Your teeth and gums are great at what they do, but their position in your body means that they are subject to many internal and external stressors. Common dental problems can be easily addressed when you follow good dental hygiene practices, but they’re a lot more complicated if you put off going to a dentist or not getting the routine care you need. A small dental problem today could be major procedure years from now.
Gum Disease
Many people focus on problems with your teeth, but the truth is, your gums can develop many issues as well. When you get food stuck between your teeth or in pockets that form between the tooth and the gum, you’re giving the bacteria a buffet to grow on. As the bacteria infect your gums, they can grow irritated and turn red. It’s common for a toothbrush to draw blood when your gums are this irritated, and that can be a frustrating and painful experience.
Cavities are Common Dental Problems
Cavities are among the most well known common dental problems, but do you know what one is? When bacteria get past your protective enamel and enters the inside of your tooth, it can start causing a decaying process. This literally creates “cavities” in your tooth, as the bacteria create these holes. The dentist can use a special dental filling to fill these cavities up and remove the bacteria from the inside of your tooth.
Tartar
Another way that bacteria like to cause problems for your smile is through tartar. If you ever touched your teeth before you brush them in the morning or at night, you might feel something filmy. This is literally bacteria that is sitting on the surface of your tooth. If you let it sit there for long enough, then it hardens into plaque. Tartar, you can remove yourself, but plaque is not the same.
Poor Oral Hygiene
Staying on top of an oral hygiene routine can be difficult. Busy schedules can lead to the mornings being rushed, so you’re running out the door to make it to errands, school, work, appointments, and other activities. It’s easy to put this on the back burner if you’ve always had good teeth, but it will catch up to you given a long enough period. Poor oral hygiene can cause:
- Bad breath
- Cavities
- Gum disease
- Tooth infection
Missing or Broken Teeth
Accidents happen, and they may result in your tooth getting broken or falling out. While this situation is a stressful one, your dentist will help with these common dental problems. Ideally, you would be able to save a tooth that has fallen out so that your dentist can put it back into place. Other dental concerns, such as chipped teeth, may require different repair methods.
Misaligned Teeth
You may have teeth that get out of alignment as you get older, as your jaw and teeth shift over time. Wisdom teeth also tend to do a number on the surrounding teeth, which is one reason why they get removed so often. The most common treatment for misaligned teeth is dental braces. A dentist and an orthodontist will likely be able to help choose the option right for you.
Get Help from Lovett Dental Piney Point
Common dental problems happen to many people, so there’s no need to feel upset or embarrassed that you’re experiencing them. Before they become a much bigger problem, treating these issues early on helps you avoid bigger procedures or oral surgery. Some of the other services we offer:
Your dentist is happy to go over all of your treatment options, and you will be back and smiling larger than ever after your appointment. Contact us at 832-242-2030 to get your dental appointment on our schedule.
