The dental problems we see most
Each one starts with a small sign. Choose what sounds like you to read the causes, the treatment and when to book.
A tooth that aches, feels rough or has a dark spot.
Usually treated with a filling, or a crown or root canal if decay is deep.
Gums that bleed when you brush, or look red, swollen or receding.
Usually treated with a professional deep cleaning and better daily care.
A sharp twinge with cold, hot, sweet or sour food.
Usually treated with desensitizing care, or treating the worn or exposed area.
Breath that brushing, mints or mouthwash don’t fix for long.
Usually treated with finding and treating the cause: gum disease, decay or dry mouth.
A gap from a tooth that was lost or taken out.
Usually treated with a dental implant, a bridge or a denture.
Teeth that overlap, look uneven or have small gaps.
Usually treated with bonding or veneers for small changes, or an orthodontist referral.
Why does my tooth hurt?
The kind of pain says a lot about the cause. Use this as a guide, not a diagnosis: an exam and X-rays confirm it.
Call today
Throbbing pain that lingers or wakes you at night
Often an inflamed or infected nerve inside the tooth, from deep decay or a crack. It may need a root canal.
Call 845-336-5855 and read what to do in a dental emergency.
Call today
Pain with swelling in the gum, jaw or face
Often a dental abscess, a pocket of infection at the root or in the gum. It won’t clear up by itself.
Call us as early as you can. Swelling with a fever or trouble swallowing needs the emergency room.
Book soon
Pain when you bite or chew
Often a cracked tooth, a deep cavity or a filling that has worn or come loose.
Book within a few days, and chew on the other side meanwhile.
Book a visit
A quick, sharp twinge with cold or sweet food
Usually sensitive teeth from worn enamel or receding gums, or an early cavity.
Book a checkup if it lasts more than a couple of weeks or gets sharper.
Book a visit
Sore teeth or jaw when you wake up
Often grinding or clenching your teeth at night, which also wears and chips them over time.
Book a visit so Dr. Sayeed can check for wear and suggest how to protect your teeth.
Watch it
A dull ache in the upper back teeth with a cold
Often sinus pressure, because the roots of the upper back teeth sit close to the sinuses.
If the ache stays after the cold clears, book a visit to rule out a dental cause.
How Dr. Sayeed finds the cause
- You tell him what you’ve noticed. When it started, what sets it off and what worries you most.
- A careful exam. He checks your teeth, gums, bite and any old fillings or crowns.
- X-rays if needed. Digital X-rays show decay between teeth, cracks and infection at the root, with lower radiation than film.
- A clear answer. He shows you what he found, explains your options and what your insurance is likely to cover, before any treatment starts.
New to the practice? See what to expect at your first visit.
Can common dental problems be prevented?
Most can. Decay and gum disease, the two most common, both start with plaque, so the same few habits protect against both.
Checkups every six months
A cleaning and exam catches decay and gum disease while they’re small and simple to treat.
Fluoride and floss
Brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and clean between your teeth once a day, where most cavities and gum problems start.
Fewer sugary sips
Sipping soda, juice or sweet coffee through the day keeps teeth under acid attack. Have them with meals and drink water between.
Protect against wear
A mouthguard for contact sports, and a night guard if you grind, stop chips, cracks and worn enamel.
When to book a visit
Book an appointment if a symptom lasts more than a week or two, keeps coming back, or gets worse.
Call us today instead if you have:
- severe or throbbing tooth pain
- swelling of the gum, jaw or face
- a broken or knocked-out tooth
Call 845-336-5855, and read what to do in a dental emergency.
Questions about dental problems
Patients come to us from Kingston, Port Ewen, Lake Katrine, Hurley, Saugerties and across Ulster County.
What is the most common dental problem in adults?
Tooth decay. Most adults have had at least one cavity, and gum disease is close behind. Both are usually painless at first, which is why regular checkups catch them early.
Can a dental problem go away on its own?
Rarely. Early gum disease (gingivitis) can reverse with better brushing, flossing and a professional cleaning. Cavities, cracks and infections don’t heal by themselves and usually get harder to fix.
Is it ever too late to save your teeth?
Often not. Many teeth that look bad can be saved with a filling, a crown or a root canal. When a tooth can’t be saved, Dr. Sayeed explains the options for replacing it.
Will the dentist judge me if I haven’t been in years?
No. Many patients at Kingston Smiles NY come back after a long break. Dr. Sayeed starts from where you are and splits treatment into steps you’re comfortable with.
Is tooth pain always a sign of decay?
No. Pain can also come from gum disease, a cracked tooth, grinding, sinus pressure or a worn filling. An exam and X-rays show which.
Do you treat crooked teeth with braces?
We improve small gaps and uneven edges with bonding or veneers, and refer you to an orthodontist when teeth need moving.