Dental Health is reflective of the health of your entire body. We tend to overlook dental hygiene and forget that even simple practices such as brushing twice and flossing daily, which goes a long way. One must go to the dentist twice a year for a normal checkup. According to the WHO, “Oral diseases are the most common noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) and affect people throughout their lifetime, causing pain, discomfort, disfigurement and even death.” Let's explore some of the most common dental problems which you should not ignore.

1. Bleeding or Swollen Gums

Healthy gums are firm and pink. When the gums start to swell they tend to bulge out at the areas where they are connected to the teeth. Swollen gums may be accompanied by sensitivity, pain, and redness. Swollen and weak gums will also lead to bleeding eventually and you might observe that the gums tend to bleed more readily whilst brushing or flossing. These can be symptoms of many underlying health issues such as gingivitis, infection, malnutrition, plaque, etc. Be sure to incorporate Vitamin C in your diet as it plays an important role in gum health. If left untreated for a long time this can lead to tooth loss or more widespread tooth infection.

2. Halitosis (Chronic Bad Breath)

Halitosis is not a rare problem but ignoring it can have dire consequences. Bad breath is most commonly caused by lapses in oral hygiene. It can be caused if you don’t brush and floss regularly. Halitosis is also common in avid smokers and tobacco chewers. An underlying infection can cause chronic bad breath which persists for a long time if left untreated. So, firstly start practicing daily dental hygiene and consult your local dentist.

3. Long term Tooth Sensitivity

Tooth Sensitivity can occur randomly without any specific cause and go away, the problem arises when it persists for a longer time. Tooth sensitivity usually increases with age and weathering down of the enamel, sometimes eating very hot or very cold food and give rise to a sudden sensation of tingling which might go away immediately. Lingering tooth sensitivity and ringing might be a sign of premature tooth decay, you should consult your local dentist for more information. There are many kinds of toothpaste available, specially formulated for sensitive teeth and gums.

4. Chronic Tooth Pain

Persistent Tooth Pain can be caused because of infection, tooth decay, spoilt gums, an underlying injury, cavities, enamel erosion, etc. It is best to rush to the doctor as soon as you experience tooth pain because this is one affliction that does not tend to go away on its own.

5. Tooth Staining

We often notice our teeth going yellow, our teeth tend to discolour and stain for various reasons. Tooth staining may be caused due to smoking, consuming products with tobacco in them or overconsumption of sugary soft drinks. Sometimes yellowing teeth could be a sign of aging and genetic effects. Some medications such as certain antibiotics also cause teeth to stain as do oral infections. There is no reason to panic, simply pay a visit to the dentist and practice better oral hygiene.

6. Pus Development

Pus is a collection of dead tissue, bodily fluid, and dead microbes, the mouth pus collects in dental abscesses. Dental abscesses are a buildup of pus that can form inside teeth or gums. They usually originate from bacterial plaque buildup. An unattended plaque will eventually develop into a painful abscess. Other symptoms that accompany pus development include difficulty in swallowing, mild fever, bad breath, etc. Usually, one can get rid of minor infections by brushing, flossing and gargling daily. But it is best not to ignore any visible pus development and to start a course of the prescribed medication as soon as possible.
7. Loose Teeth

Loose Teeth is symptomatic of gum disease, infections, injury, plaque buildup etc. Normally loose teeth are also a sign of aging and should not pose much of a concern but it is always better to get it checked by a dentist. Gums that are inflamed might become loose and in turn loose grip on teeth. Some people have the habit of grinding their teeth in their sleep, this is involuntary and leads to loosening of teeth. To help with teeth grinding there are many mouth protectors.

All of the dental problems mentioned above may be interconnected to each other as some of them have common symptoms. To avoid these problems you can do your part by not smoking and avoiding soft-drinks. It is always helpful to tabulate a daily dental care routine and to go for thorough cleaning sessions at the dentist’s at least twice a year. If you are suffering from any of the above afflictions, it is best to get yourself checked by a professional.