Earlier this year, the Oral Health Foundation revealed the five common dental problems affecting adults in the UK. From bad breath to bleeding gums, it seems you’re not alone in experiencing these common oral health issues, but it doesn’t mean you can’t do something about it. They say a problem shared is a problem halved, so we thought we’d run through the top 5 oral health concerns and show you how we can help solve them.
1. Sensitive teeth
It is estimated that around 1 in 3 people in the UK experience sensitive teeth. You’ll know you are among them if you experience sharp, temporary pain in one or more teeth when consuming hot or cold drinks, eating sweet or cold foods such as ice cream or breathing in cold air.
Tooth sensitivity usually occurs because tooth enamel has worn away, exposing the sensitive dentin layer underneath. It can also be caused by gum recession, chipped or cracked teeth or using teeth whiteners.
How we can help you with tooth sensitivity: We can apply dental bonding or sealant to cover exposed dentin, apply fluoride to affected areas to help strengthen enamel and advise you on the best toothpaste and toothbrushes to use to ease pain and discomfort.
2. Bleeding gums
If your gums bleed when you brush or floss, this is not uncommon, but it is also not something you can ignore. Bleeding gums are generally a sign of gum disease, which if left untreated can lead to gum recession and tooth loss, as well as the infection spreading to other parts of the body.
In the early stages, gum disease is known as gingivitis. It is characterised by red, swollen and bleeding gums but it is reversible. If left to develop, gingivitis can turn into periodontitis, a more severe form of gum disease, which may require more invasive treatment such as bone grafting surgery.
How we can help you with bleeding gums: Our dental team will assess your gums at every check up, looking for signs of gum disease and advising you on the best oral health care routine to carry out at home. Our hygienists will carefully remove the plaque build up that can cause gum disease and show you how to effectively clean between your teeth and in and around those difficult to reach areas, to help keep gum disease at bay.
3. Toothache
Tooth pain and discomfort can come in many forms, but you’ll know you have a toothache if the pain is dull, sharp or throbbing and, unlike sensitivity, doesn’t go away when you remove the hot or cold stimuli. Of all the common dental problems, toothache is probably the most unbearable, as the pain can be relentless, or get worse at night, preventing you from getting a good night’s sleep.
Toothache can also cause swelling, headache, fever and pain when eating. Whilst you might be able to wait until your next check up to speak to us about tooth sensitivity or bleeding gums, toothache is a more pressing issue. If you’ve been in pain for more than 2 days, over the counter painkillers aren’t helping or your symptoms are getting worse, please get in touch with us immediately to arrange an emergency appointment.
How we can help you with toothache: After a thorough assessment of your mouth, we can determine the cause of your tooth pain and advise on the best course of action. This might include antibiotics to help resolve an infection, a filling to remove a decayed area of tooth or an extraction, if the tooth cannot be saved. Our first goal is always to help ease your pain, so your treatment may be twofold - firstly to relieve pain and discomfort and secondly to treat or remove the problem.
4. Dry mouth
Whilst a dry mouth is common when dehydrated, some people suffer from it more frequently. It is characterised by a dry, sticky feeling in the mouth, and difficulties in swallowing and speaking, that may be worse on waking. In addition to dehydration, dry mouth can be caused by certain medications, sleeping with your mouth open or eating dry foods.
How we can help you with dry mouth: As well as helping to determine the cause of your dry mouth, we can provide advice on practising excellent oral health care at home, recommend dental products to protect your teeth and prescribe artificial saliva substitutes to ease your discomfort.
5. Bad breath
Bad breath is probably the most embarrassing of dental problems, as it can be noticed by other people, particularly when you’re close to them or in conversation. The unpleasant smell coming from your mouth can be caused by some of the other oral health issues on this list - notably dry mouth and gum disease. It can also stem from poor oral hygiene, eating certain foods, smoking, or wearing dental appliances, such as braces or dentures, which can trap food debris and bacteria.
How we can help you with bad breath: We’ll work with you to identify and treat the causes of bad breath. This might include recommending more regular deep cleaning treatments with our hygiene team and advising you on the best way to care for your teeth and gums, including using floss, interdental brushes and a tongue scraper to remove the bacteria that can lead to bad breath. We can also treat any dental infections that may be causing the unpleasant smell, and talk to you about how your diet and lifestyle may be contributing to bad breath.
If you suffer from one, or more of these common oral health issues, know that you are not alone, and that we are here to help! Speak to our friendly team today to book an appointment or share your concerns with us during your next check up.
