We all have mouths – life would be hard without one – and we all need to take care of them.
The thing about oral health is that it’s a diverse area. Some dental problems are minor and some can be simply devastating.
What sort of problems? Read along as we count down the five most common dental problems in America and to see just what is making people (and their teeth) suffer out there:
5) Mouth Sores
There are many different types of mouth sores. Among the most common are canker sores, fever blisters, cold sores and ulcers. All of them can be terribly bothersome. The good news is, most mouth sores are never much more than a nuisance. They go away after a few weeks at most. Once in a while one can point to a bigger problem, so if a mouth sore lasts for more than two weeks be sure to see your dentist near Manahawkin. However, in most cases these are pretty low on the priority list of oral health problems to be concerned about.
4) Oral Cancer
Many other types of cancer get a lot more spotlight, but the truth is, some 300,000 new cases of oral cancer are diagnosed each year. In fact, at any given time millions are affected by it. Like all types of cancer, it can be deadly if left untreated. It can also lead to severe damage to the mouth, lips and throat. The good news is that oral cancer is highly treatable if caught early – and the best way to catch it early is with regular visits to your dentist.
3) Gum Disease
Also known as periodontal disease, gum disease is when your gums become infected. This can start with simple gingivitis, but when gum disease progresses it can lead to tooth loss. In fact, gum disease is cited as the biggest cause of tooth loss among adults in America. The best way to combat this malady is by following the daily oral health routine suggested by your dentist near Manahawkin.
2) Cavities
Cavities, also known as tooth decay, is not just one of the most common oral health problems in the country, it’s actually one of the most common health problems overall, affecting about as many people as the common cold. Brushing twice a day, flossing, and watching what you eat are your best defenses against this common problem. Tooth decay is caused when plaque buildup and sugars combine to eat away at your tooth enamel and the teeth themselves. This is a problem where prevention is the best approach, because once it progresses too far there is no reversing it. It will take major dentistry to fix the issue.
1) Bad Breath
There is no oral health problem more common than bad breath, also known as halitosis. Bad breath can be caused by many things, but in the majority of cases – more than 4 out of 5 cases, in fact – a simple dental condition is to blame. They can include dry mouth, cavities, gum disease, bacteria on the tongue and others. All of these can all be causes of bad breath. If you have persistent bad breath, you should visit your dental office, because mouth wash only covers the problem, it doesn’t cure it.
Your teeth are some of the most interesting parts of the human body. Really! Ask any dentist near Manahawkin and they’ll agree (though admittedly, they may be biased). If you don’t believe us, just take a look at these amazing facts:
- This is a good reason to fight plaque: plaque can be home to up to 300 different types of bacteria!
- Gold crowns are not new. The ancient Romans used them to restore cavity ravaged teeth!
- The ancient Romans made toothpaste from honey and crushed eggshells.
- The most common disease in America is the common cold, followed closely by none other than tooth decay!
- Your Barnegat dental office recommends brushing your teeth for two minutes, but the average person does it for just 48 seconds.
- It’s best not to cap your toothbrush, because that can help spark even more bacterial growth than usual. It needs open air!
- When you eat matters. Eating sugary foods after a meal reduces the risk of cavities, believe it or not!
- A prison inmate in West Virginia once used dental floss to scale a wall and escape.
- Elephant teeth can measure a foot across and weight six pounds.
- The hardest substance in your body is your tooth enamel!
- A knocked out tooth will start to die in 15 minutes. To help it last longer, put it in milk or hold it in your mouth.
- About 3 out of 4 Americans have Periodontal gum disease to one degree or another. That’s why we need dentists!
- Crocodiles have it easier then you do, thanks to a species of bird called the crocodile bird. This bird flies into the open mouths of those big lizards and cleans their teeth for them!
- Dentists want you to floss because if you skip flossing, you miss about 40% of your teeth surface!
- A single can of soda can contain 12 teaspoons of sugar, which is as much sugar as six to twelve cups of coffee!
- The first bristled toothbrush was made in China way back in the late 1400s, and was made of hog, horse and badger hair.
- You’ll spend just over 38 days brushing your teeth over the course of your life – and your Manahawkin dentist thanks you for it!
- Egyptian mummies have been discovered with dental fillings! Talk about early surgery!
- The biggest choking hazard in the U.S. is the toothpick. It’s true! More people choke on toothpicks annually than they do food.
- Your dental records are important because just like your fingerprints, your teeth totally unique to you.
- The idea that George Washington had wooden dentures is a myth. They were actually made from ivory, metals, and animal teeth.
- A snail’s mouth contains over 25,000 teeth!
- Giraffes only have bottom teeth; do not have upper teeth!
- Sports injuries account for upwards of 5 million teeth getting knocked out each year!
We hope you enjoyed these crazy facts about teeth! We’ll be sure to share more with you in future articles, so check back and enjoy!

