Dental Problems That Start Small But Should Never Be Ignored

By Author: Gentle and Caring detistry
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Many dental conditions do not start with symptoms of pain. In fact, some of the worst conditions affecting dental health start from a very small scale and progress with time.

When they appear very small and harmless, they are normally overlooked – until they result in some form of pain, infection, or costly dental work.

It is important that we are aware of some of these early signs to take precautions today that could eliminate dental problems in the future.

Top 5 Dental Issues We Often Ignore
Tooth Sensitivity
A mild sensitivity response to hot or cold food or liquids can seem harmless, but it can mean that there is an onset of dental problems, such as enamel erosion, cavities, or receding gums.

When this happens, it means that the enamel on the teeth is starting to deteriorate, causing it to reveal its more sensitive dentin or inner layers.

As this progresses, it can make teeth more susceptible to further irritation or damage.

This starts off as a mild symptom and then becomes more constant.

Bleeding Gums
While it is common to see some bleeding of the ...
... gums when brushing or flossing, this is not a symptom of healthy gums.

Bleeding is a common first symptom of gum inflammation, an effect of plaque build-up on the teeth and gums.

Ongoing inflammation of the gums can lead to gum disease and infection.

Long-standing gum disease leads to the recession of the gum tissue and the loss of the tooth itself, because of the destruction of the supporting bone around the teeth.

Small Cavities or Dark Spots on Teeth
Small dark spots on the teeth or mild sensitivity can be the first signs of tooth decay. At this point, fixing the problem can be fast and easy.

Tooth decay must not simply be ignored, as it only progresses further inside the tooth. At this point, pain may be experienced along with sensitivity. An infection can start to build inside the tooth. This can result in needing to have a root canal.

Jaw Pain or Clicking Sounds
A person may overlook mildest jaw tightness, clicking sensations, or occasional pain; however, such symptoms can sometimes indicate bite problems, grinding of teeth, or TMJ disorders.

These are some symptoms that can develop slowly and can readily be overlooked by a person. However, such symptoms can result in chronic jaw pain and frequent episodes of headaches unless proper treatment. In some instances, a person may also have difficulty opening or closing their mouth.

Mouth Sores That Don’t Heal
Some minor mouth sores may be common, to the point of healing on their own.

But mouth sores that may not heal after two weeks should not be ignored.

Mouth sores, which don’t heal, may be caused by irritation, infections, and other mouth conditions.

As time goes along, if they show signs of not healing, they should be seen by A professional Dentist.

Why you should stop ignoring and take professional action against dental issues in Australia?
The Australian Government, in collaboration with the Australian Institute of Health & Welfare, has released a comprehensive factual report summarising dental health in Australia.
Report Title: Oral health and dental care in Australia, 21st Nov 2025.

• 27% of children aged 5–10 have untreated tooth decay

• 11% of children aged 6–14 live with untreated decay

• 32% of adults have untreated tooth decay

Dental issues tend to arise quietly in the body. If you fail to act immediately when you feel some symptoms like sensitive teeth, bleeding gums, or jaw pain, you might end up with serious problems in the future.

With early detection of these small issues, you can quickly take preventive measures to avoid turning them into big problems.

At Gentle & Caring Dentistry, the best dental clinic in Maroubra, Sydney, Australia, we treat our customers with caring attention and professionalism in terms of early detection and prevention. Regular visits and healthy habits can help you avoid turning small problems into big ones.

To help you learn more about keeping your teeth healthy, you can check 10 Common Dental Habits That Are Secretly Destroying Your Teeth.