Everyone who has experienced a toothache will know how irritating and uncomfortable it is. However, there are a lot of other dental problems that cause pain as well. A lot of these issues are things that are usually resolved relatively easily, but others are more severe and often require dental surgery. Below is a list of common dental problems that you’re likely to experience at one time or another, and how to deal with them.
Mouth Ulcers
Mouth ulcers are not uncommon, and they are usually caused by either a poor diet, burns, cuts, or braces and poorly fitted dentures. Some ulcers are milder than others, but they cause a lot of discomfort and sometimes make it difficult to eat. They do usually go away on their own after some time, but there are topical treatments you can use. Even using antiseptic oral sprays as a germ defense for your mouth helps ease pain and prevents it from getting worse.
Tooth Infection
Throughout the day you will be consuming a lot of food and beverages, and sometimes bits of what you’re eating get stuck in your teeth. Flossing or using toothpicks, along with daily cleaning, helps to remove them, but if they are left, this contributes to plaque build-up as it breaks down. Not only does this cause bad breath, but it does leave you at a higher risk of developing a tooth infection. If you are experiencing toothache and tenderness for longer than a short period of time, it’s worth seeing your dentist. You likely have an infection and will need antibiotics. Medication will be the most effective treatment.
Cavities
If you do maintain good oral health, risk factors for cavities will reduce, but this doesn’t mean you’ll be completely immune to them. Cavities are known to be very painful as they will leave the nerves in your tooth exposed. if they aren’t treated quickly, you might have to have your tooth removed altogether. A good way to reduce your risk of cavities is a good oral hygiene routine. Avoiding the consumption of too many sugary foods and drinks is also helpful for fighting plaque-producing bacteria in your mouth.
Gingivitis
Gingivitis, which is also referred to as gum disease, is another issue that develops if you’re not careful. Symptoms of this include swollen and bleeding gums, as well as bad breath. A lot of the time this develops due to poor oral hygiene, but hormonal changes and some lifestyle choices like smoking can also cause this. Often gingivitis is typically reversed with an improved oral hygiene routine, antibiotics and specialist mouthwashes (that your dentist is able to prescribe). However, if you do not catch this in its early stages it might develop into periodontal disease and become a more serious issue, resulting in tooth loss and putting you at risk of other infections.
These are all relatively common dental problems that you might come across at some point. Most of the issues should be resolved quickly and effectively, with the help of your dentist and making more of an effort with your oral health.
The Editorial Team at Healthcare Business Today is made up of skilled healthcare writers and experts, led by our managing editor, Daniel Casciato, who has over 25 years of experience in healthcare writing. Since 1998, we have produced compelling and informative content for numerous publications, establishing ourselves as a trusted resource for health and wellness information. We offer readers access to fresh health, medicine, science, and technology developments and the latest in patient news, emphasizing how these developments affect our lives.
