Jump to a Dental Problem
- Attrition and Erosion Section
- Oral Cancer Section
- Cavities & Tooth Decay Section
- Chipped Teeth Section
- Bad Breath (Halitosis) Section
- Teeth Grinding (Bruxism) Section
- Sores Section
- Gingivitis Section
- Toothaches Section
- Sensitive Teeth Section
- TMJ & TMD Section
- Dry Mouth Section
- Dental Cysts Section
13 of the Most Common Dental Problems
Attrition, Erosion, and Fractures
Teeth lose surface area over time through erosion, but a number of bad habits such as nail biting or teeth grinding can help speed up the process of deteriorating tooth structure. By age 12, nearly 1/5 of people have already eroded their teeth enough that at least 1 surface has the dentin layer exposed. Good oral hygiene and preventative dental care are your best defenses against the attrition and erosion of your teeth.
Cavities & Tooth Decay
Often called dental caries, cavities and tooth decay can leave you without any teeth when they are left untreated. After plaque has set onto teeth, it produces acid that eats away at tooth structure when you eat. Damage caused by cavities is irreversible as of now, so the best plan of action is prevention through good oral hygiene habits. Much of tooth decay can be avoided by practicing proper tooth brushing techniques.
Toothaches
Toothache pain can be your worst enemy. The excruciating pain of a toothache can be caused by many reasons, but the most common cause is from severe tooth decay. Severe toothache is considered a dental emergency, and should be treated immediately by a dentist to relieve the pain. If you are unable to get immediate, professional treatment for a toothache, there are some home remedies such as: rinsing with salt + warm water, applying ice to inflamed gum tissue, taking an over the counter pain medication (do not apply directly to toothache and never take aspirin when there is bleeding), eating ginger or garlic root, or applying clove, sunflower, or sesame oil directly to the affected tooth.
Bad Breath (Halitosis)
Many problems can lead to bad breath (halitosis). Smoking, Diabetes, nasal and oral infections, cavities and gum disease, and dry mouth are some of the leading causes of this common dental issue, but bad breath can be the result of a short term issue such as food particles being stuck between your teeth or from a chronic problem in which the underlying cause needs to be treated. Mouth wash is an effective level of preliminary defense against halitosis, but your best option may be to visit your dentist if the condition is persistent.
Chipped Teeth
Chipped teeth are the most common dental injury seen today. Teeth can be chipped or broken in a number of ways including: trauma to the head, cavities or tooth decay, biting down on something hard, using teeth to open packages or hold objects, having old amalgam fillings, and from Bruxism or teeth grinding. Depending on the severity of the chip, the repair process can be as simple as bonding or filling the tooth, or severe cases may need a root canal or dental crown to be properly treated. To help avoid chipped teeth, avoid activities such as: grinding or clenching teeth, chewing on hard objects, not wearing a mouth guard for physical sports, getting into fights, or opening objects using your teeth.
Chipped Tooth restored with Dental Crown
Tooth Sensitivity
Sensitive teeth in themselves may not be a serious issue in themselves, but the underlying problem may be cause for concern. Exposed roots, exposure to heat and cold, eating sour food, teeth that are cracked, and gum disease can all lead to teeth becoming overly sensitive. If your teeth are unreasonably sensitive or causing you pain, then you should see a dentist to figure out the underlying cause of the issue.
Oral Cancer
Close to 50,000 cases of oral cancer are diagnosed every year. Smoking tobacco, excessive consumption of alcohol, having Human Papillomavirus (HPV), and those with a family history of cancer are risk factors that increase the chances of developing the disease. When caught early enough, oral cancer can be simple to fix. It often manifests itself as white or red patches in the mouth and can go unnoticed because they are not necessarily painful or bothersome at first.
Cancerous growths in the oral cavity can cause a number of odd symptoms as the disease progresses including: numbness in the face, mouth or neck, swollen lumps or eroded areas on the lips or in the mouth, unexplained bleeding in or around the mouth, persistent sores that easily bleed and do not heal within 2 weeks, the feeling that something is stuck in the throat, difficulty in speaking or chewing properly, unexplained pain in the ear, or dramatic weight loss. Stay on top of your oral health with regular screenings from your dentist. We use state of the art dental CT scans for the early detection of oral cancers.
Bruxism – Teeth Grinding
Teeth grinding is a deadly habit for the health of your teeth. It is most commonly caused by having crooked teeth or being stressed out. Bruxism typically occurs during sleep and can be prevented with the use a mouth guard to be worn while sleeping. If misaligned teeth are the cause of the issue, they can be straightened out to correct the grinding.
TMJ & TMD – Tempromandibular Joint Disorders
The Tempromandibular Joint (TMJ) is the complex joint that connects the lower jaw to the skull. Tempromandibular Disorders (TMD) can be caused by many factors and can cause symptoms such as clicking or popping in the jaw, aching in the face or neck, and difficulty opening/closing the lower jaw. TMD can come from many potential causes such as bruxism, arthritis, trauma to the jaw, or malocclusion (misalignment) of the teeth or lower jaw. Treatments for TMD involve pain relievers, muscle relaxers, wearing a teeth guard, stress relief & relaxation techniques, and changing your diet to accompany more soft foods.
Sores
Sores come in two varieties: canker sores and cold sores from herpes. Canker sores are caused by a large number of factors, usually last around 2 weeks time, and are not contagious. Cold sores from herpes recur much more often, are contagious through touch, and mostly do not have a cure. Spicy and acidic foods can cause irritation for a sore and should be avoided until it fully heals.
Gingivitis (Early Stage Gum Disease)
Gum Disease is one of the leading causes of tooth loss in adults. Gingivitis is a milder form of the disease while Periodontitis is the more progressed, irreversible stage of gum disease that may result in the loss of teeth. The early stages of gum disease can be treated with deep cleaning techniques, and a rigorous oral hygiene routine that involves the usual: twice daily brushing, flossing at least once daily, balance in your diet, and visiting the dentist every 6 months or sooner. Periodontal disease typically begins to show after age 30 but its prevalence is affected by many more factors than just age. Smoking, diabetes, and dry mouth all contribute significantly to the occurrence of gum disease.
Dry Mouth
The condition of dry mouth (also known as Xerostomia) can negatively impact many aspects of your overall health when the production of saliva is too low. This is caused by many factors, but is caused as a side effect of medication in many people.
Dental Cysts
A dental cyst is an enclosed cavity filled with liquid or semi-solid material. Many types of Oral Cysts are generally not life threatening, but can cause major issues when left untreated to grow. Although dental cysts can affect everyone, they are much less common in those with good oral hygiene habits. Healthy teeth rarely ever have cysts growing near or around them.
45 Years Experienced Oxnard Dentist at Carson & Carson, DDS
Dental problems affect everyone to a different degree, but good dental habits can help prevent a large variety of common dental issues from ever occurring. A solid oral hygiene routine can save you a lot of time and hundreds of thousands of dollars down the line and involves: flossing daily, brushing at least twice a day, eating a well balanced diet, and visiting your dentist every 6 months at the minimum. While many of the common dental problems discussed here are not serious in themselves, some of them can lead to life threatening complications when left untreated.
At Carson & Carson DDS, our two dentists have over 60 years of combined experience among the 9 major dental specialties. We have offered affordable dental services since 1970, and have many great reviews to show for our years of service. Our Oxnard dental clinic is open 24 hours a day for emergency dental treatment. Give us a call today to get treatment for your common dental problem at Carson & Carson, DDS in Oxnard California (805)983-0717. Find a dentist near me.
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