The Most Common Dental Problems

They accompany us for nearly a lifetime, and, like good friends, we should be treat accordingly.  However, our teeth are one of the things we most often neglect.  After all, they play an important role when it comes to our beauty and charm.  Gleaming white teeth not only make us more attractive to others, but they also make us more likeable.  Unfortunately, these hard workers are very sensitive, which is why they can be susceptible to dental problems.

Sensitive Teeth

How often do we catch ourselves in a hurry, quickly running a toothbrush over our teeth, using extra pressure to make up for a lack of time?  We also may be surprised to experience pain or toothaches when eating hot or cold foods. 

The simple but painful reason: The tooth necks have become exposed.  Due to incorrect brushing or excessive force, the gums can be easily rubbed away.  This causes nerves to become exposed and to react sensitively to outer stimuli.  However, gingivitis (an inflammation of the gums) may also cause teeth to become sensitive and the gums to recede.  If untreated, gingivitis causes teeth to become loose and eventually fall out.  In this case, only a trip to your dentist can help.

To protect teeth, make sure you practice the correct brushing technique.
Exchange your hard toothbrush for a softer one, or try an electronic toothbrush with pressure control.  It is also important to use the right toothpaste.  Choose a toothpaste for sensitive teeth, such as from Theramed (check a retailer in your country for availability).

Discolouration

We all dream of having gleaming white teeth, but naturally white teeth are seldom.  Over the years, our teeth become discoloured and yellow.  This may also be caused by tea, coffee, red wine and nicotine consumption.  Therefore, we often turn to bleaching methods to whiten our teeth.

A particularly gentle way to removing unattractive discolouration is to use specially formulated dental care products that whiten sensitive teeth (recommended: Theramed).  These products gently remove discolouration during brushing.  Another type of discolouration can be caused by excessive abrasion (rubbing) of the enamel.  Here teeth also appear yellow, because the hollows in the socket are transparent.  Not only brushing with hard bristles and under high pressure causes the enamel to be rubbed away.  The continuous consumption of acidic foods like lemonade also attacks the enamel, causing it to soften.  In this case, we recommend brushing with an electronic toothbrush.

Use a toothpaste that regenerates and hardens the enamel, such as Theramed Mineral Titan.  Also, reduce your consumption of acidic foods and wait at least a quarter of an hour after eating such foods before brushing.  Otherwise, the enamel is still too soft.

Bad Breath 

For many, bad breath is a taboo topic.  We keep quiet, and those afflicted feel excluded (and perhaps unaware).  Poor hygiene is however not the only cause of bad breath.  Other factors include gastro-intestinal disturbances, a respiratory infection, or a liver or kidney ailment.  Most often, the cause lies in the nose or throat.  Traces of food in the spaces between the teeth, on the top of the tongue, or periodontosis (gum disease) offer micro organisms the ideal conditions to thrive.  These organisms produce sulphurous compounds, which we then perceive as bad breath.  If you have cavities or gum disease, you will need to consult your dentist.  Dry mouth, often caused by inadequate production of saliva, also stimulates the production of bacteria.  To promote saliva production, chew a sugar-free chewing gum regularly.  To prevent bad breath, clean the spaces between your teeth regularly with dental floss and clean your tongue with a soft brush or a special scraper.

Also, a specially formulated mouthwash (e.g., Theramed 3D Clean) will give you fresher breath and at the same time fight against bacteria.