Dental Health and Toothaches

Dental Health and Toothaches

Toothaches are frequently a symptom of various dental problems, typically arising from tooth decay, gum disease, or trauma. Although self-care strategies may offer temporary relief, it is essential to consult a dentist to address the root cause for sustained oral health.

Common Causes of Toothaches:

Tooth Decay (Cavities):

Bacteria present in plaque generate acids that deteriorate tooth enamel, resulting in cavities that reveal the sensitive inner layers of the tooth (dentin and pulp).

Gum Disease:

The inflammation and infection of the gums (gingivitis and periodontitis) can harm the supporting structures of the teeth, leading to looseness and discomfort.

Abscesses:

Infections at the tooth's root or within the gums can result in pus-filled pockets (abscesses), causing intense pain and swelling.

Injuries:

Fractures, chips, or cracks in the tooth can expose sensitive areas and heighten the risk of infection.

Impacted Wisdom Teeth:

Wisdom teeth that lack sufficient space to emerge can induce pain and inflammation, particularly if they become infected.

Teeth Grinding (Bruxism):

This behavior can erode teeth, expose sensitive inner layers, and lead to jaw discomfort.

Referred Pain:

At times, pain that originates from other regions, such as the sinuses or jaw joint, may be perceived in the teeth.

When to See a Dentist:

• If a toothache lasts for more than a few days, even with the use of pain relievers.
• Experiencing severe pain, particularly if accompanied by fever, swelling, or difficulty in breathing or swallowing.
• Feeling pain while biting or chewing.
• Noticing red, swollen gums or an unpleasant taste in the mouth.
• Observing visible signs of infection, such as pus or drainage.

Self-Care Measures:

Over-the-counter pain relievers: Ibuprofen or acetaminophen can help manage pain. 

Rinsing with warm salt water: This can help reduce inflammation and clean the affected area. 

Cold compress: Applying a cold compress to the cheek can help reduce swelling and pain. 

Avoidance of extreme temperatures and sugary foods: These can exacerbate tooth sensitivity. 

Soft diet: Eating soft foods can minimize pressure on the affected tooth. 

Prevention:

Good oral hygiene: Brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, floss daily, and use mouthwash. 

Regular dental check-ups: See your dentist for check-ups and cleanings every six months to identify and address potential problems early. 

Healthy diet: Limit sugary foods and drinks that contribute to tooth decay. 

Protect your teeth: Wear a mouthguard during sports or activities that could cause injury. 

A toothache is a pain in or around a tooth that may be caused by:

* Tooth decay
* Abscessed tooth
* Tooth fracture
* A damaged filling
* Repetitive motions, such as chewing gum or grinding teeth
* Infected gums

Symptoms of a toothache may include:

* Tooth pain that may be sharp, throbbing, or constant. In some people, pain results only when pressure is applied to the tooth.
* Swelling around the tooth
* Fever or headache
* Foul-tasting drainage from the infected tooth

When Should I See a Dentist About a Toothache?

See your dentist as soon as possible about your toothache if:

* You have a toothache that lasts longer than 1 or 2 days
* Your toothache is severe
* You have a fever, earache, or pain upon opening your mouth wide

Proper identification and treatment of dental infections is important to prevent its spread to other parts of the face and skull and possibly even to the bloodstream. Dental Health...

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Wisdom tooth extraction

Dental Health

Wisdom tooth extraction

An oral and maxillofacial surgeon, or your dentist, is capable of extracting a wisdom tooth. This procedure is typically performed in the office of the dentist or surgeon. However, you may require surgery in a hospital setting, particularly if you are having all of your wisdom teeth extracted simultaneously or if you are considered to be at a high risk for complications.

In cases where infections are present, the surgery is generally postponed until the infection has been resolved. Your doctor or dentist may prescribe antibiotics to assist in healing the infection.

Prior to the extraction of a wisdom tooth, your dentist will administer a local anesthetic to numb the area surrounding the tooth. A general anesthetic may be utilized, especially if multiple or all wisdom teeth are to be removed at once. This type of anesthetic alleviates pain throughout the body and induces sleep during the procedure. It is likely that your dentist will advise you to refrain from eating or drinking after midnight on the night preceding the surgery to ensure you are ready for the anesthetic.

To extract the wisdom tooth, your dentist will incise the gum tissue above the tooth and remove any bone that may be obstructing it. The dentist will then separate the tissue that connects the tooth to the bone before extracting the tooth itself. In some instances, the dentist may divide the tooth into smaller fragments to facilitate its removal.

Following the extraction, you may require stitches. Some stitches are designed to dissolve naturally over time, while others will need to be removed after a few days. Your dentist will inform you whether your stitches require removal.

A folded cotton gauze pad placed over the extraction site will aid in controlling the bleeding.

Wisdom tooth extraction is a surgical procedure to remove one or more of the four wisdom teeth (third molars) located at the back of the mouth. These teeth often lack sufficient space to erupt properly, leading to impaction, pain, infection, or other dental problems. 

Reasons for Removal:

Impaction:

Wisdom teeth can become impacted (stuck) when they don't have enough space to fully emerge, leading to pain and other complications. 

Infection or Gum Disease:

Partially erupted wisdom teeth can be prone to infection or gum disease (periodontal disease). 

Tooth Decay:

Decay can occur in wisdom teeth that are partially exposed and difficult to clean. 

Damage to Nearby Teeth:

Impacted wisdom teeth can push against and damage adjacent teeth. 

Preventative Removal:

Some dentists and oral surgeons recommend removing wisdom teeth even if they are not currently causing problems, to prevent future issues. 

Procedure:

Anesthesia:

Local anesthesia is typically used to numb the area, but sedation or general anesthesia may be used for more complex cases or anxious patients. 

Incision:

If the tooth is impacted, the dentist or oral surgeon may need to make an incision in the gum to access it. 

Tooth Division:

The tooth may be divided into smaller pieces for easier removal. 

Stitches:

Stitches may be used to close the incision, and these are usually dissolvable. 

Post-operative Care:

Pain medication, antibiotics (if needed), and careful wound care are important for proper healing. 

Recovery:

Swelling and Discomfort:

Swelling and discomfort are normal after wisdom tooth extraction and usually subside within a few days, according to NHS inform. 

Diet:

Soft foods are recommended for the first few days to avoid irritating the extraction site. 

Oral Hygiene:

Gentle cleaning of the teeth is important, but avoid vigorous rinsing or using a straw for the first few days. 

Avoid Smoking:

Smoking can delay healing and increase the risk of complications like dry socket, says Roden Oral Surgery. 

Dental Health.

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Dental Health

DENTAL HEALTH 

 Healthy teeth and healthy gums are important for good oral health. Brushing teeth after eating and daily flossing can help prevent cavities, gum disease, and bad breath. 

Your dentist can assess toothaches, mouth injuries, and wisdom teeth to see if they need dental care. Ask your dentist about teeth-whitening products to make sure they are right for you. In addition, keeping your child’s baby teeth brushed will help pay off with healthy permanent teeth.

Dental or oral health is concerned with your teeth, gums and mouth. The goal is to prevent complications such as tooth decay (cavities) and gum disease and to maintain the overall health of your mouth.

A healthy mouth, free of infections, injuries and other problems with teeth and gums, is important in maintaining your overall health.

Although a different set of medical professionals focuses on dental health, they are still part of your regular health care team.

Disease and other conditions can affect your dental health and dental problems can affect other parts of your body. Failing to properly care for your oral health may lead to other health problems.

You can help prevent or minimize many oral health problems by regular preventive steps (brushing, flossing and so on) and regular visits to dental health professionals. 

Dental Health Video:

Gingivitis and Periodontal Disease

Gingivitis and Periodontal Disease (Gum Disease)

Gingivitis, also generally called gum disease or periodontal disease, describes the events that begin with bacterial growth in your mouth and may end – if not properly treated – with tooth loss due to destruction of the tissue that surrounds your teeth.

What's the Difference Between Gingivitis and Periodontitis?
Gingivitis (gum inflammation) usually precedes periodontitis (gum disease). However, it is important to know that not all gingivitis progresses to periodontitis.In the early stage of gingivitis, bacteria in plaque build up, causes the gums to become inflamed (red and swollen) and often easily bleed during tooth brushing. Although the gums may be irritated, the teeth are still firmly planted in their sockets. No irreversible bone or other tissue damage has occurred at this stage.

When gingivitis is left untreated, it can advance to periodontitis. In a person with periodontitis, the inner layer of the gum and bone pull away from the teeth and form pockets. These small spaces between teeth and gums collect debris and can become infected. The body's immune system fights the bacteria as the plaque spreads and grows below the gum line.

Toxins or poisons – produced by the bacteria in plaque as well as the body's "good" enzymes involved in fighting infections – start to break down the bone and connective tissue that hold teeth in place.
As the disease progresses, the pockets deepen and more gum tissue and bone are destroyed. When this happens, teeth are no longer anchored in place, they become loose and tooth loss occurs. Gum disease, in fact, is the leading cause of tooth loss in adults.

What Causes Gum Disease

What Causes Gum Disease

Plaque is the primary cause of gum disease. However, other factors can contribute to periodontal disease as well. These include:

* Hormonal changes, such as those occurring during pregnancy, puberty, menopause, and monthly menstruation, make gums more sensitive, which makes it easier for gingivitis to develop.
* Illnesses may affect the condition of your gums. This includes diseases such as cancer or HIV that interfere with the immune system. Because diabetes affects the body's ability to use blood sugar, patients with this disease are at higher risk of developing infections, including periodontal disease.
* Medications can affect oral health because some lessen the flow of saliva, which has a protective effect on teeth and gums. Some drugs, such as the anticonvulsant medication Dilantin and the anti-angina drug Procardia and Adalat, can cause abnormal growth of gum tissue.
* Bad habits such as smoking make it harder for gum tissue to repair itself.
* Poor oral hygiene habits such as not brushing and flossing on a daily basis, make it easier for gingivitis to develop.
* Family history of dental disease can be a contributing factor for the development of gingivitis.

What Are the Symptoms of Gum Disease?

What Are the Symptoms of Gum Disease?

Gum disease may progress painlessly, producing few obvious signs, even in the late stages of the disease. Although the symptoms of periodontal disease often are subtle, the condition is not entirely without warning signs. Certain symptoms may point to some form of the disease. The symptoms of gum disease include:

* Gums that bleed during and after tooth brushing
* Red, swollen, or tender gums
* Persistent bad breath or bad taste in the mouth
* Receding gums
* Formation of deep pockets between teeth and gums
* Loose or shifting teeth
* Changes in the way teeth fit together upon biting down, or in the fit of partial dentures.

Even if you don't notice any symptoms, you may still have some degree of gum disease. In some people, gum disease may affect only certain teeth, such as the molars. Only a dentist or a periodontist can recognize and determine the progression of gum disease.

How Can Gum Disease Be Prevented?

How Can Gum Disease Be Prevented?

Gum disease can be reversed in nearly all cases when proper plaque control is practiced. Proper plaque control consists of professional cleanings at least twice a year and daily brushing and flossing.

Brushing eliminates plaque from the surfaces of the teeth that can be reached; flossing removes food particles and plaque from in between the teeth and under the gum line. Other health and lifestyle changes that will decrease the risk, severity, and speed of gum disease development include:

* Stop smoking. Tobacco use is a significant risk factor for development of periodontitis. Smokers are seven times more likely to get gum disease than nonsmokers, and smoking can lower the chances of success of some treatments.
* Reduce stress. Stress may make it difficult for your body's immune system to fight off infection.
* Maintain a well-balanced diet. Proper nutrition helps your immune system fight infection. Eating foods with antioxidant properties, for example, those containing vitamin E or vitamin C (vitamin E-containing foods include vegetable oils, nuts, green  leafy vegetables; vitamin C-containing foods include citrus fruits, broccoli, potatoes) can help your body repair damaged tissue.
* Avoid clenching and grinding your teeth. These actions may put excess force on the supporting tissues of the teeth and could increase the rate at which these tissues are destroyed.

Despite following good oral hygiene practices and making other healthy lifestyle choices, the American Academy of Periodontology says that up to 30% of the Americans may be genetically susceptible to gum disease. And those who are genetically predisposed may be up to six times more likely to develop some form of gum disease. If anyone in your family has gum disease, it may mean that you are at greater risk as well. If you are more susceptible to gum disease, your dentist or periodontist may recommend more frequent check-ups, cleanings, and treatments to better manage the condition.

Caring for Your Baby's Teeth

Caring for Your Baby's Teeth

Baby teeth are important because they allow an infant to eat a good diet, allow for proper jaw growth, give the face its form and appearance, assist in the formation of proper speech, and most important, act as "space savers" for adult teeth. Tooth decay in babies can lead to pain, infection, malnutrition, poor weight gain, and premature loss of teeth – which can affect the development of permanent teeth. In addition, oral health problems in an infant's mouth, such as bleeding gums and cavities, increase the chance for these problems in permanent teeth. Good oral health habits – started at an early age at home – increase the chance for a healthy mouth during your child's young life and carry on through adulthood.

When to Start Caring for Your Baby's Teeth

It's actually a good idea to get in the habit of cleaning your baby's gums even before teeth emerge.

To clean your baby's mouth:

1. Lay your baby in your lap with his or her head close to your chest.
2. Gently, but firmly, rub a clean and damp piece of gauze or washcloth along both the upper and lower gums.
3. Clean the gums at least two times a day – after breakfast and after the last feeding of the day. Even better – clean your baby's gums after every feeding.

What Is Teething?

Teething refers to the time when baby teeth (also called deciduous teeth or primary teeth) appear. Generally, teething first occurs between 6 months and 24 months of age. While this process is uneventful in some children; for others, it causes quite a bit of discomfort and irritability.

Check out this tooth chart and learn when to expect your baby's teeth to appear.

What Are Symptoms of Teething in a Baby?

What Are Symptoms of Teething in a Baby?

Symptoms of teething in a baby can include:

* Increased irritability
* Placing objects or fingers in the mouth and biting down on them
* Increased saliva or drooling
* Loss of appetite or becoming choosy about foods
* Tender and swollen gums
* Rash on cheeks or redness in the area of the cheeks near the affected gums
* Restlessness
* Ear pulling, which may be a sign of teething or possibly an ear infection (make an appointment to have your child seen by your doctor or pediatrician)

Teething does not result in fever, vomiting, or diarrhea. If your child experiences these problems, contact your doctor.

What Can I Do to Ease Teething Pain?

What Can I Do to Ease Teething Pain?

* To ease teething pain, massage your child's gums with a clean finger or the back of a small cold spoon
* Allow your child to bite down on a chilled (but never frozen) teething ring. A frozen teething ring can damage the gums.
* Try an over-the-counter teething ointment to numb the gums.Ask your dentist or doctor for some product recommendations.
* Allow your child to suck on a cold, wet cloth Teething biscuits or cookies and frozen bananas are not recommended. These objects promote tooth decay and may cause your child to choke.

Are You at Risk for Gum Disease?

Dental Health
Are You at Risk for Gum Disease?

Have you heard about periodontal disease? It’s a topic that often is covered in newspapers and magazines. What many people don’t realize is that it’s quite common among adults.
Periodontal disease - also called gum disease - is an infection of the gums and bone that support the teeth. In the early stages, periodontal disease often goes unnoticed because there is often
little, if any, pain. Periodontal diseases are progressive-left untreated, the condition generally worsens.
Recent research suggests there may be a link between gum disease and other health concerns such as cardiovascular problems, stroke, bacterial pneumonia and increased risk during pregnancy. Although more studies are needed, researchers are trying to determine if the bacteria or the inflammatory response associated with gum disease play a role in affecting these systemic problems. Tobacco use also increases the risk of gum disease.

What causes gum disease?

It’s caused by plaque, a sticky film of bacteria that constantly forms on teeth. If plaque is not removed with thorough daily brushing and cleaning between teeth, the bacteria produce toxins
that can irritate and inflame the gums. Left untreated, gum tissues can separate from the teeth and form spaces called pockets. The pockets provide a home for more bacteria, and if untreated, the process can continue until the bone and other tooth-supporting tissues are destroyed.

How can I tell if I have gum disease?

You may not even be aware that you have gum disease because often there is no pain. There are warning signs that can tip you off, however. If you experience any of the following between your dental check-ups, call your dentist:

* Gums that bleed during toothbrushing
* Red, swollen or tender gums
* Gums that have pulled away from your teeth
* Persistent bad breath
* Pus between the teeth and gums
* Loose or separating teeth
* A change in the way your teeth fit together when you bite
* A change in the fit of partial dentures

However, it’s possible to have gum disease without having these warning signs.

How does my dentist check for gum disease?

During a dental check-up, the dentist examines the gums for periodontal problems. He or she inspects the color and firmness of the gums. During the exam, the dentist uses a very small instrument called a periodontal probe to gently measure the depth between your teeth and gums. This will determine whether you have periodontal pockets. The normal space between teeth and healthy gums should be three millimeters or less. Generally, the more advanced the gum disease, the greater the depth of the pockets.

Dental x-rays may be taken to evaluate the health of bones that support the teeth. X-rays are also used to detect other problems or conditions that are not visible during the clinical examination. Your bite-the way the teeth fit together-may be evaluated, too.
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