When it comes to toothaches, there are many different things that can cause a toothache.  A toothache can come at any given time, even though you may not expect it.  The pain can be unbearable at times, and you’ll do practically anything you can to make the pain stop.  When a toothache first comes on, many of us start to wonder what caused it to happen.

Some of the main causes of toothaches include decay, a fracture in the teeth, and cavities.  A crack in the tooth is also a cause, although it can be difficult to diagnose, as cracks will normally appear to be invisible to the naked eye and x-rays.  Cracks can make your tooth feel as if it is exploding, as they expose the dentin and nerves to the air and anything else you put in your mouth.  If you don’t get them fixed, they will get worse, possibly leading to your tooth breaking off at the gums.

Pulp irritation is another cause of toothaches, as it occurs after dental treatment.  No matter how well your filling or crown was done, the materials that were used to fix the tooth can end up causing pain later on down the road.  There really is nothing you can do, as crowns can sometimes come off or the filling can sometimes come out.  If this happens, all you can really do is go back to the dentist to get the problem fixed.

If you have an exposed root or nerve, it can also be the cause of your toothache.  This normally happens due to rough brushing, receding the gums and exposing the root.  If the root is exposed, the air or liquid you drink can trigger a toothache.  To prevent this from happening, use care when you brush and never try to tear your gums apart thinking it will get your teeth cleaner. (more…)

Gum disease, also known as gingivitis, is a serious condition that will normally result in tooth loss.  With adults, gingivitis and periodontal disease are the most common forms of gum disease.  To prevent both types of gum disease, you should always brush your teeth and remove as much plaque as possible.  If you allow the plaque to build up, gum disease will normally be the result.

Gingivitis is known as inflammation in the tissues of the gums.  If plaque and tartar build up along the gum line, the gums will eventually get swollen and irritated.  Over time, the gums will get very tender and start to appear puffy. When you brush your teeth, you’ll notice that your gums have become very sore and they will start to bleed with little to no pressure.  If you notice blood when brushing, chances are you have gingivitis.  Anytime you brush your teeth or floss, there shouldn’t be any sign of blood.

During this stage of gingivitis, there is no loss of bone structure. You can help to prevent gingivitis though, through flossing and brushing a few times a day.  If you have gingivitis and you don’t do something about it, it could lead to periodontal disease.  Those who don’t treat gingivitis or those who keep poor oral hygiene habits, will normally end up with periodontal disease. (more…)

Along with brushing your teeth, you should also be flossing on a daily basis.  Flossing will remove plaque and debris in areas that your toothbrush isn’t able to reach.  A buildup of plaque can lead to gum disease or tooth decay, which is why flossing is very important.  If you floss immediately after brushing, you’ll notice that your gums and teeth will be much healthier.

When you look at dental floss, you’ll notice there are two types – nylon and single filament.  You can get nylon either waxed or un-waxed, in several different flavors.  Nylon floss is made up of several strands of nylon material, meaning that it can shred, tear, or snag between the teeth if it gets caught on sharp teeth.  Even though the single filament floss is more expensive than nylon, it will slide easily between teeth, even tight areas and spaces.  Unlike nylon, single filament is impossible to shred or tear.

No matter which type of floss you choose, as long you floss regularly, it will remove debris from your teeth and gums.  If you’ve never tried flossing before, you will probably be amazed at just how much debris and food particles it can remove.  Flossing is recommended by dentists everywhere, as it can reach places that even the smallest of toothbrushes can’t.  Food and debris will build up between your teeth, which makes dental flossing very important. (more…)

Fillings are very common with dental work, as they present a way to repair a tooth that has suffered from decay or a cavity back to it’s original shape.  When performing a filling, the dentist will remove the decayed area of the tooth, clean around it, then fill in the area that he has removed with a special material that will cater to the shape and form of the tooth.

Fillings work by closing out the area where the bacteria enters into teeth, helping to prevent any type of decay in the future.  The materials used for fillings include porcelain, gold, composite resin, and amalgam.  There is really no best type of filling, as several factors come into play.  Your reaction to different material, the shape of the tooth, extent of repair, and where the filling is needed will be determining factors as to what material is used with your filling.

The gold fillings that are used are made in a laboratory, then cemented into place by the dentist.  Gold material fits well with the gums, and can last you for many years.  Gold is considered by many to be the best, although it is also the most expensive and will require you to visit the dentist several times before the filling will be complete. (more…)

In order for tooth decay to be developed in a tooth, that tooth must have acid producing bacteria around it, along with food for the bacteria to feed upon.  Teeth that are susceptible to decay will have little to no fluoride in the enamel to fight the plaque.  Fluoride can destroy decay, although it won’t be able to do much once the decay has started to eat the teeth.

Poor hygiene habits will allow the plaque and tartar to build up around teeth and speed up the process of decay.  Even though your mouth has a lot of bacteria that is always present, only one type will generate the acid that results in tooth decay.  Some people have active decay that is always present in their mouths.  Parents with active decay can easily pass the decay on to a child or loved one through eating, drinking from the same glass, or even kissing.

Once the decay has settled in the tooth’s enamel, it will progress very slow.  Once it has made it through to the second layer of the enamel, it will spread faster as it heads towards the pulp.  The pulp is a vital area of the tooth, as it contains the nerves and blood supply.  This is where the pain will be the most intense, as the decay will start to eat at the nerves.

Although decay can take 2 – 3 years to get through the enamel, it can make it from the dentin to the pulp in less than a year.  Once it makes it to the dentin, the decay can destroy most of the tooth structure in a matter of weeks – or months.  The most preventable type of tooth decay, known as smooth decay, also grows the slowest.  It starts out as a white spot in the tooth, where the bacteria dissolves the enamel.  Smooth decay is very common with those 20 – 30 years of age. (more…)

Cavities can best be described as tooth decay.  As we all know, tooth decay is influenced by what we eat, how we take care of our teeth, and the amount of fluoride in our toothpastes.  If your family has a history of tooth disease or teeth problems, then you may inherit it that way.  This is very common, as many people inherit tooth problems that have been passed down from generation to generation.

Adults who suffer from a dry mouth are more at risk for cavities, as they have a lack of saliva in their mouth.  Dry mouth is very common, and is normally the result of medications, illness, and radiation treatment.  Tobacco users will also suffer from dry mouth, as the tobacco will use up the saliva in the mouth and leave the user with nothing to keep his or her mouth moist.

Cavities are a very serious situation, and if left untreated, can result in the destruction of the tooth.  This can also destroy the nerves as well, resulting in an abscess.  An abscess is very serious, as it infects the root tip.  If left untreated, an abscess can result in death.  Although you may not realize it, cavities are a very serious matter that can quickly spread to something even more serious.

If you visit your dentist on a regular basis, he will check for cavities.  Without visiting the dentist, it is impossible to tell whether or not you have a cavity.  Most cavities develop below the gums, and you won’t be able to see them.  If the cavity exists in the tooth, you will be able to see it, as it will change the color of the affected area.  If you notice a color change or a blackened area in your tooth, you should make an appointment with your dentist immediately. (more…)

Also known as the third set of molars, the wisdom teeth are the last set of teeth in the mouth to erupt, which normally happens around the ages of 17 – 25. For many years, there has been a lot of controversy as to the need to remove these teeth.  If the teeth don’t cause any harm or pain, they are normally fine to stay in place.  If they present a bad position or cause you a lot of pain or discomfort, they will need to be removed.

When the wisdom teeth first come in, they will sometimes be impacted.  Impacted teeth will normally need to be extracted.  Sometimes they can be pulled, although in most cases they need to be cut out by a qualified surgeon.  When the time comes to have your wisdom teeth extracted, you’ll need to go to an oral surgeon and have a consultation first.

During the consultation, you’ll take a few x-rays that will let the surgeon know how bad your wisdom teeth are.  He will go over the results with you, take a look in your mouth, then tell you what options you have.  If he is going to pull or cut out your teeth, you’ll have the option of using local anaesthesia or going with an IV sedation.  An IV sedation is the preferred way to have wisdom teeth extracted, as you’ll be so relaxed you won’t know what is going on.  If you decide to just use local anaesthesia, which is numbing, you’ll be fully aware of the procedure.  You’ll also hear the popping and cracking involved, which can make you feel quite uncomfortable.

Depending on the shape, size, and the formation of the wisdom teeth, the removal process can vary from easy to hard.  If the root tips have managed to wrap themselves around the bone, the removal process can be very time consuming and quite painful.  Once the extractions have been completed, there is normally little to no swelling involved.  Your dentist will prescribe you some pain medicine, which you should use as soon as you arrive home.  If you are going to use IV sedation, you’ll need to someone to accompany you, as you won’t be able to drive home.

After the removal of your wisdom teeth, your dentist will go over what you need to do to ensure the proper healing of your gums and mouth.  Normally, he will give you information to go over, to make sure that you experience no problems in the healing process.  Someone will need to be with you for the first 24 hours, to make sure that you ok.  You won’t be able to eat certain foods for the first 48 hours, which is to be expected.  Once you get your wisdom teeth removed through – you’ll notice a big improvement in your mouth – and your health. (more…)

An abscess in the tooth refers to an infection that was caused by a pocket of pus residing in the tissue around the tooth.  Abscesses are very serious conditions, and can lead to serious matters if they aren’t treated immediately.  When the pulp of a tooth dies due to damage or decay, bacteria will begin to grow from the dead tissue that is left.  This bacteria will eventually spread from the root of the dead tooth into the tissue that is below and create a pocket of pus – the abscess.

Gum disease is also a cause for a tooth becoming abscessed.  Gum diseases causes the gums to pull back and away from teeth, leaving pockets behind.  When one of the pockets becomes blocked, the bacteria can grow and spread, or get backed up.  When this happens, an abscess will start to form under the surface of the gums and become apparent will swelling as it gets bigger and spreads.

Once the infection has started to spread, your jawbone may start to dissolve as it makes room for the swelling in the area that has been infected.  Once the bone starts to dissolve, the pressure will be greatly reduced, although the infection will still be there.  Even though you will get relief, the infection will get worse – and the pain will always come back.  Once more of the bone has been dissolved, there will be nothing left to support the tooth, meaning that it will become loose and end up needing to be extracted.

The symptoms of an abscessed tooth are easy to see, as they include severe pain in the affected area, red or swollen gums, a bad taste in your mouth, swelling around the area or the jaw, and possibly a high fever.  Pain is excruciating with an abscess, normally affecting the area in a bad way.  No matter what you do, the pain seems to intensify.

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