Most people visit a dentist only when something hurts. But many serious dental problems start silently — with symptoms so mild that they're easy to ignore until the damage is significant. This guide covers 70+ common dental problems, their correct medical names, their early warning signs, and the treatments we offer at The Dentist. Use it as a reference — and if you recognise any symptom, book a check-up before it becomes a bigger issue.
Tooth decay is the most common dental disease globally and affects all age groups. It begins when bacteria in plaque produce acids that erode enamel. Caught early, it's completely reversible. Left untreated, it leads to pain, infection, and tooth loss.
| Problem | Medical Term | Key Symptoms | Treatment at The Dentist |
|---|---|---|---|
| Early Cavity | Incipient Caries | White/chalky spot on tooth, no pain yet | Fluoride ApplicationRemineralisation |
| Cavities / Tooth Decay | Dental Caries | Dark spots, tooth sensitivity, toothache, visible holes | Composite FillingInlay / Onlay |
| Deep Cavity (near nerve) | Deep Caries | Severe pain, sensitivity to hot & cold, lingering ache | Root CanalCrown |
| Baby Bottle Tooth Decay | Early Childhood Caries | Brown/black spots on front baby teeth, sensitivity | Fluoride VarnishFillingsExtraction if severe |
| Secondary Decay | Recurrent Caries | Decay forming beneath or around existing fillings | Replace Old FillingCrown |
| Root Decay | Root Caries | Decay at the root surface, common in older adults with gum recession | Root FillingGum Treatment |
Gum disease affects more than 80% of Indian adults to some degree — and most don't know they have it because early stages are painless. It is the leading cause of tooth loss in adults, yet it is almost entirely preventable and treatable when caught early.
| Problem | Medical Term | Key Symptoms | Treatment at The Dentist |
|---|---|---|---|
| Early Gum Disease | Gingivitis | Bleeding gums when brushing, redness, swelling, bad breath | Professional CleaningOral Hygiene Coaching |
| Advanced Gum Disease | Periodontitis | Receding gums, loose teeth, pus, persistent bad breath, gum pockets | Scaling & Root PlaningLaser Gum Therapy |
| Severe Bone Loss | Advanced Periodontitis | Teeth shifting, pain while chewing, tooth loss risk | Flap SurgeryBone Graft |
| Gum Abscess | Periodontal Abscess | Swollen painful lump on gum, pus discharge, fever | DrainageAntibioticsDeep Cleaning |
| Gum Overgrowth | Gingival Hyperplasia | Gums growing over teeth, often drug-induced | Laser Gingivectomy |
| Gum Recession | Gingival Recession | Teeth look longer, root exposure, sensitivity at gum line | Gum GraftingPinhole Technique |
| Dark / Pigmented Gums | Gingival Melanosis | Black or brown patches on the gums, no pain | Laser Depigmentation |
| Gummy Smile | Excessive Gingival Display | Too much gum visible when smiling | Laser Gum ContouringSmile Designing |
Bleeding when brushing is the #1 early sign of gum disease — and it's completely treatable. Our specialist will assess your gum health and create a personalised plan.
Pain is your tooth's only way of communicating a problem. The type, duration, and trigger of the pain all give us valuable diagnostic clues — from a simple sensitivity fix to a root canal that saves a tooth.
| Problem | Medical Term | Key Symptoms | Treatment at The Dentist |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tooth Sensitivity | Dentin Hypersensitivity | Sharp pain on cold/hot/sweet foods, brief and sharp | Desensitising AgentsFluoride VarnishBonding |
| Toothache | Odontalgia | Dull or throbbing pain in or around a tooth | Diagnosis + Root Canal / Filling |
| Nerve Inflammation | Pulpitis (Reversible) | Pain triggered by cold, resolves in seconds | Deep FillingCrown |
| Dying Nerve | Pulpitis (Irreversible) | Spontaneous pain, lingers after stimulus, wakes you at night | Root Canal TreatmentCrown |
| Dead Tooth | Pulp Necrosis | No pain (nerve is dead), tooth may darken, risk of infection | Root CanalInternal Bleaching |
| Referred Tooth Pain | Orofacial Referred Pain | Pain felt in a different area from the actual source | Specialist Diagnosis Required |
| Wisdom Tooth Pain | Pericoronitis | Pain at back of jaw, swollen flap of gum over wisdom tooth, difficulty opening mouth | IrrigationExtraction |
Physical trauma, biting hard foods, or grinding can crack and break teeth. The type of fracture determines the treatment — from a simple bonding repair to a crown or extraction in severe cases.
| Problem | Medical Term | Key Symptoms | Treatment at The Dentist |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipped Tooth | Enamel Fracture | Rough edge, cosmetic concern, no pain usually | Dental BondingVeneer |
| Cracked Tooth | Cracked Tooth Syndrome | Pain when biting, intermittent, hard to pinpoint | CrownRoot Canal if deep |
| Split Tooth | Tooth Fracture (complete) | Severe pain, tooth splits into segments | Extraction + Implant |
| Vertical Root Fracture | Vertical Root Fracture | Pain with swelling, sometimes pus alongside root | ExtractionImplant |
| Broken Filling / Crown | Restoration Fracture | Rough or sharp sensation where restoration was | Replace RestorationNew Crown |
| Worn Down Teeth | Dental Attrition / Abrasion | Shorter teeth, sensitivity, flat biting surface | Composite Build-upVeneersNight Guard |
| Acid Erosion | Dental Erosion | Translucent teeth edges, sensitivity, rounded tooth shape | Enamel BondingCrowns |
Crooked, crowded, or protruding teeth aren't just a cosmetic concern — a poor bite puts uneven stress on teeth, increases decay risk, and can cause jaw pain and headaches.
| Problem | Medical Term | Key Symptoms | Treatment at The Dentist |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crooked / Crowded Teeth | Malocclusion | Teeth overlapping, hard to clean, aesthetic concern | Clear AlignersCeramic Braces |
| Overbite | Deep Bite / Overbite | Upper teeth cover too much of lower teeth | Orthodontic Treatment |
| Underbite | Prognathism | Lower teeth in front of upper teeth | OrthodonticsSurgery if severe |
| Open Bite | Apertognathia | Front teeth don't touch when back teeth close | Clear AlignersSurgery if severe |
| Crossbite | Crossbite | Some upper teeth sit behind lower teeth | ExpanderAlignersBraces |
| Spacing / Gaps | Diastema | Gaps between teeth, food packing | AlignersBondingVeneers |
| Teeth Grinding | Bruxism | Jaw pain, headache on waking, worn teeth, broken restorations | Night GuardBotox for Jaw Muscles |
| Jaw Joint Pain | TMD / TMJ Disorder | Clicking jaw, pain near ear, restricted mouth opening | Bite SplintPhysiotherapy |
A missing tooth does far more damage than most people realise. Without a tooth root, the jawbone begins to shrink within months. Adjacent teeth drift into the gap. The sooner a missing tooth is replaced, the simpler and cheaper the solution.
| Problem | Medical Term | Key Symptoms / Causes | Treatment at The Dentist |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single Missing Tooth | Edentulous Space | Gap in smile, adjacent teeth drifting, bone loss beginning | Dental ImplantBridge |
| Multiple Missing Teeth | Partial Edentulism | Difficulty chewing, sunken facial appearance, teeth shifting | ImplantsPartial DentureImplant-Supported Bridge |
| All Teeth Missing | Complete Edentulism | No teeth in one or both jaws | All-On-4 ImplantsCAD-CAM Dentures |
| Congenitally Missing Tooth | Hypodontia / Anodontia | Tooth never developed (most often wisdom teeth or upper lateral incisors) | ImplantOrthodontic Space Closure |
| Failed Implant | Implant Failure / Peri-implantitis | Pain, swelling or mobility around existing implant | Implant RemovalBone GraftRe-implantation |
Every month a tooth goes unreplaced, surrounding bone shrinks and neighbouring teeth drift — making the eventual treatment more complex. Book a free implant consultation today.
While not always medically urgent, cosmetic dental problems significantly affect confidence and quality of life. Modern cosmetic dentistry can address almost any aesthetic concern with minimally invasive techniques.
| Problem | Medical Term | Key Symptoms / Causes | Treatment at The Dentist |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stained / Yellow Teeth | Dental Discolouration | Yellow, brown or grey teeth — from tea, coffee, tobacco, age | Laser WhiteningVeneers |
| Tetracycline Staining | Intrinsic Discolouration | Dark grey bands in teeth, from antibiotics taken in childhood | Porcelain VeneersCrowns |
| Fluorosis | Dental Fluorosis | White spots or brown mottling on teeth from excess fluoride | MicroabrasionVeneers |
| Misshapen Teeth | Morphological Anomaly | Teeth too small, too pointy, or unusual shape | Dental BondingVeneersCrowns |
| Uneven Smile Line | Asymmetric Smile | Teeth at different heights, gum line irregular | Smile DesigningLaser Gum Reshaping |
| Old / Discoloured Fillings | Visible Amalgam Restorations | Dark or grey fillings visible when smiling | Composite ReplacementCeramic Inlay |
Dental infections are among the few dental emergencies that can become life-threatening if left untreated. Swelling that spreads to the jaw or neck requires immediate attention.
| Problem | Medical Term | Key Symptoms | Treatment at The Dentist |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tooth Abscess | Periapical Abscess | Severe throbbing pain, facial swelling, pus, fever, bad taste | Root CanalDrainageAntibiotics |
| Gum Abscess | Periodontal Abscess | Swollen painful lump on gum between teeth, pus | DrainageDeep Cleaning |
| Pericoronal Infection | Pericoronitis | Swelling and pain around partially erupted wisdom tooth | IrrigationWisdom Tooth Extraction |
| Oral Thrush | Oral Candidiasis | White patches on tongue/cheeks that wipe off, soreness | Antifungal Medication |
| Mouth Ulcers | Aphthous Ulcers / Stomatitis | Painful round sores inside cheeks or lips, recurring | Topical Anaesthetic GelLaser Treatment |
| Cold Sores | Herpes Labialis | Tingling, then blistering at lip corners — viral | Antiviral CreamLaser for Faster Healing |
Children's dental problems are often dismissed as minor because baby teeth will fall out anyway. But unhealthy baby teeth cause pain, affect speech development, and set the stage for crooked permanent teeth.
| Problem | Medical Term | Key Symptoms | Treatment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baby Tooth Decay | ECC (Early Childhood Caries) | Brown/black spots on front baby teeth, pain, bad breath | Fluoride VarnishFillingsPulpectomy |
| Thumb Sucking / Habit | Digit Sucking Habit | Protruding front teeth, open bite developing | Habit Breaker ApplianceCounselling |
| Delayed Tooth Eruption | Delayed Eruption | Teeth emerging much later than expected | X-ray MonitoringSpace Maintainer |
| Extra Teeth | Hyperdontia / Supernumerary | Extra tooth erupting between normal teeth | Extraction |
| Dental Trauma (child) | Luxation / Avulsion | Tooth knocked out, displaced or loosened during play | Re-implantationSplinting |
| Teeth Grinding (child) | Paediatric Bruxism | Grinding sound at night, worn baby teeth | MonitoringNight Guard if persistent |
Many general health conditions have oral manifestations — and conversely, poor oral health is linked to heart disease, diabetes, and pregnancy complications. Your mouth is a window to your overall health.
| Problem | Medical Term | Key Symptoms | Approach |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dry Mouth | Xerostomia | Constant dry feeling, difficulty swallowing, increased cavities, bad breath | Saliva SubstitutesFluoride Protection |
| Bad Breath | Halitosis | Persistent bad smell despite brushing — often gum disease or digestive | Gum TreatmentProfessional Cleaning |
| Burning Mouth | Burning Mouth Syndrome | Burning or scalding sensation on tongue and lips, no visible cause | Specialist DiagnosisNutritional Assessment |
| Oral Cancer Screening | Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma | Non-healing ulcer >3 weeks, red/white patches, lump in mouth or neck | Immediate ReferralBiopsy |
| Pregnancy Gingivitis | Pregnancy-Associated Gingivitis | Swollen, bleeding gums during pregnancy — hormonal | Safe Professional CleaningOral Hygiene Support |
| Diabetic Oral Complications | Diabetes-Associated Periodontitis | Severe gum disease, slow healing, frequent infections | Intensive Periodontal CareCoordinated with GP |
| Bruxism-Related Headache | Myofascial Pain | Morning headaches, jaw soreness, tired facial muscles | Night GuardMuscle Relaxant Therapy |
The vast majority of dental problems in this guide are preventable with consistent, simple habits. Here is what our specialist team at The Dentist recommends to every patient:
Use a soft-bristled brush at a 45° angle to the gum line. Brush for 2 minutes minimum. Replace your brush every 3 months.
40% of tooth surfaces are between teeth — unreachable by a toothbrush. Flossing prevents cavities and gum disease between teeth.
Saliva is your mouth's natural defence. Drink water throughout the day, especially after meals. Avoid constant sipping of sugary drinks.
It's not just how much sugar you eat — it's how often. Every sugary drink or snack triggers an acid attack that lasts 20 minutes.
Most dental problems are caught and fixed in 20 minutes at a check-up. Ignored, the same problems can need root canals and implants.
For ₹499, The Dentist Health Plan gives you regular check-ups, cleaning, and discounts on all treatments — making prevention accessible.