Many of the most common oral problems that dentists see during checkups can often be prevented as long as the patient is flossing and brushing twice per day. However, to those who are regularly eating sugary foods or neglecting their dental upkeep, many common dental issues cannot be reversed without professional dental treatments. Keep reading below to learn about the top ten most common oral hygiene issues that dentists face and how they go about treating these uncomfortable conditions.

Periodontitis (Gum Disease)

Gum disease, also called periodontitis, is the most common and painful result of poor gum health. In early stages, plaque builds up in the mouth causing gums to become inflamed, this process is called gingivitis. Gingivitis can be easily prevented if one simply flosses and brushes it away. Although, if left untreated, the bacteria on your teeth will began releasing enamel-decaying acid that gets entrenched in the gum line. Over time, this plaque begins to harden and infect the gums. At this stage, the gingivitis has evolved to gum disease which leaves irreversible harm to an individual’s oral health. 

Cavities

A cavity forms from oral negligence that eventually turns into tooth decay. Caused by bacteria that lives in the plaque on your teeth and gums, tooth decay leads to gingivitis and, eventually, gum disease. If left unchecked, a small cavity gradually grows larger to ultimately become a hole in your tooth. From this point, an untreated cavity can cause an infection in your bones and spread to other parts of your body. To prevent the onset of cavities, it’s important to practice healthy oral care along with omitting sugary foods and drinks.

Halitosis (Bad Breath)

Halitosis, more commonly known as “bad breath” is a dental issue that can cause various problems across all aspects of our lives. An estimated 30% of the American population regularly suffers from Halitosis. Given how widespread this is, it’s likely that either you’re personally dealing with bad breath, or you’ve experienced a relative or friend who does. As everyone should brush their teeth and visit their dentist regularly, there are many ways to prevent the onset of bad breath and improve oral hygiene. While avoiding tobacco products and staying hydrated are helpful prevention methods, the primary way to eliminate halitosis is to practice proper oral hygiene

Receding Gums

Receding gums actually indicates a specific type of gum disease. Diagnosed by a dentist, they’ll measure gum pockets with a small painless ruler, and anything measured larger than 3-millimeters can be a sign of gum disease. A visible symptom of receding gum-lines is if the root surface of your teeth begins to become exposed. While receding gums is responsible for about 70% of adult tooth loss, there are several ways that dentists can treat this issue before it gets too severe.

Xerostomia (Dry Mouth)

Dry mouth, or medically called Xerostomia, is an uncomfortable condition where the mouth doesn’t produce enough saliva. Effecting 10% of the general population and up to 25% of older adults, xerostomia is typically an indicator of a more serious underlying health problem. Since everyone experiences dry mouth due to being nervous or dehydrated, differentiating occasional dry mouth from chronic xerostomia can help prevent future oral health risks. While it’s more common for individuals to develop dry mouth as they get older, it’s important to note that this is not a normal part of aging.

Chipped Teeth

Our teeth’s hard enamel layer allows us to withstand the pressure of chewing and protects us from developing cavities. To best prevent the possibility of sustaining a chipped tooth, it’s important to maintain optimal oral hygiene. Eating healthy, quitting to smoke, visiting your dentist regularly, as well as flossing & brushing twice a day are all steps you should be taking to best ensure your enamel stays tough. We recommend using GumChucks to effectively clean each tooth as its design creates the vital “C-Shape” necessary to get below the gum line. While enamel is incredibly tough, it does have its limits, especially for those with poor oral health.

Bruxism (Teeth Grinding)

It’s common for people to clench or even grind their teeth every once in a while. Whether this is a reaction to stress or anxiety, exhibiting occasional teeth clenching traits isn’t detrimental to an individual’s health. On the other hand, the act of constantly grinding your teeth can result in numerous dental and general health consequences that will later negatively impact your quality of life. Additionally, regularly exhibiting teeth clenching and grinding habits, medically called Bruxism, is commonly seen in individuals who aren’t even aware of themselves having this issue.

Tooth Abscess

A tooth abscess is a painful infection that can occur in your tooth, the surrounding gums, or down in the jawbone. Depending on the stage the abscess is in, it’s symptoms can vary to both ends of the pain spectrum. However, regardless of where it has formed or where your pain level is, tooth abscesses don’t heal on their own and can eventually lead to serious health complications if left untreated.

Oral Cancer

Roughly 63% of those diagnosed with oral cancer are still alive 5-years following their diagnosis. Oral cancer, or sometimes referred to as mouth cancer or oral cavity cancer, describes cancer that develops in the mouth, which includes the gums, tongue, lips, cheek lining, roof of the mouth, and under the tongue. Fortunately, this condition is relatively rare as only around 11 out of 100,000 people develop oral cancer during the course of their lifetime. When visiting your doctor to determine whether or not you have oral cancer, they may conduct a physical exam, an endoscopy, a biopsy, or run imaging tests to diagnose your cancer. Like other cancers, oral cancer is treated with surgery where they’ll remove the cancerous growth.

Toothaches

Unfortunately, toothaches can develop in anyone’s mouth, although practicing healthy oral habits will dramatically reduce the likelihood. Toothaches can gradually grow in pain or simply start all at once. Additionally, the pain experienced from toothaches can exist on a large spectrum from mild to very severe. There are many reasons why people develop tooth pain, all of which should be diagnosed by a dental professional. Generally, most toothaches occur when the pulp of the tooth becomes inflamed in a process which impacts the nerve endings.

Floss With GumChucks to Maintain Optimal Oral Health

Flossing and brushing twice per day is essential to preventing many of these common oral health issues. Flossing is the only way to remove plaque from between your teeth, flossing regularly also helps keep tartar out of hard-to-reach places. GumChucks’ design ensures a flossing experience that’s faster, easier, and more effective than competing flossers or traditional floss. Our two handles with disposable floss allows you to comfortably reach all your teeth, even those in the back while wrapping the floss around each tooth. This creates the vital “C-Shape” necessary to get below the gum line and effectively clean each tooth.