7 Common Dental Problems and Treatments

Dental Cavities. OUCH, OOOH . . . the common toothache! Such dental problem usually comes about at the most inconvenient time of early morning when nothing is stirring but that ‘throbbing’ tooth! Treatment may be as simple as cleaning out decay and filling the hole.

Gingivitis or Periodontitis. This dental problem can make you ‘see red’ — on your toothbrush! The cause is gum disease, otherwise called Gingivitis or Periodontal disease. Treatment is simple if caught early. A professional and thorough dental cleaning twice a year or perhaps scaling (scraping) the plaque and tartar above and below the gum line and planing (smoothing) the rough spots on the tooth root so gum can reattach to the teeth. A do-it-yourself remedy to stop inflammation is to gargle (don’t swallow) with salt water to bring down inflammation.

Dry Mouth. This dental problem could be ‘hard to swallow’ but truth is, dry mouth is the result of inadequate saliva production and is officially called Xerostomia. Lack of saliva brings greater risk of tooth decay, gum disease, and bad breath. Treatment is as simple as drinking more water to keep mouth moist, using a fluoride toothpaste and fluoride mouth rinse, sucking on sugar-free candies or gum, and a room vaporizer to put moisture into the air.

Bad Breath. Bad Breath can turn heads — away from you! The medical term is Halitosis and is generally caused by bad oral hygiene habits or that strong tuna with onion sandwich for lunch or pizza with garlic sauce. Smoking, of course, brings bad breath as it dries the mouth of the saliva that washes away bacterial plaque and tartar. Best treatment is brushing and flossing regularly, keep mouth moist, and keep to those regular dental check-ups and professional cleanings!

Enamel Erosion. Common dental problem caused by excessive drinking of citrus drinks or soda or over brushing with other than a soft bristled brush. Treatment as simple as switching to drinking water and less of sugary soda and citrus drinks, changing your toothbrush every three months to ensure bristles are not worn down, and always use soft bristles. If need be, use a battery powered toothbrush so as not to brush too hard.

Bruxism. The dental problem of Bruxism, clenching and grinding of teeth, may be due to the ‘daily grind’ of tensions and stress of the day or an abnormal or misaligned bite. Braces may be the remedy for misaligned teeth or a mouth guard prescribed and to be worn between the teeth while sleeping.

Teeth Sensitivity. This is a dental problem of teeth being sensitive to hot or cold foods and drinks. Treatment may be as simple as switching to toothpaste, such as Sensodyne, designed for sensitive teeth. Application of a fluoride treatment to teeth, especially near to the gum line, may help sensitive teeth.

For more information or to schedule an appointment with Smile by Design Dental Group, request an appointment in our Irvine dental office here: https://www.implantdentistirvine.com. Or call us at (949) 786-2820.