ADVERTORIAL: Your teeth may be telling you something: Dental problems you shouldn’t ignore

A sensitive tooth when drinking something cold. Gums that bleed while brushing. A missing tooth you have learned to live with. Teeth that have gradually shifted out of alignment.

Dental problems are often easy to postpone, especially when there is no severe pain. But some of the most common concerns affecting our teeth, gums, bite and jaw can gradually become more difficult to manage when left unattended.

The good news is that modern dental care is about much more than treating a toothache.

When a Dental Problem Needs a Surgeon

Some dental and facial conditions require a different level of specialist care. A wisdom tooth that repeatedly becomes painful, a tooth that cannot be removed routinely, swelling or a lesion inside the mouth, or certain problems involving the jaw and facial structures may require assessment by an Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon.

Dr. Mohamed Salman Basha, Senior Consultant in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at Tree Top Hospital, provides specialist surgical management for conditions involving the mouth, jaws and facial structures.

This can include complex tooth and impacted wisdom tooth removal, jaw and facial conditions, cysts and other oral lesions, dental implants and bone grafting, and management of facial and jaw injuries, depending on the individual case.

Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery therefore goes well beyond removing difficult teeth. It bridges dental care and surgical management of conditions affecting the wider mouth, jaw and facial region.

Crooked Teeth Aren’t Just About Your Smile

Many people associate braces and orthodontic treatment mainly with having straighter teeth. However, the way teeth and jaws are positioned can also affect a person’s bite, chewing and overall oral function.

Dr. Asim Ghouse Basha, Orthodontist and Dentofacial Orthopedic at Tree Top Hospital, provides specialist assessment and management of problems involving the alignment of teeth and jaws.

Orthodontic assessment can be particularly relevant for people with crowded or crooked teeth, gaps between teeth, teeth that do not meet properly when biting, or concerns about jaw and dental development.

And orthodontics is not necessarily something that has to begin during childhood. Adults who have lived with alignment or bite concerns for years can also discuss whether orthodontic treatment may be appropriate for them.

Missing Teeth? You Don’t Necessarily Have to Live with Them

Losing a tooth can affect much more than appearance. Depending on where the tooth is located, it may affect chewing, speech and the way the remaining teeth function.

This is where Prosthodontics becomes important.

Dr. Shabina Aysha Begum Makkapalum, Consultant Prosthodontist at Tree Top Hospital, specialises in the restoration and replacement of teeth, helping patients restore both function and appearance when teeth are missing or significantly damaged.

Prosthodontic care may involve options such as crowns, bridges, dentures and other forms of dental restoration, depending on the patient’s individual condition.

So that missing or badly damaged tooth you have simply become accustomed to may still have options for restoration.

When Everyday Dental Problems Keep Coming Back

Persistent toothache, sensitivity, bleeding gums, bad breath, broken or damaged teeth and recurring discomfort while eating are all reasons to consider a dental assessment.

At Tree Top Hospital, Dr. Naifa Afeef, Dental Surgeon, Dr. Aman Ullah Siddiqi, General Dentist, and Dr. Aminath Reesha, Senior Dentist, provide dental care for a range of common oral health concerns.

Routine dental care can also help identify problems before they become painful. Depending on the condition, treatment may range from preventive dental care and fillings to root canal treatment, gum care and tooth removal.

If you are unsure which dental specialist to consult, a general dentist is always a good place to start. A general dentist can assess your oral health, identify potential concerns and recommend appropriate treatment. Where specialized care is required, patients can be referred to the relevant dental specialist for further evaluation and management.

There Is More to Dentistry Than Treating Pain

One person may need help with bleeding gums. Another may want to correct a bite they have struggled with since childhood. Someone else may want to replace missing teeth, while another may require specialist treatment for an impacted wisdom tooth.

That is why dental care is not one-size-fits-all.

Tree Top Hospital’s Dental Medicine and Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery services bring together general dental care with specialist expertise in Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics, Prosthodontics, and Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, allowing patients to be directed to the appropriate care based on their individual needs.

And perhaps the most important reason to see a dentist is not because something hurts. It is to prevent a small dental problem from becoming the reason it eventually does.

Appointments can be booked by contacting Tree Top Hospital at 3351610.