Taking care of our teeth is very important but most people don’t do it properly. As a result, many common dental problems can be painful, uncomfortable, and lead to loss of teeth.

Good oral hygiene and regular dental visits will help prevent most dental problems. It will also promote good dental hygiene. In this article, we will review the top 10 most common dental issues. We will also offer tips on how to prevent them to keep good care of your oral health issues. Moreover, it will also include overall good dental health.

Common dental problems

Learning how to prevent dental problems and treatment is important. But, first you need to know the most common ones first. Below are the 10 among the most common dental problems.

Cavities and tooth decay

Cavities and tooth decay are the most widespread dental issues. They occur when plaque builds up on teeth and erodes the enamel. The acids in this build-up eat away at the tooth structure, creating holes known as cavities.

Brush your teeth with a fluoride toothpaste twice a day, and floss once a day, to prevent cavities by removing the plaque. Avoid sugary snacks and drinks which feed the bacteria that cause decay.

Gum disease (Gingivitis)

Gum disease is also called gingivitis or periodontal disease. The symptoms of gum disease are inflammation and infection of the gums. It's triggered by a build-up of plaque on teeth and around the mouth. As this accumulates, it causes the gums to become inflamed. 

The good news is that proper oral hygiene like brushing twice a day and flossing will help you prevent gum disease, and keep your teeth. Visits to a dentist every six months for a professional cleaning can help prevent plaque from turning into tartar that leads to gum inflammation.

Enamel erosion

This occurs when there is the loss of the tooth’s hard outer layer, called enamel in dentistry. Acids from food and drinks can dissolve this coating over time. Once eroded, this layer cannot grow back. Dentin, the soft inner layer of teeth, gets exposed, making teeth sensitive. Without enamel to protect against decay, teeth become more prone to cavities.

Limit acidic foods and beverages, these include soda and citrus fruits, and rinse your mouth with water afterwards. Protect enamel with a soft bristled tooth brush and non abrasive tooth paste. 

Bad breath (Halitosis)

Bad breath, called halitosis, is an unpleasant odor emitting from the mouth. It happens when you don't practice good oral hygiene. It's often caused by the breakdown of food particles by bacteria. These bacteria are present on teeth, gums, tongue, and cheeks. 

To help prevent bad breath, brush your own dental appliances like retainers, dentures, or mouth guards clean to eliminate bacteria. Scrape your tongue daily, as it is more effective than brushing alone at removing odor causing buildup.

Tooth sensitivity

Tooth sensitivity is a common dental problem. It causes sharp pains or discomfort in teeth when consuming hot, cold, sweet, or acidic foods. It occurs due to receding gums, enamel erosion, cracked teeth, or tooth decay. Especially when receding gums expose the inner dentin layer. Air may also trigger sensitive teeth. The loss of the tooth surface is the primary reason for temperature sensitivity.

Avoid extreme temperature changes when customer foods and drinks—these changes stress enamel and dentin, which could prevent tooth sensitivity. At your dental appointments, apply fluoride varnish treatments to strengthen exposed areas.

Dry mouth

Also known as xerostomia in medical terms, this refers to insufficient saliva flow. Saliva is important for neutralizing acids and washing away food particles. With inadequate saliva, a build-up of bacteria multiplies. Dry mouth allows tooth decay, gum disease, bad breath, and other problems to develop.

Use a humidifier, especially at night, to keep your mouth and airways moist, and prevent dry mouth. Choose oral products for dry mouth like saliva stimulating rinses. Try to avoid overly salty or spicy foods that will cause yet more mouth dehydration.

Cracked or Chipped teeth

Cracked or chipped teeth result from injury. It can also result from mechanical stresses like aggressive grinding and clenching. They not only affect appearance but make teeth more prone to decay and infection.

Avoid biting or cutting materials with your teeth to prevent cracked or chipped teeth, instead use scissors or other appropriate tools. Talk to your dentist about getting orthodontics to address malocclusion (misaligned bite) early, since some teeth can be under added stress from this problem.

Teeth grinding

Known as bruxism, this involves clenching or grinding teeth, often during sleep. Most people grind due to stress or concentration. When it becomes an everyday habit, the surface of the tooth gets worn down. 

This can be prevented by exercising jaw relaxation, for example, by stretching and massing the jaw muscles daily. It will also help you to create a calming bedtime routine that will reduce stress like you meditating or listen to the soothing music.

Missing teeth

Missing teeth, or tooth loss, has many adverse effects like impaired chewing ability, crooked remaining teeth, and altered facial structure. After losing teeth, bone loss occurs in the empty tooth sockets. This can make the face appear sunken. Missing teeth also put more strain on other teeth.

Minor dental problems such as small cavities, or mild gum inflammation should be dealt with immediately to avoid losing tooth. Routine oral cancer screenings are important because some cancers can cause tooth loss if not treated.

Temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD)

Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders affect the hinge joints and muscles enabling jaw movement. Symptoms involve pain or tenderness in the face, jaw clicking or locking, headaches, and difficulty opening the mouth.

To prevent TMD, try to avoid excess use of devices that cause prolonged neck bend, such as smartphone and which strain jaw and neck. Chew food evenly on both sides of the mouth to distribute pressure while you develop mindful eating habits.

How do you prevent these common dental problems?

Maintain good oral health and hygiene as well as getting a regular dental check-up is one of the most common ways of preventing most dental disorders. Here are tips to stop the common dental problems discussed earlier:

  • Brush teeth twice daily with fluoride toothpaste

  • Floss once daily to remove plaque from between teeth

  • Use antiseptic mouthwash to remove leftover food debris and bacteria

  • Avoid excessive sugary and acidic foods and drinks

  • Drink water to neutralize acids as well as produce acid and saliva

  • Get dental cleanings and check-ups every 6 months

Conclusion

Prevention is always better than cure. Since many of us have dental issues like decay, erosion, you must follow the given advice. Most are avoided by practicing thorough oral hygiene with brushing and flossing. Maintaining good oral hygiene and keep gums healthy also includes limiting sugary foods. Above all, you must brush your teeth at least twice per day.