Maintaining dental and oral health is crucial not only for your mouth but also for your overall health. However, many people still experience many dental and oral health problems that could affect their quality of life. Dental problems are a health concern that can affect anyone regardless of age, but the good news is that most are treatable, especially if detected early.
The first step to maintaining your dental and oral health is to know the early signs and symptoms of dental or oral health issues. Sensitivity in the teeth or sudden pain when biting down can be a sign of a cavity. The sooner you make a dental appointment, the better the chances of early diagnosis and treatment will be.
Here are the dental health issues most likely to cause you to make an appointment with a dentist:
A Loose or Shaky tooth
Your teeth can move a little bit, especially if you have had braces in the past, but your adult teeth should be stable and well supported by your bone structure and gums. If you see that any of your teeth are suddenly loose or shifting out of place, you should see your dentist.
A loose tooth can be a sign of a big underlying problem, especially if you see bleeding or receding gums. Here are some of the possible causes:
- Dental Abscess
A dental abscess is a localized bacterial infection that typically develops within your tooth or around the gums. Common causes of this problem include gum disease, untreated cavities, or dental trauma (fractured or cracked tooth). Depending on the severity of your dental abscess, your dentist could recommend any of the following treatments to fix your problem:
- Drainage of the abscess (pus) — Your dentist will make a small cut in the infected area of your gums to drain the infectious pus and promote the healing of your tooth. Once the dentist drains out the pus, he/she will disinfect the area with an antibiotic to prevent the infection from progressing
- Root canal therapy — If the infection has reached the pulp chamber of your tooth, containing blood vessels and nerves, your dentist will recommend root canal therapy. In this procedure, your dentist will remove the infected pulp of your tooth after numbing it to minimize discomfort. Then he/she will disinfect the canal (hollow space on your tooth) before filling it using gutta-percha (rubber-like material)
- Antibiotics — In case of systemic symptoms or severe infection, your dentist could recommend antibiotics to help keep the infection at bay
- Tooth extraction — If your dentist recommends the extraction of your tooth, it means the infection is severe, and it is impossible to save your tooth using the above treatments
- Advanced Gum Disease (Periodontitis)
Also known as advanced gum disease, periodontitis is a common oral infection that affects and damages your gums and supporting tissues. Without treatment, periodontitis can cause alveolar bone erosion, leading to tooth loosening or even tooth loss. Below are examples of treatments your dentist could recommend if you have advanced periodontitis:
- Practicing excellent dental and oral health
- Scaling and root planing
- Antibiotic medications
- Periodontal surgery, like gum grafts
Unless the cause of your tooth loss is facial trauma, these conditions typically cause gradual loosening. When left untreated, these oral health issues could eventually lead to the loss of the affected tooth.
Persistent Toothache
Another most obvious indicator that you need to see a dentist is a persistent toothache or any kind of dental pain that lingers for a while. A constantly aching tooth could make it difficult to perform your daily activities or even enjoy life. Even if your tooth pain is dull or mild, you should not ignore it because it is a symptom of an underlying dental health issue. The most common causes of tooth pain include the following:
- A decayed tooth
- Tooth abscess
- Gum disease
- Cracked tooth
- Nerve inflammation
- Enamel erosion and exposed dentin
If you have a persistent tooth pain problem, you should consult with a dentist for a precise diagnosis to determine the root cause of your problem. Ignoring a toothache can lead to severe complications and other systemic health issues, especially if the cause is a dental abscess.
While over-the-counter painkillers can help alleviate the pain, they will not fix the root cause of your problem. That is why it is advisable to consult a dentist as soon as possible if you have a persistent toothache, to avoid the problem worsening and other oral health issues. The specific treatment your dentist will recommend will vary, depending on the root cause of your problem.
For example, if the cause of your persistent toothache is a dental abscess, your dentist will recommend various treatments mentioned in the previous paragraph.
Chipped, Fractured, or Cracked Tooth
If you chip, fracture, or crack a tooth, it is essential to see a dentist to evaluate the extent of the problem and determine the appropriate treatment. Your tooth enamel is very strong and highly mineralized, but it does have its limits and could crack when you experience a blunt force around your mouth area. The most common causes of a tooth chip, or crack include the following:
- Sports injuries
- Falls or car accidents
- Grinding of your teeth when you are asleep
- Piercing of the mouth and
- Any food that is hard to chew
If your tooth is fractured or broken, you will most likely experience sharp pain, especially when biting or chewing food. Even a minor chip in a tooth needs to be examined by a dentist because it may progress to the tooth’s pulp chamber, leading to a dental abscess, a cavity, and other health issues if left untreated. However, how will you know that your tooth is chipped or cracked?
While a chipped tooth may not cause symptoms, an extended crack could manifest in different ways. Below are common signs that you have a tooth fracture or crack:
- Sensitivity to cold or hot food and beverages
- Sharp pain when chewing or biting foods
- Presence of sharp edges on your tooth that your tongue can feel
- Visible crack line on your tooth
Depending on the severity of your tooth fracture or crack, your dentist may recommend any of the following treatments:
- Dental bonding — In this procedure, your dentist applies composite resin to the affected tooth to restore its shape and appearance
- Your dentist is more likely to recommend this treatment if you have a minor tooth chip
- Dental contouring — For minor chips that you can feel with your tongue, the dentist will recommend smoothing out the sharp edges through a procedure known as “dental contouring”
- A dental crown — For moderate tooth cracks or fractures, a dental crown would be an excellent remedy. A dental crown is a customized, ceramic- or porcelain-made, tooth-shaped cap that your dentist fits on top of the affected tooth to protect it from further damage and improve its functions
- Dental veneers — Dental veneers are custom-made plastic or porcelain veneers that your dentist fits on the front surface of your tooth to mask minor chips or fractures and improve the aesthetic appearance of your smile
- Root canal therapy — If the tooth crack extends to the inner part of your tooth (pulp chamber), leading to an infection, root canal therapy would be an excellent remedy for the issue to remove the infected pulp materials
- Tooth extraction — If your tooth roots are severely damaged and root canal therapy cannot save the tooth, the dentist will recommend removing it. Extracting the affected tooth can help prevent further dental and oral health problems
Bleeding or Receding Gums
Another oral health issue you should never overlook is bleeding or receding gums because it could worsen, leading to severe oral health issues, including gum disease. Healthy gums should be pink and firm, holding your teeth in place. If you notice that your gums are tender, pulling away from the tooth (receding), or bleeding easily whenever you want to brush your teeth, you should consult with a dentist.
In most cases, these symptoms are an early sign of gingivitis (mild gum disease), and seeing a dentist as soon as possible is key to reversing the problem. Gingivitis is the inflammation and irritation of your gums caused by the build-up of plaque and tartar on the surface of your teeth and below the gumline. Plaque is a sticky, colorless film of bacteria that builds up on the surfaces of your teeth.
Plaque also affects the appearance of your teeth and can cause gingivitis and tooth decay if you do not remove it promptly with proper oral hygiene, especially by brushing your teeth every day. If your gums are receding or bleeding, your dentist may recommend the following treatments:
- Professional dental cleaning
- Root planing and scaling
- Mouth rinses with antimicrobial effects
- Toothpaste with a prescription
- Gum Grafting
- Laser therapy
- Better oral hygiene practices
Gingivitis is often asymptomatic, meaning you may not be aware you have the problem until you see your dentist. Your dentist can find abnormalities in your mouth and evaluate your risk of gingivitis during regular dental check-ups. The good news is that gingivitis is easily reversible if caught early.
Noticeable Tooth Discoloration or Staining
You don’t need to worry about a little bit of discoloration here and there, especially after drinking staining beverages like coffee and red wine. However, if you have more significant discoloration or stains that are visible beneath the enamel, it is best to consult a dentist.
Once your dentist has evaluated the problem, he or she can tell you whether the discoloration is merely cosmetic or a sign of an underlying dental problem. Sometimes discoloration or stains on the teeth can mean that you have tooth decay. Tooth decay is a common problem that many people may experience at some point in their lives.
Cavities, also known as dental caries, occur when plaque forms on the surface of your tooth after you eat starchy and sugary foods. When bacteria in plaque eat these sugary foods, they produce acidic substances. The acid eats away at your tooth enamel, causing cavities (visible holes or small holes on the surface of the tooth).
In addition to the brownish and yellowish color of the dental plaque, other symptoms of tooth decay or cavities include the following:
- Persistent bad breath (halitosis)
- Sensitivity to cold or warm food and beverages
- Unpleasant taste in your mouth
When you notice any of these symptoms, you should consult with a dentist as soon as possible for a precise diagnosis. Depending on the severity of your unique issue, your dentist could recommend any of the following treatments:
- Professional cleaning
- A dental filling
- A dental crown
- Root canal therapy
- Tooth loss
Another dental health issue that may necessitate an appointment with a dentist is tooth loss. Some common causes of tooth loss include untreated cavities, gum disease, or severe mouth trauma. In addition to affecting the aesthetics of your smile, tooth loss can affect your speech, your ability to bite and chew food, and even your teeth’s alignment.
Teeth misalignment occurs when the surrounding teeth shift out of position to occupy the left gap. Tooth loss is an emergency, meaning you should consult a dentist as soon as possible to fix the problem. If you have a knocked-out tooth, pick it up without touching the roots, gently rinse it, and place it back in its socket.
However, if that’s not possible, you should store it in a jar containing milk or saliva to preserve it until you see a dentist. The sooner you see your dentist, the higher the chances of saving the tooth. If your dentist cannot restore the affected tooth, he/she will recommend the following remedies:
- Partial dentures
- A dental implant
- A dental bridge
- A dental implant
Find a Reliable Dentist Near Me
One of the best ways to preserve the health and aesthetic appearance of your tooth is to schedule an appointment with a dentist when you notice any of the above common tooth problems. Our credible dentists at The Lakewood Dentist are here to help if you have any of the dental issues described above. We have modern dental equipment to provide our patients with precise and effective treatment.
We invite you to call us at 562-423-1441 to book your initial, obligation-free consultation today.