Your teeth do a lot of work to help your body stay alive. They’re responsible for processing the food that you eat and turning it into pieces small enough to swallow, and they need to hold up against a variety of environmental threats to serve that purpose. Just think about everything that your teeth and gums are exposed to throughout the day. They’re constantly covered in your saliva, and they’re subject to the acidity of whatever you drink. Crunchy and hard food may require a lot of work to eat, and there are untold millions of bacteria that live in the mouth and the surrounding environment. Such a harsh environment leads to several common dental problems.
Wisdom Tooth Issues
For supposedly wise teeth, these guys cause a lot of problems. They are much larger than your other molars and come in later in life, so it’s common for them to crowd out other teeth in your jaw. You can end up with teeth that are out of alignment, damaged, or in pain because of their location. The wisdom tooth roots sometimes grow in sideways and end up embedded deep in the jaw bone. They can also grow up into the sinus cavity, causing a range of issues.
Tooth Decay
Bacteria loves to try and get into your teeth, and there are so many that exist in your mouth and are introduced from outside of it. Tooth decay occurs when the bacteria break down the tooth. It can expose the dentin and pulp of the tooth, which can be incredibly painful if it happens. Some tooth decay can be fixed as long as you catch it early enough, while others may lead to a tooth extraction or another extensive procedure.
Infected Gums
Your gums can also get bacteria growth that causes irritation and other problems. Sometimes your gums recede from your teeth for various reasons, which can open up pockets that bacteria can enter. Food particles and debris get caught in these areas, which feeds the bad bacteria. This also causes bad breath since you have rotting food stuck in your mouth. Your gums may need to be cleaned out of bacteria, or you could need to address the receding gum line.
Compromised Teeth
Damage to your teeth can result in severe consequences for your dental health, in addition to other common dental problems. Your teeth may get chipped or broken due to accidents or illness, or you could end up with cavities in them due to tooth decay. These teeth are weaker than undamaged ones and may need to go through a root canal or be replaced with an implant or bridge over time. You may or may not feel pain from a compromised tooth, depending on the severity of the problem.
Solve Your Common Dental Problems at Lovett Dental Pearland
If you don’t perform daily dental hygiene routines, then tartar can form on your teeth. This film is made up of bacteria that live on the surface of the enamel. Over time, tartar can go through a calcification process and become hard. The rock-like substance that forms is called plaque, and you need professional cleaning to remove it from your teeth. The easiest way to avoid this is to stick to your dental routine and regularly make sure that you’re going in for dental cleaning. At Lovett Dental Pearland, we offer a variety of services, including:
Common dental problems have relatively straightforward treatments, and your dentist will be happy to discuss your options. Contact us at 281-416-5844 to get answers for your dental issues and to start feeling better about your smile.