Types of Dental Problems

Even frequent brushing and flossing won't overcome daily stress or a genetic predisposition to certain conditions of the teeth and gums. However, dental problems usually result from improper oral health care. Many types of dental problems evolve as a result of a lesser problem that wasn't treated. For example, nighttime grinding leads to cracked tooth enamel, which in turn can lead to a tooth infection.

Broken or Lost Tooth

• Sports injuries, accidents and hard foods can all result in lost or broken teeth. However, unconscious tooth grinding, erosion, cavities and gum disease can have the same effect by causing weakened tooth enamel. Weakened enamel can lead to cracks that, if left untreated, can result in pain, infection or even tooth loss.

Cavities

• Cavities, or caries, result when bacteria present in the mouth digest sugars. The bacteria's acidic digestion byproduct breaks down the tooth enamel and causes demineralization of the tooth.

Discoloration

• While some people are born with yellowish teeth, certain foods and beverages can cause a change in tooth color. Foods like blueberries, red wine and coffee stain teeth.

Dry Mouth

• Also known as xerostomia, dry mouth encourages the growth of harmful bacteria that would otherwise be controlled by the enzymes in saliva. Dry mouth leads to tooth decay, gum disease and bad breath.

Enamel Erosion

• Seen most prominently in bulimics and wine tasters, tooth erosion results from constant exposure to acid. Exposure to acidic drinks like lemonade, coffee and soda cause mild tooth erosion on a daily basis. The enamel of the teeth begins to wear away resulting in thin, rounded teeth. If not controlled, teeth can erode to the gum line.

Grinding

• Tooth grinding, or bruxism, is an unconscious action that results from stress. Prolonged grinding wears down the chewing surfaces of teeth and can lead to cracked teeth and jaw problems such as temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ).

Gum Disease

• Gum disease results from a buildup of plaque, or layers of bacteria. The bacteria wear away gum tissue and cause pockets to form between the gum and the tooth enamel. These pockets fill with food and/or bacteria, continuing the gum erosion. At its least harmful, gum disease is known as gingivitis and is a common and lifelong condition among teenagers and adults. People who suffer from diseases that suppress the immune system, such as diabetes, can develop a severe gum disease known as periodontitis. Daily oral care routines, overall health, and genetics influence the severity of gum disease.

Impacted Wisdom Tooth

• Wisdom teeth grow at the back of the jaw near the joint. While most people cut wisdom teeth with little or no problem, sometimes the tooth grows at an angle, or is crowded between the jaw joint and the nearest molar. In these cases, the tooth becomes impacted and doesn't burst through the gum completely. This allows food and bacteria to invade the gum line and causes an infection. Fully-grown wisdom teeth are also prone to cavities.

Sensitivity

• Tooth sensitivity results from a loss of tooth enamel. The thinning tooth allows heat, cold and pressure to travel through the tooth to the nerve, causing pain. The severity of sensitivity ranges from an occasional annoyance, to an extremely painful toothache.