Almost everyone faces a dental problem at some point in their lives. Sometimes dental issues are caused by the care you take of your teeth, or lack of, while other times they are caused simply by your heredity. The good news is that advances in dental care have made going to the dentist nearly pain free. Dental problems are never any fun, but most of them can be easily prevented. Brushing twice a day, flossing daily, eating properly and regular dental check ups are essential in preventing dental problems. Some of the most common dental problems seen today are :
- Tooth Decay
Tooth decay occurs when plaque, the sticky substance that forms on teeth, combines with the sugars and / or starches of the food we eat. This combination produces acids that attack tooth enamel. The best way to prevent tooth decay is by brushing twice a day, flossing daily and going to your regular dental check up. Eating healthy foods and avoiding snacks and drinks that are high in sugar are also ways to prevent decay.
Ways to care for teeth decay:
-Brush Your Teeth
-Floss Daily
-Eat Healthy
-Visit Your Dentist
-Have Sealants Placed
-Use a Mouthwash
-Chew (Sugarless) Gum!
2.Gum (Periodontal) Disease
Gum disease is an infection in the gums surrounding the teeth. Gum disease is also one of the main causes of tooth loss among adults. There are two major stages of gum disease: gingivitis and periodontitis. Regular dental checkups along with brushing at least twice a day and flossing daily play an important role in preventing gum disease. Studies have shown that periodontal disease, also known as gum disease, is linked to heart attacks and strokes.
Ways to care and prevent gum disease
-Brush your teeth two times a day, in the morning and before bedtime, using fluoride toothpaste. Clean all sides of your teeth, and also brush your tongue. Plaque on the tongue can cause bad breath and is an ideal environment for bacteria. If you can't brush, chew sugar-free gum, especially one with xylitol.
-Try an electric toothbrush that has a rotating and oscillating (back-and-forth) action. This type of toothbrush is better at removing plaque than a regular toothbrush
-Use an antiseptic mouthwash or antiplaque mouthwash.
-Floss once a day. Any type of floss works, so choose a type you like. Curve the floss around each tooth into a U-shape, and gently slide it under the gum line. Move the floss firmly up and down several times to scrape off the plaque.
-Use disclosing tablets periodically so you can see if you are brushing effectively. Disclosing tablets are chewable and will color any plaque left on the teeth after brushing. They are available at most drugstores.
See your dentist regularly as recommended to have your teeth cleaned and checked.
3.Tooth Sensitivity
Tooth sensitivity is a common problem that affects millions of people. Basically, tooth sensitivity means experiencing pain or discomfort to your teeth from sweets, cold air, hot drinks, cold drinks or ice cream. Some people with sensitive teeth even experience discomfort from brushing and flossing. The good news is that sensitive teeth can be treated.
There are two types of tooth sensitivity:
Dentinal sensitivity occurs when the dentin (middle layer) of a tooth is exposed. Normally, the dentin is covered by enamel above the gum line and by cementum below the gum line. Dentin is made up of tiny openings called tubules. Inside each tubule lies a nerve branch that comes from the tooth's pulp (the nerve center of the tooth). When the dentin is exposed, cold or hot temperature or pressure can affect these nerve branches. This causes sensitivity.
Dentinal sensitivity occurs when the outer protective layers of enamel or cementum are removed, exposing the dentin. It can affect one or more teeth. Some causes of dentin exposure include:
...Brushing your teeth too hard. This wears away the enamel layer.
...Poor oral hygiene. This may allow tartar to build up at the gum line.
...Long-term tooth wear
...Untreated cavities
...An old filling with a crack or leak
...Receding gums that expose the tooth's roots. Receding gums often are caused by periodontal diseases or by brushing too hard.
....Gum surgery that exposes a tooth's roots
....Tooth whitening in people who have tooth roots that already are exposed
....Frequently eating acidic foods or drinking acidic beverages
Pulpal sensitivity is a reaction of the tooth's pulp. The pulp is a mass of blood vessels and nerves in the center of each tooth. Pulpal sensitivity tends to affect only a single tooth. Causes include:
....Decay or infection
....A recent filling
....Excessive pressure from clenching or grinding
....A cracked or broken tooth
If you feel a sharp pain upon biting, you may have a broken or cracked filling. Pain when you release a bite is a sign of a cracked tooth.
Ways to care and prevent tooth sensitivity
Dentinal sensitivity is quite treatable, whatever the cause.
Your dentist or dental hygienist will clean your teeth. If your teeth are too sensitive to be cleaned, your dentist may use a local anesthetic or before the cleaning.nitrous oxide
After a cleaning, your dentist may apply a fluoride varnish to protect your teeth. This temporarily reduces sensitivity. It also strengthens your teeth. Your dentist may apply an in-office treatment for sensitivity. These products block the openings (tubules) in your teeth and reduce sensitivity. A newer approach is to use a dental laser. The laser treatment also alters the tubules to reduce sensitivity.
Using fluoride toothpastes and fluoride mouth rinses at home also will help to reduce sensitivity. Toothpastes are available just for sensitive teeth.
Talk to your dentist about which fluoride rinses you should use. Some over-the-counter rinses are acidic. Others are not. You should choose a fluoride mouth rinse that uses neutral sodium fluoride.
Pulpal sensitivity will be treated with a root canal if the tooth's nerve is damaged or dying. The nerve will be removed and a non-reactive substance (gutta percha) will be placed in the space where the nerve was. The tooth no longer will have a continuous protective enamel barrier. Therefore it will be restored with either a composite filling or a crown.
To reduce pain due to grinding or clenching, the dentist will make a plastic night guard that you should use while you sleep.