Dental Conditions A–Z

Ongoing tooth pain that may be dull, sharp or throbbing — a signal something needs professional attention.

A collection of pus caused by a bacterial infection in a tooth, gum or the supporting bone — needs prompt care.

Facial or jaw swelling linked to a tooth — usually a sign of infection that needs rapid assessment.

An incomplete fracture in a tooth that often causes sharp pain when biting — invisible on routine X-rays.

Pain and swelling around a partially erupted wisdom tooth, usually due to inflammation (pericoronitis).

Significant structural damage to a tooth beyond a minor chip — may expose sensitive inner layers.

A dental crown that moves when biting or has detached — the underlying tooth is vulnerable until reviewed.

A filling that has fallen out, leaving a cavity vulnerable to sensitivity and further decay.

Pain when chewing or releasing pressure — often a sign of a cracked tooth, infection or bite imbalance.

Holes in the tooth surface caused by bacterial acids — treatable with a filling when caught early.

A small break in the tooth enamel — cosmetic or functional repair can usually be completed in one visit.

The earliest visible signs of enamel breakdown — reversible with a structured prevention plan.

Gradual loss of the tooth's protective outer layer from repeated acid exposure — enamel does not grow back.

Bacterial breakdown of the tooth structure — treatable at every stage, most conservatively when caught early.

A short, sharp pain when teeth meet hot, cold, sweet or acidic triggers — usually treatable once the cause is known.

Yellowing or staining — surface, internal or developmental — with tailored management options.

Fine, superficial enamel cracks that are common in adults and usually harmless.

Chalky or opaque patches in enamel with several possible causes — each with a different management path.

Post-filling discomfort or sensitivity — often settles quickly, but persistent pain needs review.

Bleeding during brushing or flossing is the most common early sign of gum inflammation — and it's usually reversible.

The earliest stage of gum disease — plaque-driven inflammation that responds quickly to professional care.

A spectrum ranging from early gingivitis to advanced periodontitis — structured therapy preserves teeth.

Localised gum pain usually points to a site-specific problem that benefits from prompt assessment.

Advanced gum disease that affects the supporting bone — stabilisation is possible with structured therapy.

Gum tissue moving away from the tooth — multiple causes, each with a different management path.

Red, puffy or tender gum tissue — commonly linked to plaque, infection or mechanical irritation.

Bad breath originating from the gum tissue often signals underlying periodontal inflammation.

Reduced saliva flow increases risk of decay, gum inflammation and discomfort — it has several treatable causes.

Persistent bad breath is almost always caused by bacterial activity — identifying the source makes it treatable.

A persistent unpleasant or metallic taste often has a specific dental cause that assessment can identify.

Small, painful sores inside the mouth — most heal within 1–2 weeks, but persistent ones need review.

A fungal overgrowth in the mouth causing white patches, soreness or altered taste.

A sore or burning sensation in the mouth has many possible causes — dental assessment is a sensible first step.

Clicking or popping when opening the jaw comes from the TMJ — often benign, but sometimes worth assessing.

Involuntary clenching or grinding — often during sleep — that can wear teeth and strain the jaw.

Pain or dysfunction in the jaw joint and surrounding muscles — often multifactorial and highly treatable.

An uneven bite can follow new dental work, tooth movement, grinding, or developing alignment changes.

Sustained tightening of the jaw muscles — often unconscious — that can cause tension, headaches and tooth wear.

One or more upper teeth sit inside the lower teeth — can affect bite function and tooth wear.

Insufficient space in the dental arch causes teeth to overlap, rotate or push out of line.

Visible spaces between teeth — from a single midline gap to multiple spaces — with several correction options.

A bite where upper and lower teeth don't meet when closed — can affect chewing, speech and tooth wear.

Excessive vertical overlap of upper over lower front teeth — a deep overbite can cause wear and discomfort.

Horizontal projection of upper front teeth beyond the lower — can affect appearance, lip closure and trauma risk.

Lower front teeth sit in front of the upper — may be dental or skeletal, with tailored correction pathways.

A missing tooth affects function, appearance and long-term alignment — several replacement options exist.

A loose adult tooth is not normal — it usually signals an underlying issue that needs prompt assessment.

A cracked, snapped or fractured denture needs professional repair — home fixes often make the damage worse.

Dentures can become loose over time — structured review identifies whether adjustment, reline or replacement is best.