In the United States, Americans consider dental hygiene very important. The “proof is in the pudding” because, according to surveys, over 64% of US adults visited the dentist at least once in 2022.
It’s essential to visit the dentist regularly, beginning at 12 months of age. If you don’t, you risk any number of teeth problems, from tooth decay to gum disease.
Scheduling a regular dental appointment means your dentist can detect and address any oral problems as they appear. This way, you can keep your winning smile for longer.
So if you last saw the dentist a long time ago (or ever), this is an article you should read. Learn six common teeth problems and how you can prevent them.
1. Cavities
One of the most common teeth problems you’ll encounter if you don’t practice good oral hygiene is cavities. Cavities are small holes in your teeth which, due to the lack of enamel, can cause you pain. Cavities are caused by a build-up of plaque on your teeth, which slowly strips away the enamel of your teeth over time.
How Do I Prevent Cavities?
Plaque is caused primarily by sugary foods and drinks such as chocolate and soda, so one way to prevent this is to cut down on your consumption of these products or to cut them from your diet entirely. You should also brush twice daily with fluoridated toothpaste and floss once daily. A visit to the dentist for teeth cleaning once a year can also help prevent cavities from forming.
- Dental Health Tip: Brushing your teeth poorly is as bad as not brushing at all, so ensure you take your time and reach every tooth
2. Bad Breath
Bad breath is another contender in the slew of teeth problems you can encounter and one of the most embarrassing. No one likes talking to someone with bad breath, but without proper dental hygiene, you can end up as that person. Several things, such as cavities, gum disease, plaque on the teeth and tongue, etc, can cause bad breath.
What’s The Solution?
One of the easiest things to do is brush your teeth twice daily for a few minutes each time. Ensure you brush your tongue because it can harbor plaque that causes bad breath and other teeth problems like cavities. If this doesn’t solve the problem, you should visit the dentist ASAP in case it’s because of something more serious like gum disease.
- Dental Health Tip: You can buy toothbrushes that have a tongue scraper which will do a much better job than an ordinary toothbrush
3. Tooth Erosion
Tooth erosion is similar to cavities in that it occurs from damaged enamel. However, unlike cavities, tooth erosion is caused by a build-up of acids. This acid damages your teeth enamel.
Eventually, these acids eat away at the enamel so much it results in tooth surface loss. This dental problem can cause pain as the entire tooth becomes sensitive to temperature changes.
This Sounds Serious; How Do I Avoid This?
If you’re thinking tooth decay sounds serious, you’d be right. Enamel cannot be regrown or regenerated, so the best way to avoid this is to take good care of your teeth.
This means brushing twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and flossing once every day. If you’re experiencing pain and think you may have tooth decay, visit the dentist immediately.
4. Toothache
Toothache might sound a bit general, but it’s another in the list of teeth problems we’re overviewing. It can be caused due to several reasons, such as:
- Abscesses
- Tooth decay
- Infection
- Teeth grinding
- Impacted teeth
- Tooth sensitivity
How Do I Prevent Toothache?
Because toothache can occur for many reasons, if you’re experiencing a toothache, your best option is to visit the dentist so they can look at what’s causing it. Your best way of preventing toothaches is to properly care for your teeth by brushing twice daily, flossing daily, and addressing any issues (like teeth grinding) with your dentist as soon as they arise.
5. Stained Teeth
Stained teeth are another common problem people have with their teeth. This is typically caused by drinking heavily pigmented drinks like wine and coffee.
The residue from these pigments builds up over time, resulting in stained teeth. Smoking and doing drugs can also cause teeth staining.
What Should I Do?
If you find your teeth staining, try a home whitening kit, get a smile makeover here, or ask your dentist what they can recommend. If you’re a heavy smoker, try to cut back or quit entirely. Also, remember to brush twice a day or after drinking pigmented drinks like tea, coffee, and wine.
- Dental Health Tip: Ensure you brush your teeth before bed to remove the plaque build-up from the day
6. Chipped Tooth
Another embarrassing dental problem you can encounter is a chipped tooth. This typically occurs from some type of trauma occurring to the tooth, for example, chewing hard candy, grinding your teeth, or experiencing a fall where your mouth was impacted. A chipped tooth can cause a lot of embarrassment because you feel self-conscious when you smile.
How Do I Fix It?
While there is no true way to avoid chipping your tooth, it’s still worth taking care of your teeth by brushing twice daily with a dentist-approved toothpaste, flossing regularly, and visiting the dentist for regular cleanings. If you grind your teeth at night while you sleep, ask your dentist what they recommend to help before it weakens your teeth enough to chip.
Avoid Teeth Problems With Ease
Teeth problems can be a real pain in the… well, tooth. Thankfully many of them are avoidable if you take your dental hygiene seriously.
To avoid a root canal or teeth problems like cavities, tooth decay, damaged teeth, and stained teeth, schedule a regular dentist visit for teeth cleaning. Your dentist will also monitor your teeth and advise you if they notice any dental problems.
We hope this article has inspired you to brush your teeth twice daily. Check out our Health, Travel, Pets, and Games sections for more inspiration.
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