When your mouth is healthy, you probably take it for granted like everyone else does. You use it all day every day without any problems, so why would you spare it a second thought. The occasional trip to the dentist is enough to ensure that you don’t have any fillings, and that’s good enough right?
Well, going to the dentist is very important, but it’s not just fillings that you have to watch out for. There are many oral health problems that you need to watch out for. Below are eight of the most common oral health problems among adults. Hopefully, you won’t fall victim to any of these common oral health problems!
1. Gingivitis
This oral health problem is an early stage of gum disease, which occurs when dental plaque is allowed to build up on teeth. Plaque is what builds up on your teeth when you haven’t brushed your teeth for about 24 hours. If the plaque is allowed to harden and become tartar this can be very harmful for your teeth.
Those who have gingivitis may notice that their gums bleed when they floss or brush their teeth. If you think you might have gingivitis, be sure to speak with your dentist and see what they can do before it gets out of hand.
2. Gum disease
Otherwise known as periodontitis, this is an inflammation that has reached the bone. This can affect the tissues that support the teeth and all the way around the gums. This oral health problem can cause the loss of one or more teeth if left untreated and should be taken very seriously. In more severe cases, the teeth may be lost forever and your next best option is to get dental implants as a replacement.
Seek out the advice of a dentist if you are concerned about this. Something as simple as changing the way that you brush your teeth or the mouthwash that you use can help.
3. Abscess
You will know if you have an abscess, as these oral health problems are very painful. An abscess is an infection in your mouth that can be inside the gums or on the gum line. A more serious abscess can be found in the root of the tooth requiring extraction.
You won’t need any encouragement to visit your dentist as you will want this to be taken care of as soon as possible. In some cases, you will need to be prescribed some pain medication until it does.
4. Mouth ulcers
These are small red or white spots inside your mouth that can sometimes be quite painful. They are often found on the inside of the cheek. They can also be found on the tongue, lips or roof of the mouth.
Mouth ulcers are thought to be caused by a number of things. One of the most common is the use of dentures or braces. Food allergies or certain foods can cause mouth ulcers too. If you notice that you have a mouth ulcerm you should have it checked out by a doctor. These oral health problems can indicate a wide variety of health problems that are best dealt with sooner rather than later.
5. Receding gums
This is often caused when through poor dental hygiene and the oral health problem is very likely to occur as you get older. Many of the other oral health problems in this list can also cause the gum line to recede. It is a gradual process where the teeth start to appear longer.
You may notice increased sensitivity to cold and hot inside your mouth as well. If you are concerned about receding gums it is advised that you speak with your dentist as they will be able to let you know exactly what it is that you need to do to slow the progression of the recession.
6. Oral herpes
As far as oral health problems go, oral herpes is very misunderstood. This is not only a sexually transmitted disease, or a condition that you have to deal with for the rest of your life.
It is, however, a very contagious virus that can be transmitted through something as simple as a closed mouth kiss. This makes it very common among adults and children alike, although it can initially cause sores in the mouth it can be treated effectively and doesn’t really deserve the stigma that surrounds it.
7. Cancer
Cancer can affect any part of your body at any time. This includes the mouth. Oral cancer is fairly rare although smoking and heavy alcohol use are contributing factors. No matter what has caused it, you need to have it identified and treated quickly.
8. Dry mouth
This is a common side effect of a lot of medication. As the name suggests, these oral health problems occur when your mouth feels very dry and it can be hard to speak. Not only is this annoying, it can also cause a great deal of damage to your teeth as saliva is needed to wash away harmful bacteria in your mouth.
