7 Common Dental Problems and How to Avoid Them

Heather Martinson • September 13, 2022

More than 3.5 billion people worldwide suffer from some kind of oral or dental condition. Needless to say, dental problems are very common but they are also very easy to prevent.

With regular dental hygiene and occasional visits to your dentist in Arlington, TX, your dental health should remain in great shape throughout your life.

But what are the most common dental problems anyway and how can you identify them? Keep reading and learn more about these dental problems and how you can prevent them below.

1. Tooth Decay

Tooth decay is certainly one of the most common dental problems in the world. Tooth decay is simply a question of oral hygiene.

If you don't brush your teeth, the bacteria in your mouth will start to produce acid in response to metabolizing particles of food in your mouth. Over time, this acid will start to dissolve your tooth enamel and result in tooth decay.

Tooth decay starts quite slowly, and you may not even know that you have this problem at first. It only becomes more noticeable once your teeth start to look yellow or brown and when your teeth become sensitive to hot and cold temperatures. The best way to prevent tooth decay is to brush your teeth at least twice every day.

Preferably, you should brush your teeth after you eat any meal, especially anything containing sugar. That way, if oral bacteria happen to produce any harmful acid, you can simply brush that acid away before it can wreak havoc on your oral health.

2. Dental Cavities

Tooth decay and cavities often go hand-in-hand. This is because as tooth decay starts to get worse and your tooth enamel starts to get weak, dental cavities begin to form. Most people have a cavity or two without even realizing it.

This is because when cavities start, they are quite unnoticeable. They don't cause any pain and they are usually invisible or they may appear as little white dots on the surface of your teeth. But as they progress, they will slowly get more serious.

They may turn brown or black and they may even become real holes in your tooth if you leave them untreated. Eventually, they will start to cause pain and they may even cause dental infections in severe cases.

This is why finding a dentist is a good idea, so if you think you have a cavity, you can go to your local dentist and get it treated before it becomes a more serious problem.

3. Gum Disease

Gum disease, also known as gingivitis, is yet another very common oral health condition. Gingivitis is another one of those conditions that start rather harmlessly but can become quite serious if left untreated. Gingivitis involves the inflammation of the gums.

This may happen for a variety of reasons but it usually has to do with not flossing. Flossing stimulates your gums and ensures that they get proper blood flow. It also helps prevent the formation of tartar.

Tartar is a hard, white, or yellow substance that forms at the base of your teeth. It tends to irritate the gums and causes gum disease or makes it worse. Gum disease is characterized by red and puffy gums.

In severe cases, it may lead to bleeding gums, infections, and even tooth loss. To prevent gum disease, all you need to do is floss and brush your teeth.

4. Sensitive Teeth

If you have sensitive teeth, it means that you will feel discomfort when you consume something hot or cold. Tooth sensitivity happens when your tooth enamel becomes thin and weak. If your tooth enamel is too thin, it will not be able to protect the nerves inside your teeth.

This often happens due to tooth decay. However, it may also happen if you brush your teeth too hard and scrape away some of your enamel. Brushing your teeth more gently and using water with fluoride should help the problem.

5. Tooth Infections

Tooth infections are also known as abscesses and can become quite serious if left untreated. Tooth infections are painful and usually cause swelling in the gums around the affected tooth. Tooth infections may happen as a result of advanced tooth decay or cavities.

Once you have a tooth infection, you must go to a dentist to get it treated. Otherwise, the infection may cause you to lose your teeth or it may spread to the rest of your body and cause grave consequences.

6. Receding Gums

Receding gums are usually the result of advanced gum disease. If you are not caring for your gums at all, they will start to recede and reveal the roots of your teeth. This will contribute to other problems such as tooth sensitivity and even infections.

You can stop your gums from receding by brushing and flossing. However, if your gums have already receded, you may need to get surgery to replace the missing tissue so the roots of your teeth remain protected.

7. Cracked or Chipped Teeth

Damaged teeth often happen from grinding your teeth, chewing on hard substances like ice, or sustaining some kind of trauma. Whatever the case, the only way to fix a damaged tooth is to go to the dentist.

If your tooth is cracked, the dentist may use a crown to cover it. If it is only chipped, the dentist may use a veneer or dental bond to cover it.

Treatment From Your Dentist in Arlington TX

There are many dental problems to consider, and that's why it's important to have a dentist in Arlington, TX on your side. As long as you have a good dentist, you can go in for the occasional checkup and make sure your dental health is in good shape.

To learn more about dental care, contact us here.

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Dr. Heather E. Martinson

D.D.S

Dr. Martinson has been serving patients and improving smiles through her work for the past 25 years. She attended both Southern University in Tennessee and the University of Texas at Arlington before earning her Doctor of Dental Surgery at Loma Linda University School of Dentistry in Southern California. She is a graduate of The Dawson Academy in Florida and the Schuster Center in Arizona, and has completed several cosmetic, implant and restorative continuing education courses. Dr. Martinson has also earned certification in the American Academy of Facial Esthetics. This allows her to provide Botox and dermal fillers to her dental patients.

The favorite part of Dr. Martinson’s job is being able to work closely with so many wonderful people and help them become healthier! And also help them to avoid heart attacks and strokes!

Dr. Martinson is married to Captain Myron Martinson (formerly a pilot with American Airlines). Together they have several 4-legged kiddos. When she is not busy at work, she enjoys bicycling, gardening, cooking, entertaining and traveling with family.

Dr. Martinson maintains active membership in the following professional organizations:

The Dental Implant Process Explained

By Heather E. Martinson, DDS • May 21, 2025

Undergoing a comprehensive surgical procedure, such as a dental implant, can be a big step. Still, studies like one by Tobias et al. (2025) report over a 97% success rate , even after five years. These show that it can offer significant long-term benefits with a reasonable guarantee of retention. So, if you are searching for a reliable solution to a dental issue, Dr. Heather Martinson, DDS, may be the one to choose for state-of-the-art implant surgery, but what does it entail? Below, our dental implants guide describes the dental implant process step-by-step to help you understand and feel more comfortable getting the smile you want. Explore each stage, from the initial consultation to attaching the crown. Then, discover what you might want to discuss with Dr. Heather Martinson, DDS, to ensure you get the desired results. Why Dental Implants are Our Best Fix for Missing Teeth Unlike crowns or fillings, dental implants are not a simple cap on an existing tooth . Nor are they intended to be temporary. Instead, they replace both the tooth's root and crown , preserving the jawbone and structure of the face by offering a complete prosthetic that the body should accept as its own. Titanium posts integrate with the bone and offer a very stable foundation for chewing. This is one of the reasons studies such as those by Kupka et al (2024) have found that dental implants often last for decades, with 80% continuing to last for over 20 years. With crowns, you will still need to be careful of what you bite into in case the prosthetic detaches from the tooth. However, implants can often restore the full force of your bite. For this reason, Dr. Heather Martinson, DDS , and her team prefer to use these prostheses, eliminating several difficulties one might encounter with other options. How Gaps Affect Function and Appearance We understand that it can sometimes be tempting to leave tooth gaps as they are due to the perceived hassle of installing a new implant. However, missing teeth can drastically impact the mouth beyond issues with appearance or speech patterns, as it can cause the jawbone itself to start "sagging" where the tooth no longer exists. Teeth may also begin to shift position, leading to bite issues. Early restoration via a professionally-implanted denture can prevent this loss and maintain the face's proportions. Perfect for maintaining a youthful visage. Why Implants Outperform Bridges and Dentures Bridges and dentures are critical parts of a high-quality dentistry offering . However, they do not tend to last as long as an implant due to how implants preserve the underlying bone. This fact may go a long way towards explaining why the NIDCR in the US has recently discussed a " fourfold increase " in the number of adults receiving dental implants over two decades. Still, that doesn't mean discounting these options. If you feel a bridge or denture may be best for you, you should discuss your options with our dental team . Discuss the pros and cons of each option. In some cases, implant-supported dentures are also available , allowing for a combination of both. Dental Implant Process Step-by-Step at Heather Martinson DDS Our implant procedure steps combine: Consultations 3D imaging Surgical planning Continual checks for precision Constant coordination with colleagues Using these, we can ensure that your results are accurate and efficient. Initial Consultation and 3D Scan The first step is always to take a detailed medical and dental history . Using this, we can determine if you have any risk factors, such as smoking habits, that we need to be aware of so we can help maintain your safety. Then, we will assess how your jaw aligns to ensure we do not interfere with this. Our advanced scanner can capture 3-dimensional images of every part of your mouth for precision-planning, including: Jawbones Sinuses Nerve canals Details of prior surgery We can even use this to preview the final outcome before surgery, allowing you to understand the most likely results and give a go-ahead from a position of knowledge. Precise Implant Placement Before the final crown "tooth" can be placed in the jaw, you will require surgery to install the implant itself. This implant is the structure that sits in your jawbone, maintaining the visible crown's position while preventing it from moving. This step involves local anesthesia or other forms of sedation to ensure your comfort. Then, the dentist will create a path for your implant to sit within your jaw. The implant is up to 5mm in diameter and up to 13mm in length, meaning it is robust enough to prevent damage due to torsion or other forces. After the placement, the dentist will use sutures and a protective cap to shield the site. During this healing phase, the implant undergoes "osseointegration," which is the growth of bone cells around the implant surface. This process takes up to six months to ensure it integrates with the body. Once the dentist is sure that your body has accepted the implant, they will reveal the site of the implant and perform a scan to ensure that an external lab can produce a perfect crown for the area, matching your prior teeth as closely as possible. After the final attachment, you can review the tooth , offering feedback such as colour adjustments or determining whether it needs minor alteration to match your bite. Long-Term Implant Care The Arlington, TX, dental care experts can offer advice and guidance on the best steps to ensure that the implant lasts as long as possible and remains comfortable. However, should you need anything else , their clinic will be available for you to follow up, so ask them for more details on how you need to schedule follow-up appointments to ensure you get the best results. Take the Next Step with One of the Best Dentists in Arlington After learning the dental implant process step-by-step , you should understand what it entails and be able to make better healthcare decisions. With over 25 years of experience in Arlington, TX, we can ensure your treatment focuses on improving your dental health and restoring your natural and healthy beauty using the latest techniques and advances. If you want to investigate the possibility of an implant, remember that you can always request a free consultation with Heather Martinson, DDS. Following that, you should be able to begin your journey to regain your full chewing ability and a confident smile.