have you sustained any trauma to your teeth that may have caused it? How would you describe the type of toothache pain that you are experiencing? These questions can help pinpoint the root cause of your dental pain, and help alleviate it faster.
While you wait to see the dentist, several options are available. A cold compress or anti-inflammatories can help reduce the pain.
Bleeding Gums
If you brush your teeth normally, you shouldn’t see any pink on the brush or in the sink. When you do, it can indicate several things.
First things first: if you brush your teeth regularly and start to see blood, you may be brushing your teeth too rigorously. If you’re using an electric toothbrush, you don’t need to apply a great deal of pressure to see good results. Bleeding gums can also indicate underlying factors, some of which include vitamin deficiencies, diabetes, and some cancers.
If your toothbrush is pink and you brush your teeth infrequently, this is likely to be gum disease. When caught early, the first stage – gingivitis – can be treated and cured. When left untreated for too long, however, it can develop into periodontitis, a manageable but uncurable form of gum disease that can result in tooth loss.
But if you see blood on your toothbrush, don’t panic – just call a dentist near you. They can help assess the source of your bleeding gums.
Tooth Sensitivity
If you drink coffee or eat ice cream and feel pain in your teeth related to the temperature, you may have tooth sensitivity. Like the other symptoms mentioned above, tooth sensitivity can be related to a swath of underlying factors. It may signal the erosion of enamel on your teeth, the protective layer that makes them the hardest mineral in your both. It may indicate that you are grinding your teeth at night, a symptom of stress that can wear down your teeth over time and cause tooth misalignment and pain. Or it may be related to a cavity or abscess underneath your gums.
Regardless of the cause, it is helpful to see a dentist to get this checked out and resolved.
Jaw Pain
Got a sore jaw? Jaw pain is normally caused by problems related to your temporomandibular joint, often shortened to TMJ. Over time, it may become difficult to speak and swallow food, and can even cause headaches and neck pain. Generally, jaw pain is related to grinding teeth, which is symptomatic of stress and can be resolved by wearing a night guard, and can be treated with exercises targeting the jaw. It may also be a sign of arthritis, or misaligned teeth. A dentist can help determine the cause.
Bad Breath
Sure, garlic and onions are one way you can get bad breath, but what about after you brush your teeth? While bad breath might not be an obvious indicator of dental maladies, they can signal issues such as tooth decay or gum disease, which will need to be treated by a dentist. It also can be a sign of some oral cancers, making it important to schedule frequent visits to the dentist.
Worried About Common Dental Problems? Call a Dentist Near You
While minor tooth pain and bad breath might not seem urgent, they can indicate underlying problems that may be serious. However, many common dental problems are simple to treat with good dental hygiene and regularly scheduled visits.
Are you having issues with common dental problems? Contact us today to learn more about how Treasured Smiles Adult and Cosmetic Dentistry can help you!