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SLIDESHOW
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15 Tooth Problems ( courtecy;-webMD )
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Slideshow: 15 Tooth Problems
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1. Toothache
You've made a dentist
appointment, and it can't come soon enough. Meanwhile, it can help to rinse
your mouth with warm water, floss to remove food caught between teeth, and take
an over-the-counter pain reliever. If you notice swelling or pus around
the tooth, or if you have a fever, that could be a sign that you have an
abscess, a more serious problem. See your dentist as soon as possible. You may
need antibiotics and possibly a root canal.
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2. Stained Teeth
Your teeth are like your
laundry: The right approach will remove many stains. Foods, medications,
tobacco, and trauma are some of the things that can discolor your teeth.
You have three options for whitening them. Your dentist can use a whitening agent
and a special light. Or you can bleach them at home with a plastic tray and gel
from your dentist or a store. The simplest choice, whitening toothpaste and
whitening rinses, only remove surface stains.
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3. Cavities
These little holes in
your teeth are bad news. You get them when a sticky bacteria, called plaque,
builds up on your teeth, slowly destroying the hard outer shell, called enamel.
Adults can also have problems with tooth decay at the gum line and around the
edges of earlier fillings. To prevent it, brush your teeth at least twice a day
with a fluoride toothpaste, limit snacks, floss daily, rinse with a fluoride
mouthwash, and keep up with your dental appointments. Ask your dentist if you
could benefit from a sealant.
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4. Chipped Tooth
It's the No. 1 type of
dental injury. An accident can cause a chip. So can something much less
dramatic, like chomping popcorn. Your dentist may recommend a crown if the chip
is large or bonding with a strong resin material to replace the area that
chipped. If the pulp is at risk, you may need a root canal followed by a veneer
or crown.
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5. Impacted Teeth
An adult tooth that
doesn't come in properly is "impacted." It usually happens when a
tooth is stuck against another tooth, bone, or soft tissue. If it isn't
bothering you, a dentist may recommend leaving it alone. But if it hurts
or may cause problems later on, an oral surgeon can remove it.
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6. Cracked Tooth
You were playing
football without a mouth guard, or chewing, or maybe you don’t know how it
happened, but now you’ve got a cracked molar. Can your dentist save the tooth?
It depends. Most dentist recommend crowns for cracked teeth to prevent the
crack from worsening. If the tooth is sensitive to hot and cold, the problem is
more complex. Try to chew on the other side until you see your dentist. If the
crack is above the gum line, you may need a root canal and a crown. A deeper
crack means the tooth must be pulled, though. Fillings can increase the chance
of a crack.
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7. Sensitive to Cold
Ice cream should taste
good, not make you wince when the cold hits your teeth. The first step is to
find the cause. It could be cavities, worn tooth enamel or fillings, gum
disease, fractured teeth, or exposed roots. Once your dentist figures out the
problem, you might need a filling, a root canal, or treatment of your gums to
replace tissue lost at the root. Or you might just need a desensitizing
toothpaste or strip, or a fluoride gel.
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8. Too Many Teeth: Hyperdontia
How many teeth are in
your mouth? If you’re like most people, you had 20 primary, or “baby,” teeth,
and you now have 32 adult teeth. It's rare, but some people have extra
teeth, which is called hyperdontia. People who have it usually also have another
condition, such as a cleft palate or Gardner’s Syndrome (which forms tumors
that aren't cancer). The treatment is to get the extra teeth removed and use
orthodontics to correct the bite.
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9. Crooked Teeth
The fix -- orthodontia
-- isn’t just for kids. And straightening crooked teeth and aligning your bite
doesn’t just make for a prettier smile. It can be an key part of improving
overall dental health, relieving symptoms like jaw pain. Orthodontists may
use braces (metal or trays), aligners, and retainers.
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10. Gap Between Teeth
You may not consider a
gap between the front teeth a problem at all. Famous people who sport the look
include singer Madonna, actress Anna Paquin, model Lauren Hutton, and football
player turned TV co-host Michael Strahan. If you want to correct it, though,
your options include orthodontics to move teeth closer together and cosmetic
solutions like veneers or bonding.
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11. Gum Problems
Do your gums bleed
easily? Are they tender? Do you notice them pulling away from your teeth? You
might be in the early stages of gum disease (gingivitis) or in the more
advanced stage (periodontitis). A buildup of plaque, a sticky bacteria, below
the gum line causes it. Left untreated, periodontitis can cause bone loss, and
your teeth might shift or become loose. That can make it harder to chew and
even speak. To avoid gum disease, brush, floss, and rinse with an antiseptic
mouthwash daily, and see your dentist for regular cleanings.
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12. Clenching or Grinding Your Teeth
Grinding your teeth is
called bruxism. Stress is one of the causes. Misaligned teeth or sleep issues
can also be culprits among adults. (Among kids, causes can include allergies.)
Bruxism can give you headaches, a sore jaw, and cracked or loose teeth. If you
grind your teeth at night, ask your dentist to fit you with a mouth guard. If
it’s a daytime problem, try meditation, exercise, or other ways to curb stress.
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13. Wisdom Teeth Problems
If your dentist says
your wisdom teeth, or third molars, came in problem-free, count yourself lucky.
Most people -- 90% -- have at least one wisdom tooth that’s impacted, or not
able to fully grow in. Problems with your wisdom teeth can cause cavities, damage
to neighboring teeth, and gum disease. Wisdom teeth generally come in between
the ages of 17 and 25. Your dentist should track their progress. If they become
a problem, you may need to get them removed.
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14. No Room to Floss
No matter how tight the
fit, there should always be room for floss between your teeth. If not, you may
need to switch to a thinner floss or a waxed one. You can also try a different
kind of tool, such as a looped flosser or a dental pick. Experiment until you
find a product that works for you, and then use it every day. Flossing is a
must for good dental health.
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15. Do Grills Cause Problems?
Bonding a decorative
metal cover to the teeth with glue not meant for use in your mouth can do
damage. And a grill made from less expensive metal than gold or silver could
irritate your mouth. Always remove a grill before you eat, and make sure you
keep it, and your teeth, clean.
This tool does not provide medical advice.
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