Many of us are embarrassed by the dental problems we have, but the truth is that just about everyone has some sort of dental malady or another.
It’s not unusual, and therefore is nothing to be embarrassed about – as long as you’re getting it treated, that is! Here are five of the most common:
1) Bad Breath
If you have bad breath, you are not alone. The truth is, there is no larger oral health problem than bad breath, also called halitosis. In 4 out of 5 cases, a dental condition is to blame. This can be dry mouth, having cavities, gum disease, bacteria on your tongue and other factors.
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2) Mouth Sores
If you have them, don’t worry. Lots of people do. They come in many varieties, too. Canker sores, cold sores, fever blisters, ulcers, and more among the most common.
Thankfully, they are rarely anything more than a nuisance. They often go away after a few weeks. Once in awhile one of them can point to a bigger problem.
If you have a mouth sore that lasts for more than two weeks, see your dentist!
3) Cavities
The scourge of tooth decay is one of the most common oral health problems in America, and in fact it’s one of the most common medical problems of all.
Cavities hit almost as many Americans as the common cold. If you brush twice a day, however, and remember to floss, watch what you eat , and more, you’ll enjoy the best defense – which is prevention!
4) Gum Disease
Technically this is known as periodontal disease. Gum disease happens when the gums surrounding your pearly whites become infected. This usually begins with gingivitis.
After a while it progresses and may lead to tooth loss. Gum disease is actually the most common reason for tooth loss among adults
5) Oral Cancer
Oral cancer doesn’t get the attention other cancers do, so you might be surprised to learn that there are 300,000 new cases of oral cancer diagnosed each year. At any time, millions of Americans may have oral cancer.
As with any cancer, it can be a deadly problem if left untreated, but thankfully it’s also very treatable, especially if caught early. That’s a good reason to see your dentist regularly!
We’re sure almost everyone reading this has suffered from at least one of these at one time or another. It’s nothing to be ashamed of. Just be sure to see your dentist regularly so small problems don’t become big ones!