COMMON DENTAL PROBLEMS

On This Page: Gum Disease | Gingivitis | Periodontitis | Baby Bottle Tooth Decay | Plaque | Abscess | Bad Breath | Prescription Drugs

Gum Disease
Gum disease, also called periodontal disease, is the major reason for tooth loss among adults. Bacteria in plaque create toxins that inflame or infect the gums and bone that support teeth. If the support structure becomes damaged, teeth may shift, loosen or even fall out. With regular dental checkups, a dentist can detect and treat periodontal disease early before much damage is done.

Gingivitis
Mild inflammation is the earliest stage of gum disease. Gums get red and puffy after plaque and tartar build up at the gum line. Bleeding during brushing and flossing is an obvious sign of a problem.

Periodontitis
Periodontitis is the most serious stage of gum disease. Plaque spreads to tooth roots causing infection that damage or destroy the supporting bone and fibers that hold teeth in place. Teeth begin to shift or loosen. Gums pull away from teeth and form a pocket below the gum line where food and plaque are trapped.

Baby Bottle Tooth Decay
Baby-bottle tooth decay, or nursing-bottle mouth, can damage primary teeth. This condition develops when an infant nurses continuously from a bottle of milk, formula, sugar water or fruit juice during naps or at night. As the child sleeps, these liquids pool around the teeth, resulting in serious decay over a short period of time.
To prevent decay, parents should wipe the baby's gums with a washcloth after feeding and begin brushing after the first tooth comes in. Babies should see a dentist by the first birthday.

Plaque
Teeth are covered with a sticky, colorless film of bacteria called plaque. This bacteria gets energy from sugar and starch in food, converting them into harmful acids that attack tooth enamel for 20 minutes or longer. Repeated attacks may break down enamel and cause cavities.

Abscess
An abscess is a very serious dental condition and requires immediate treatment. It is a pocket of pus that forms at the tips of your tooth root as a result of a cracked tooth or a deep cavity. This infection can cause damage to the dental pulp, the tooth's soft core and nerve center. When diseased pulp is left untreated, it dies, and the bone around the tooth can be destroyed.
In most cases, the abscess can be effectively treated with root-canal therapy. This procedure safely saves a tooth by cleaning out and filling the damaged pulp. The dentist or endodontist - a dentist who specializes in diagnosing, treating and preventing "dental pulp" disorders - may perform a root canal. Sometimes, the tooth cannot be saved and must be removed. Tooth replacement then would be necessary.

Bad Breath
If you don't brush and floss daily, particles of food remain in the mouth, collecting bacteria, which can cause bad breath. Food that collects between the teeth, on the tongue and around the gums can rot, leaving an unpleasant odor. Dentures that are not cleaned properly also can harbor odor-causing bacteria. Disorders such as a sinus infection or postnasal drip, are other causes of bad breath.

Other causes of bad breath are:

Prescription drugs may affect patients' dental health
More than 400 prescription drugs have been linked to adverse dental health effects. It is particularly important for older or medically compromised patients to stay well informed of potential side effects.

For example, Cycolsporin, Procardia, Cardizem, Adalat, Dilantin and radiation treatment all can cause dental health problems.

Prescription medicines can cause gum swelling; overgrowth or inflammation; dry mouth; excess plaque; and fungal infection. Many cause or enhance dry-mouth, which can increase the rate of root-surface decay and periodontal (gum) infection.

Here are some tips to follow and some questions to ask your dentist or physician when being prescribed medication. This information will help either doctor select the safest and most effective method of treatment.