Most people are aware of cavities and gum disease and how they can lead to painful oral infections and permanent tooth loss. Thankfully, these issues can usually be prevented with excellent oral hygiene habits and regular visits to your oral health professional’s office. Here’s a quick look at a few lesser-known oral health problems and how they can be treated.
Aggressive Juvenile Periodontitis
Gum disease is incredibly common, and about half of American adults have some form of it. However, severe gum disease is quite rare among children and teenagers even if they do not practice proper oral hygiene habits.
Unfortunately, some children can develop aggressive gum disease the progresses rapidly, and this can lead to the body attacking the infection in a way that is hazardous to their tooth and bone structure as well as their soft tissues. While this usually only affects one or a few teeth, there are cases when an infection like this threatens a child’s entire smile. The best way to detect aggressive juvenile periodontitis so it can be treated promptly is to schedule your child for regular appointments at their dentist’s office.
Taurodontism
This condition is characterized by the patient having especially large chambers inside their teeth. These chambers house the soft pulp tissue, but their being too large can lead to thinner enamel, which makes teeth easier to injure and more vulnerable to painful and destructive infections. While this condition cannot be treated directly, the damage it causes can be addressed with restorative treatments like fillings, gum disease treatment, and root canal therapy. However, a tooth that is so severely damaged or infected that it cannot be saved will have to be extracted and replaced.
Supernumerary Teeth or Hyperdontia
Some people are born with too many adult teeth. This usually means that one tooth has another one beneath it, and it may never erupt on its own. However, it can cause a host of issues like dental drift, misalignments, crowding, or impaction. While this usually requires the extra tooth to be extracted, the problem may be able to be addressed with orthodontics in some cases.
Serious oral health issues can be difficult for most people to detect on their own. Seeing your dentist regularly can help you stay comfortable and healthy.
About the Author
Dr. Farshad Bakhtyari earned his dental degree at Boston University and has completed an Advanced Education in General Dentistry Residency. His office in Herndon offers general, restorative, cosmetic, and emergency dentistry. If you would like to schedule your next checkup, contact his office online or dial (703) 860-8860.