5 common dental problems and how to treat them

Part of General dentistry

Most dental problems start small and are simple to fix early. These are the five we see most often, what causes them and what actually helps.

1. Cavities

What it is: a hole in a tooth caused by decay. Signs: sensitivity to cold or sweet food, dark marks, or pain when you bite. Treatment: a filling if it is caught early, or a root canal if decay reaches the nerve. Read more about cavities.

2. Gum disease

What it is: inflammation caused by plaque along the gumline. Signs: bleeding when you brush, swollen gums, bad breath or loose teeth. Treatment: at the early stage, it is reversible with a professional clean and better brushing. Later stages need gum treatment.

3. Sensitive teeth

What it is: a sharp feeling with cold, hot or sweet things, usually from exposed dentine. Treatment: sensitive-teeth toothpaste helps mild cases. If pain is sudden or lingers, it can mean decay or a crack and should be checked. Read more about sensitive teeth.

4. Bad breath

What it is: most persistent bad breath starts in the mouth, from bacteria on the tongue, gum disease or decay under an old filling. Treatment: mouthwash masks it for an hour, while finding and treating the source fixes it. Read more about bad breath.

5. Cracked or broken teeth

What it is: damage from biting something hard, grinding, an old large filling or an injury. Signs: pain on biting or a sharp edge. Treatment: this ranges from bonding to a crown or root canal, depending on the depth. Read more about cracked teeth.

When should you see a dentist?

Book a visit if a problem lasts more than a few days. Severe pain, facial swelling, a knocked-out tooth or bleeding that will not stop are same-day emergencies.