The 5 most common dental problems you may have experienced

Dental problems often interfere with your activities. Many dental problems that are often not realized may make you late to treat them. Tooth problems that you may often leave alone will only make it worse and lead to fatal consequences. Here are the common dental problems and their causes.

The most common dental problems

Cavity

Cavities are the most common dental problem experienced by almost everyone so they are considered normal. In fact, if cavities are neglected to the extent that they are severe, they can eventually be fatal or cause death.

Cavities are caused by the large number of bacteria that breed in your mouth. These bacteria produce acids that can erode the lining of the teeth so that the teeth become cavities. The deeper the tooth layer is eroded or the deeper the cavity, the more painful it will be.

Eating sugary foods can make cavities worse. This is because the sugar stuck to the teeth becomes food for bacteria. Therefore, the number of bacteria increases and also the more acid produced by the bacteria. This condition is worsened if you rarely brush your teeth. Cavities can cause pain, infection, and tooth loss.

Periodontist (gum disease)

Periodontitis is a severe gum infection that can cause damage to the soft tissues and bones that support teeth. This condition should not be taken lightly and must be treated immediately. Besides being able to cause tooth loss, bacteria in the gum tissue can also enter the bloodstream and attack other organs, such as the lungs and heart. Periodontitis signs and symptoms include:

• Swelling of the gums
• Gums are bright red or purplish
• Gums that are painful to the touch
• Gums that are reduced in height, making the teeth appear longer than normal
• Cavities form between the teeth
• Pus between the teeth and gums
• Smelly breath
• Bad taste in mouth
• Loose or broken teeth
• Changes to teeth when biting.

There are various types or classes of periodontitis. Chronic periodontitis is the most common type, affecting both adults and children. Meanwhile, aggressive periodontitis usually appears in childhood or early adulthood and affects only a small percentage of people.

Gingivitis

Gingivitis or inflammation of the gums is inflammation or inflammation that occurs in the gums. The symptoms of this condition include:

• Swollen gums
• The discoloration of the gums becomes dark red
• Gums that are prone to bleeding, for example when brushing teeth
• Bad breath
• Gums that are wrinkled

Gingivitis can be a mild condition, you may not even know if you have this condition. However, it is important to treat gingivitis immediately because if left untreated, it can lead to a much more serious periodontitis, resulting in tooth loss.

The main cause of gingivitis is poor oral (oral) hygiene. Good oral hygiene habits such as brushing your teeth at least twice a day, flossing your teeth every day, and having regular dental checkups can help prevent gingivitis.

Healthy gums are generally hard and pale pink in color. If your gums are swollen, blackish red, and bleed easily, you may have gingivitis.

Dental plaque

Dental plaque is the presence of bacteria or dirt that sticks and lives in the oral cavity due to food residue on the teeth. If left unchecked, the plaque on the teeth, which was originally yellow, will harden and blacken, so it will look like a rock stuck to the teeth.

Some bad habits that you often do can be the cause of the appearance of plaque on your teeth. These habits include rarely brushing your teeth, consuming too often sweet foods, rarely eating vegetables and fruit, and rarely seeing your dentist to check your dental health regularly.

If left unchecked, the food residue that builds up can cause tooth decay, so bacteria can grow in the area and can cause bad breath and gingivitis.

Tooth erosion

Tooth erosion is the erosion of tooth enamel caused by acids. Enamel is a protective hard coating of teeth, which protects sensitive dentin. When the enamel is eroded, the dentine underneath is exposed, which can cause pain and sensitivity. Tooth erosion can be caused by:

• Excessive consumption of soft drinks (high levels of phosphorus and citric acid)
• Fruit drinks (some acids in fruit drinks are more erosive than battery acid)
• Dry mouth or little saliva (xerostomia)
• Food (high in sugar and starch)
• Gastric acid
• Indigestion
• Medicines (aspirin, antihistamines)
• Genetics (inherited condition)
• Environmental factors (friction, wear, stress, and tooth corrosion)