Introduction:
In recent times, dental caries, periodontal diseases, and oral cancer have been common phenomena. In fact, India ranks among the top 5 countries with the highest oral cancer rates at this moment. Yet, the citizens still practice poor dental hygiene and are mostly unaware of the consequences. With the increase in prices of all kinds of services, the healthcare industry has also suffered its share of inflation. But the technological and pharmaceutical developments have made seeking dental care quite accessible. For example, an expensive procedure like a root canal treatment in Kolkata has become more easily affordable in recent years. Prevention is still way better than cure, and it stands true for dental hygiene too. But to maintain hygiene, one should know some of the most common dental issues faced by people. This will help in diagnosing the problems at the earliest and seek proper help.
Most common dental problems:
Dental issues may seem trivial at first, but they can soon become a person’s worst nightmare. Knowing the signs and consulting a good dentist is very important for practising good dental care. Some of the troubles most people might be suffering from are listed below.
Bad breath or halitosis
What causes it?
According to medical research, about 85% of patients suffering from bad breath have some kind of dental problem behind it. Dry mouth, gum problems, cavities, gingivitis, periodontitis, tongue bacteria, and oral cancer are the top reasons for bad breath. The condition is scientifically known as halitosis. Non-oral causes like respiratory problems – bronchitis, bronchiectasis, and lung infections can also cause bad breath. Other reasons behind it may also include:
- Gastrointestinal problems
- Ear, nose, throat (ENT) infections
- Addiction problems
- Strong medications like calcium channel blockers, phenytoin, and cyclosporin
Are there any solutions?
Regular dental care like brushing twice daily, using a mouthwash, and flossing the teeth is vital to help with bad breath. But chronic bad breath indicates one should seek the help of a dentist. If you are searching for the best dental health centres nearby, browse ‘dental restoration near me.
Tooth decay and cavities:
Possible reasons behind it:
Harmful bacteria in the mouth form a sticky substance known as plaque which clings to the teeth. It reacts with:
- sugar
- carbohydrates
- starch
These are the substances one intake that forms a highly acidic compound in the mouth. It attacks the tooth enamel and causes cavities. In the worst cases, the affected teeth are restored by dental fillings. They can develop at any age. Mostly, it happens early in childhood, but even as an adult, as one grows older, the uppermost layer of the teeth starts to erode. Another leading cause behind tooth decay is a dry mouth that can occur due to age or medications. Cavities or caries have always been one of the most prevalent health issues. Tooth decay can rapidly worsen and spread to the neighboring teeth. So contacting a dentist is of the essence in such cases. Regular dental checkups should be able to identify the risk of cavities, if there was any. In taking healthy food and avoiding snacks and junk food can help reduce the building of plaque. Drinks high in carbon and sugar may also add to the problem, so it is best to avoid them. Dentists will be able to suggest better cures and preventive measures to contain the cavities.
Tooth sensitivity and root canal:
What is tooth sensitivity?
People suffering from tooth sensitivity often experience pain or discomfort from air contact, sweets, cold drinks, hot drinks, and ice cream. Discomfort can also be caused by improper brushing and flossing. Tooth sensitivity can also signify cracked teeth that one needs to fill up, or a root canal might be necessary. A tooth abscess requires to be taken seriously to avoid losing a tooth or ending up with an infected jaw bone.
Why is urgent dental care necessary? (Makes no sense)
Urgent dental care is of utmost importance to prevent tooth sensitivity from spreading into something even worse. Identifying the source is essential, and in some cases, the pulpy part of a tooth is removed as a treatment. Hence, root canal treatment in Kolkata is often suggested.
Periodontal (gum) diseases:
What are the risk factors involved?
The gums around the teeth can easily be infected and lead to the loss of teeth, usually in adulthood. (Getting false teeth has become a standard treatment nowadays to prevent further damage.(makes no sense) A dry mouth helps the bacteria in the mouth to grow and stick to the teeth. This promotes gum infection. Even diabetes is said to put one at an increased risk of gum diseases. Widespread awareness about the hazards of smoking does not help reduce its use amongst the population. The addiction to smoking substances is alarmingly high. It can cause severe gum problems that can get worse after a period of festering:
- Bad breath
- Painful chewing
- Swollen or tender gums
- Bleeding gums
- Receding gums
- Tooth sensitivity
- Abscessed tooth
How to treat gum diseases:
Learning proper gum and tongue care is essential for dental health. Regular dental checkups can help prevent any gum-related disaster. Brushing twice a day and flossing are everyday gum care activities. Some studies have also linked cardiac complications to gum problems. The swollen gums may cause a chronic inflammatory response in another part of the body. It increases the risk of a heart attack & Infective Endocarditic. Gingivitis and periodontal diseases are the two significant stages of gum diseases—symptoms of any of these call for early consultation with a dentist to prevent any further complications. In the case of tooth loss, well-made and affordable dentures in Harinavi are easily accessible to help protect the sensitive gum area.
Oral Cancer:
What are the symptoms?
Unfortunately, the deadliest disease in this list appears in fifth place among the most common dental problems. Smoking and chewing tobacco are the most common causes of this outbreak. Oral cancer can kill a person within a year, if not treated. Oral cancer can develop in any of these parts of the mouth:
- Lips
- Gums
- Tongue
- The inner lining of the cheeks
- The floor of the mouth
- The roof of the mouth
The symptoms of oral cancer may include:
- A mouth sore that is not healing for more than 3 weeks
- A mouth tumour or a lump growing inside
- A patch inside the mouth appearing to be whitish or reddish in colour
- Multiple loose teeth
- Difficulty in often swallowing because of pain
- Mouth pain
- Ear pain
What to do?
In the case of persisting signs and symptoms, one should immediately consult a dentist for quick identification. Any condition that lasts for more than three weeks should be reported, and regular checkups will help get assistance as early as possible. The best preventive measures against oral cancer can be:
- Avoiding all kinds of smoking. Using tobacco products in any form is also out of the question as they play a crucial role in placing cancer-causing elements in the mouth.
- Excessive alcohol consumption can make one vulnerable to mouth ulcers. If one is drinking at all, drinking in moderation is advised for everyone, irrespective of age.
- Excessive exposure of mouthparts to the sun should be avoided. It can cause oral cancer. Wearing hats and applying sunblock creams or sunscreens on the face, including the lips, are essential to look after yourself.
- A professional dentist can identify precancerous changes, especially the abnormal growth of cells and tissues. It helps them determine the path of treatment for the best results. So regular dental checkups are also essential.
Tooth discolouration or stained tooth:
What can cause tooth discolouration?
Tooth stains can be caused by poor lifestyle choices like:
- Drinks like coffee, tea, cola, and wine may be the cause behind stained teeth. Also, food items like pasta or potatoes – those heavy in starch content – may worsen tooth discolouration.
- Once again, smoking or chewing tobacco can cause yet another dental problem like tooth discolouration.
Other than that, dental health complications can cause tooth stains:
- Poor dental hygiene makes the mouth a breeding place for bacteria. It is the leading cause behind most dental complications, including stained teeth.
- Specific medical treatments for particular diseases may cause discolouration. Besides, conditions that prevent the natural growth of teeth enamel and dentin may also support discolouration of the teeth.
- Ageing and genetics may not let the teeth not develop enamel anymore.
- Amalgam restoration dental products containing silver sulphide can give the teeth a darker shade.
How to cure discolouration?
A possible way to cure discolouration is teeth whitening. It is a procedure done by dentists, taking special care to make the teeth appear several shades lighter. If you want to opt for professional teeth whitening nearby, search ‘teeth whitening & restoration near me.’ The results will open up several options you can choose from.
Conclusion:
It is essential to know the most common dental problems people face nowadays. This helps in detecting any abnormalities as early as possible and uprooting them entirely. Otherwise, the problem may persist and worsen.
