5 Most Common Dental Problems And How To Prevent Them

Good oral and dental health are a crucial part of your overall well-being. Maintaining a set of healthy teeth and gums goes beyond practising good oral hygiene, it also includes making healthy dietary and lifestyle decisions such as reducing your sugar intake and alcohol consumption. To protect and maintain your pearly whites, diligence and discipline are a must!

A lack of proper oral hygiene can result in dental issues which are never any fun. Fortunately, educating yourself about the common dental problems and their causes can go a long way in prevention, and it’ll be much easier to shun dental procedures and long-term health problems. We’ve compiled a list of 5 common dental issues you should identify early and steps you can take to prevent them. 

1. Cavities

Also known as tooth decay, cavities are decayed areas that can develop into tiny openings. This is often the result of dental plaque, a sticky film of bacteria that feeds on the foods and drinks you’ve consumed. It will then produce acids that will slowly destroy the tooth enamel (the outer surface layer of your tooth), later developing into cavities. The common symptoms include tooth pain, tooth sensitivity, sudden sharp pain whenever you drink something sweet, hot or cold, and visible holes in your teeth.

The primary reason behind the formation of cavities is simply foods that are left in the mouth. Foods high in carbohydrates and sugars are more likely to stay on your teeth, which will in turn, develop into plaque. As such, you’ll want to reduce such foods high in starch and sugar, as well as adhere to proper oral hygiene. Those with self-ligating braces and the like will need to pay special attention to your oral hygiene and make sure any food residues don’t stick to your teeth or braces.

2. Bad breath

Halitosis, another term for bad breath, is also a common oral issue across all ages. As of 2017, a study done the Global Burden of Diseases found out that 3.5 billion people worldwide suffer from oral diseases. Due to these dental problems, the majority of them also suffer bad breath. 

To prevent bad breath, you’ll want to make sure you pull out all stops in preventing any oral diseases. This starts with good oral hygiene, including brushing the tongue, flossing the teeth, and gargling with mouthwash twice a day.

3. Gum disease

As one of the common dental diseases amongst adults, gum disease has three main developing stages: gingivitis, periodontitis and advanced periodontitis. You’re advised to head down to your dentist immediately to get it treated, to prevent the worsening of the infection. Gingivitis is the only reversible stage as it has yet to attack the bones, so you’ll have to be quick!

The symptoms of gum disease include swollen gums that feel tender when touched, bright red or purplish gums, the appearance of blood whenever you’re done brushing or flossing your teeth, bad breath and pus development.

Since gum disease results from plaque accumulation, you can easily prevent this by practising good oral hygiene. Brush your teeth at least twice a day and make sure to visit a dentist regularly for general cleaning.

4. Dry mouth

Otherwise known as xerostomia, dry mouth happens when your saliva glands are unable to produce sufficient saliva to keep your mouth moist. The absence of this moisture can potentially contribute to plaque buildup, and eventually, tooth decay.

Mouth sores, bad breath, gum irritation and chapped lips are common symptoms of dry mouth. Whilst there is no foolproof solution, drinking more water can keep your mouth hydrated.

5. Oral cancer

Oral cancer is proven to be the deadliest dental issue one can suffer from. It begins with a painless white patch in your mouth, hardly visible to the naked eye. This patch will thicken and develop red patches and ulcers as it continues to grow. Most oral cancers are related to heavy alcohol and tobacco consumption, and infection by human papillomavirus (HPV).

To prevent oral cancer from developing, you’ll want to cease smoking and drink alcohol in moderation. Apart from practising good oral hygiene, take the time to visit your dentist for regular check-ups too.

At Luminous Dental, our team of competent dentists are equipped with the experience and technical know-how to help you tackle all your dental issues. Whether it’d be providing you with an Invisalign treatment to make teeth cleaning easier, or dental implants to replace a decayed tooth, our in-house dental specialists are here to keep these oral issues at bay and you’ll be able to greet your new smile in no time!