The Most Common Dental Problems

1. Bad Breath

Bad breath, also called halitosis, is the most common dental problem. You might not think of bad breath as a “dental” problem but 85% of people with persistent bad breath have a dental condition to blame, such as gum disease, cavities, oral cancer, dry mouth, or bacteria on the tongue. Brushing your teeth, tongue, and using mouthwash are great places to start but if you suffer from chronic bad breath, visit a dentist to rule out any other dental problems.

2. Tooth Decay

We touched on tooth decay in our last blog post. Behind the common cold, tooth decay is the second most prevalent disease in the United States. It occurs when plaque forms on our teeth and combines with the food we eat to produce acids that attack tooth enamel. Prevent tooth decay by brushing twice a day, flossing, and going to regular dental checkups.

3. Gum Disease

Gum disease, scientifically known as periodontal disease, is quite possibly one of the most serious dental problems because it is commonly linked to heart attacks and strokes. Gum disease is an infection in the gums surrounding the teeth and is one of the main causes of tooth loss among adults.

4. Oral Cancer

The Oral Cancer Foundation estimates that someone in the US dies every hour from oral cancer and that there over 300,000 new cases of oral cancer diagnosed every year, worldwide. This serious and deadly dental disease that affects the mouth, lips, or throat, is highly curable if diagnosed and treated in the early stages.

5. Mouth Sores

Mouth sores, such as canker sores, fever blisters, cold sores, and ulcers, are bothersome but they don’t usually last more than two weeks and disappear on their own. Contact your dentist for medication and treatment.

6. Tooth Sensitivity

Tooth sensitivity means experiencing tooth pain or discomfort from sweets, cold air, hot or cold drinks, or ice cream. Some people’s teeth are so sensitive that they hurt when they brush or floss. There are certain toothpastes to help control tooth sensitivity and your dentist will know what to do to help.

7. Unattractive Smile

This is not technically a “dental problem” and is definitely not as serious as the others on this list but people who are unhappy with their smile consider this a dental issue and it’s one of the major reasons why patients seek dental treatment. With today’s dental technology, a beautiful smile is within reach! Whether it’s teeth whitening, dental implants, or cosmetic dental work, your dentist can give you the smile you’ve always wanted!