Dental Problems: Common Conditions and When to See a Dentist

The World Health Organisation (WHO) marks dental diseases as the most commonly occurring chronic diseases worldwide with almost 4 billion people experiencing dental issues every year. Dental diseases or dental problems are a collective term used to highlight conditions that affect oral health. In most cases, poor oral hygiene is the root cause and the damage is widespread. Dental problems, if left unaddressed, can impact overall health and well-being. No wonder, Los Angeles orthodontics highlights the importance of timely corrective action. Listed below are the most common conditions and when is it best to see a dentist:

Bad Breath

Bad breath or a persistent foul smell from the mouth is an embarrassing condition. While one may try to mask the smell by using mouthwash and mouth fresheners, West Hollywood orthodontics advises a complete dental checkup. The condition may be due to a developing gum disease, dental cavities, bacterial growth on the tongue, and more. Furthermore, bad breath is one of the key symptoms of oral cancer. If you feel that your breath smells bad, visit your dentist as soon as possible. A comprehensive checkup of the oral cavity is important to understand the problem area and devise a treatment plan. 

Tooth Decay

The sugar and starches in the food that we eat stick to our tooth enamel. Regular brushing and flossing are therefore important to clean the surface of the teeth, failing which tooth decay is inevitable. Gradual tooth decay leads to cavities which is an extremely painful situation to be in. The damage gradually aggravates and leads to tooth loss. Orthodontics Los Angeles clinics offer services that range from treating dental cavities to putting up custom-made dental crowns that protect the weakened tooth. 

Misaligned Teeth

Not all teeth grow out perfectly aligned. Crooked and misaligned are a common concern that must be addressed at the earliest. Misaligned teeth have hard-to-reach pockets which makes cleaning difficult. This increases the risk of tooth decay. Furthermore, severe misalignment affects speech clarity and fuels aesthetic concerns. Treatment options like braces and clear aligners available at leading orthodontics West Hollywood clinics help correct misalignment. 

 

Impacted Tooth

According to the natural dental anatomy, every tooth has a designated position. But in reality that can be a case where the tooth gets stuck against another tooth, bone, or soft tissue. The impacted tooth can trigger extreme pain and often requires immediate medical intervention followed by an extraction or surgical correction.  

Gaps Between Teeth

The gaps between teeth may not appear to be a problem at all. However, if the dental space is not aligned, it can result in overbite, crossbite, or underbite. Also, it may raise cosmetic concerns. Orthodontics recommends veneers and dental bonds to move the teeth closer together. Also, treatment options like braces, aligners, palate expanders, etc are available to treat bite issues. 

Final Thoughts

There are a range of dental concerns that affect the functioning and appearance of the teeth. While maintaining proper oral hygiene is a sine qua non for preventing dental problems, addressing underlying orthodontic issues is equally important to reap the best results. Regular visits to the best dentist clinics like one at the Personal Dental Office help identify dental problems at an early stage and offer services for timely and appropriate correction.