There’s a lot that can go wrong when it comes to our teeth. Thankfully, tons of exceptional dentists exist, prepared to tackle these issues head-on. Our team at Accent Smile Center is here to answer a broad, hugely important question: What are some common dental problems and their solutions?
When Problems Arise
Sometimes, as a patient, you experience pain or discomfort in your mouth and cannot identify the cause of it. Part of the job of Dr. Gatgens, Dr. Densmore, and Dr. Noble is simply naming the problems you encounter—without doing so, we cannot properly treat them.
- Cavities: Decay of tooth enamel is directly caused by the buildup of bacteria and exposure to acidic substances. They can vary in severity, based on whether or not they are addressed, and at what stage of decay.
- Gingivitis: Gum inflammation, often caused by plaque buildup.
- Periodontal Disease (Gum Disease): This term refers to the advanced inflammation of the gums, which can lead to tooth loss.
- Bad Breath (Halitosis): Persistent bad breath can result from poor oral hygiene, gum disease, or other underlying health issues.
- Tooth Sensitivity: Sensitivity to hot, cold, or sweet food and drinks can be caused by exposed dentin or enamel erosion. Desensitizing toothpaste can be an option for treatment.
- Toothaches: Pain or discomfort can occur in or around a tooth—most often caused by cavities, infection, or dental trauma. Prompt dental evaluation should always be the first course of action when you experience new or troublesome pain to determine the cause and appropriate treatment.
- Dry Mouth (Xerostomia): Insufficient saliva production can have a few causes, such as being the side effect of some medications. It can lead to discomfort, quicker development of cavities, and difficulty chewing and swallowing. Hydration, sugar-free gum, and saliva substitutes can help manage this symptom.
- Impacted Wisdom Teeth: Wisdom teeth sometimes fail to erupt fully or will grow into an incorrect position, which causes pain, swelling, and potential damage to adjacent teeth. Ex
- Oral Thrush: A fungal infection of the mouth, characterized by white patches on the tongue and inner cheeks. Antifungal medications will usually be prescribed for this condition.
- Tooth Grinding (Bruxism): Involuntary grinding or clenching of teeth occurs in many people, often during sleep when they don’t even realize it.
- Orthodontic Issues: Misalignment of teeth and jaw leads to issues like crowding, overbite, and underbite. This can be resolved by a referral to an orthodontist, who will typically use braces or aligners for treatment.
Dental Solutions
While these don’t correlate to every problem mentioned above, the following are common treatment options you’ll find at many dentist’s offices like our own. These can address both medical and cosmetic issues.
- Dental Fillings: Fillings are used to treat cavities and involve removing the decayed portion of the tooth. We fill the space with materials such as amalgam or composite resin, which match the color of your natural tooth.
- Dental Crowns: These are caps that cover damaged or weakened teeth to restore their shape, size, and strength. Crowns are often used after a root canal treatment to protect a tooth with a large filling.
- Root Canal Therapy: Treatment to remove infected or damaged pulp from the inside from the inside of a tooth; it is then cleaned, filled, and sealed to prevent further infection.
- Tooth Extractions: This is when we remove a tooth due to severe decay, infection, crowding, or other issues. Wisdom teeth are most commonly extracted to prevent impaction or further complications.
- Dental Implants: We place titanium posts surgically into the jawbone to serve as artificial tooth roots. These are used to support crowns, bridges, and dentures.
- Dental Bridges: Bridges are fixed prosthetic devices that are used to replace missing teeth. They consist of artificial teeth anchored to adjacent natural teeth or implants.
- Teeth Whitening: A cosmetic procedure used to lighten the color of teeth and remove stains. It can be done professionally in a dental office or using over-the-counter products.
- Dental Veneers: These thin, custom-made shells consist of tooth-colored porcelain or resin placed on the surface of the tooth to improve appearance. Veneers can address issues like discoloration or misalignment in addition to being a cosmetic treatment option.
- Dentures are removable prosthetic devices used to replace missing teeth and surrounding tissues. Depending on the extent of tooth loss, dentures can be partial or complete.
- Gum Disease Treatment: Scaling and root planing, antibiotic treatments, and surgical procedures can all address gingivitis and periodontal disease.
- Mouthguards: Custom devices can be made in our office to protect teeth from bruxism or injury during sports.
Serving Dickson With Pride
As you can see, there are many options for whatever issue you may be facing with your teeth. But the first step is having one of our doctors assess your situation to determine the best possible treatment. If you’re looking for new or continued dental treatment, don’t hesitate to contact us at 615-581-2208.