Tooth Disorders: Decay, Abscesses, Impacted and Misaligned Teeth, and How to Prevent Them

Teeth let you eat, speak and smile — things most people take for granted until something goes wrong.

How a tooth is built

A tooth is made of a hard, bonelike material in four parts:

• Enamel — the hard outer surface.
• Dentin — the hard yellow layer under the enamel.
• Cementum — the hard tissue covering the root, which holds the tooth in place.
• Pulp — the soft connective tissue at the center, containing nerves and blood vessels.

Common tooth problems

• Tooth decay — damage to the tooth's surface, which can lead to cavities.
• Abscess — a pocket of pus caused by an infection in the tooth.
• Impacted tooth — one that did not erupt (break through the gum) when it should have. It is usually a wisdom tooth, but other teeth can be affected.
• Misaligned teeth (malocclusion).
• Injuries — broken or chipped teeth.

The cause depends on the problem. Sometimes it is poor care of the teeth; sometimes a person is born with the problem, or it comes from an accident.

Signs

Symptoms vary with the problem. Common ones are a tooth of an unusual color or shape, tooth pain, and worn-down teeth.

Diagnosis and treatment

The dentist asks about your symptoms, looks at your teeth and probes them with dental instruments; sometimes you will need dental X-rays. Treatment depends on the problem. Common ones are:

• fillings for cavities;
• root canals for cavities or infections that reach the pulp;
• extractions (pulling teeth) for impacted teeth that are causing trouble, teeth too damaged to fix, or overcrowding.

Prevention

The main defense is caring for your teeth:

• Brush twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste.
• Clean between your teeth every day with floss or another between-the-teeth cleaner.
• Limit sugary snacks and drinks.
• Don't smoke or chew tobacco.
• See your dentist or oral health professional regularly.

Sources

• MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine, "Tooth Disorders." https://medlineplus.gov/toothdisorders.html
• Rewritten in hubnx's own words.