Man's hand pointing to a dental checkup chair

7 Most Common Dental Problems and Solutions

Dental problems are a common occurrence for a lot of people, but good oral hygiene habits can help to keep them at bay. Maintaining a good brushing and flossing routine is obviously very important, but it can only do so much. That’s why regular checkups at a general dentist in Perth are so important

If you haven’t gotten your teeth checked out for some time, you should look into doing so immediately. Some of the most common dental problems arise without any noticeable symptoms, so going for a dental check-up means that your dentist will be able to alert you of any issues early on. 

This can save you from much more costly and painful treatment further down the line.

Below, we’ll cover the 7 most common dental problems that you might be at risk for, and how they can be easily prevented with regular dental check-ups.

#1. Tooth Decay/Cavities

Tooth decay or cavities can occur at any age. Some of the causes of tooth decay are:

  • Plaque Buildup 
  • Excessive sugar consumption 
  • Poor dental hygiene habits
  • Misaligned Teeth

Plaque is a naturally occurring bacteria in your mouth. It’s also the main culprit of tooth decay and cavities. While you can never completely eliminate plaque from your mouth, good oral hygiene habits help keep it at bay by preventing it from settling on your teeth. 

However, brushing isn’t enough to get rid of plaque buildup that occurs between your teeth. This is especially true if you have misaligned teeth. That’s why a professional scale and clean is recommended at least once every six months (this is performed by your general dentist as part of your dental check-up).  

If your dentist finds decay or a cavity, it can be easily treated with tooth-colored fillings that will prevent your decay from worsening. When left untreated for too long, tooth decay can worsen to the extent it affects your root canal and causes severe pain. If this happens, your tooth will have to be extracted. 

Dentist holding an extracted tooth after tooth decay

2. Gum Disease

Plaque doesn’t just buildup on your teeth. It also collects on your gums sockets as well. In the event that plaque isn’t removed effectively from your gums, it will cause an inflammation called gingivitis which can later progress into periodontitis.

Several symptoms of periodontitis are as follows:

  • Excessive bleeding of the gums that may be triggered when brushing, flossing or eating 
  • Bad breath 
  • Gum recession

While periodontitis causes pain and manifests itself with obvious symptoms, gingivitis can easily go unnoticed. Visiting your general dentist regularly means that they will rule out this issue during each session, or advise you on your next course of action and treatment options should you have gum inflammation.

Depending on the severity of your gum disease, you may be advised to undergo a professional deep clean, be on antibiotics or undergo a minor surgery which involves making tiny incisions to lift up the flap of your gums so that a more thorough clean can be performed. 

3. Bad Breath

Did you know that most bad breath is caused by an underlying dental issue? Bad breath, also known as halitosis, can be a result of gum disease, cavities and even oral cancer. 

During a dental checkup, your dentist will be able to identify the root cause of your bad breath and advise you on the necessary treatment options that will eliminate your underlying dental issue as well as halitosis it causes. 

Illustration of a woman with bad breath

4. Tooth (Root) Infection

Root infections are a serious problem that occurs when bacteria invades the dental pulp. 

Symptoms include: 

  • Significant pain (especially while chewing or biting) 
  • Swelling and tenderness in the gums 
  • Discoloration or darkening of the affected tooth 
  • Tooth Sensitivity 
  • Pus-like fluid expelled from the tooth 

An infected tooth is a severe problem that requires immediate attention. There isn’t any other way to solve a root infection other than extracting the entire tooth. However, doing so sooner will save you from a lot of pain and prevent the infection from spreading to your jaw, head or neck. 

5. Dry Mouth

Did you know that your saliva has antibacterial properties that are important in preserving your oral health? Dry mouth occurs when your saliva glands can’t produce enough saliva.

This creates the perfect breeding ground for the bacteria that can eventually lead to tooth decay, gum disease, and other dental conditions. 

While there isn’t really a cure for dry mouth, regular dental checkups are especially crucial as you will be at increased risk of common dental problems. Drinking plenty of water can help to combat the dryness. 

6. Misaligned Teeth/Tooth Crowding

While crooked teeth are usually considered an aesthetic issue, there are some cases in which it can affect their function. Severely misaligned teeth can be hard to clean, thus increasing your risk of the common dental problems mentioned earlier. 

Crooked teeth can also cause impaired speech abilities and this could further impact the self-esteem issues that you might already have from being unhappy with your smile. 

Braces are a time-tested treatment option that works to straighten your teeth over time. If you are concerned about how they might look on your or get in the way of your daily activities (braces can be limiting in terms of physical activity and food intake), consider Invisalign, which could give you the same results without these limitations. 

Your dentist will advise you on which treatment option will suit you better based on your misalignment.

7. Oral Cancer

This is clearly one of the most serious oral problems you could have, yet, its symptoms can easily go unnoticed. Oral cancer usually starts out as tiny lumps in your mouth that don’t cause any pain, so only a dentist will be able to alert of you of any early signs and advise you on your next course of action.

Smokers are at added risk of oral cancers, so if you have tried to kick the habit for good and failed, it would help to be extra diligent with your oral care routine. This obviously includes regular trips to the dentist. 

As you can see, there are a whole host of reasons why regular dental check-ups are a good idea. While not many people enjoy going to the dentist, doing so can help to detect any issues you have early on and prevent them from becoming painful and costly to treat.

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