Tips for Diagnosing and Treating Tooth Pain

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Toothaches can be extraordinarily painful. Sometimes the pain is all you can think about. There are many causes of tooth pain, the most obvious of which is a problem with the tooth or jaw. The dental causes of tooth pain fall into three categories:

Damage: Trauma, including chips and breakage, can cause damage to teeth. This breakage can cause tooth pain.

Decay: Tooth decay has several degrees of severity. Cavities are holes that penetrate the enamel and the underlying dentin and cause pain. Abscesses are more severe. When an abscess occurs, the dental nerves and pulp become infected.

Disease: Redness and swelling of the gums indicate gum disease or gingivitis. Gum disease can cause gum and tooth pain. Other diseases, including oral cancer, may also contribute to tooth pain.

If you have tooth pain that persists for longer than one or two days, make a dentist appointment immediately. Unless it is an emergency, says dentist Warren Melamed, it is likely that you will have to wait a few days for your appointment.

If you have a toothache and cannot see a dentist right away, here are some things you can do to relieve pain while you wait:

• Avoid foods and beverages that are very cold or very hot. The decay or damage may have exposed the dentin layer of the tooth. Extreme temperatures may cause additional pain.
• Use over-the-counter pain relief medicine that is designed to reduce inflammation. Never put pain relief medication directly on the tooth or gum tissue as this application could damage these areas.
• Gently floss between the painful teeth. Removing the food particles and plaque may help to reduce the pain from the toothache.
• Use clove oil, or eugenol, for pain relief. Clove oil has both antiseptic and anesthetic properties. Soak a small piece of cotton in the oil anduse a pair of tweezers to hold the cotton on the tooth for 10 seconds. Make sure that you do not swallow any of the oil.
• Rinse with warm salt water.Salt water works as an antiseptic, removing bacteria from the infected or vulnerable area. Rinsing may provide additional pain relief.

There are some causes of tooth pain that are not directly related to your dental health. If none of the three general categories of pain are causing the problem, consider the following conditions:

• Sinus Infection: Sinuses that are infected can become swollen, putting pressure on certain teeth.
• Cluster Headache: Cluster headaches cause pressure that may contribute to tooth pain. Their exact cause remains unknown.
• Heart Attack: Pain from a heart attack may radiate into the lower jaw.
• Diabetes: Uncontrolled blood sugar can increase your risk of tooth decay. Frequent cavities may be an indication of a more serious problem.
• Viral Infections: Viral infections such as shingles can cause tooth pain.
• Nerve Diseases: Trigeminal neuralgia is an example of a nerve disease that is associated with sharp pain on one side of the face. 

Toothaches are preventable in most cases, especially when the pain is caused by decay. Follow good oral hygiene practices, making sure to brush and floss twice a day. Sealants and fluoride applications can also defend your teeth from bacteria. Consult with your dentist for more information on how to protect your teeth.

What can I do about stained or discolored teeth?

Since teeth whitening has now become the number one aesthetic concern of many patients, there are many products and methods available to achieve a brighter smile.

Professional teeth whitening (or bleaching) is a simple, non-invasive dental treatment used to change the color of natural tooth enamel, and is an ideal way to enhance the beauty of your smile. Over-the-counter products are also available, but they are much less effective than professional treatments and may not be approved by the American Dental Association (ADA).

As we age, the outer layer of tooth enamel wears away, eventually revealing a darker or yellow shade. The color of our teeth also comes from the inside of the tooth, which may become darker over time. Smoking, drinking coffee, tea, and wine may also contribute to tooth discoloration, making our teeth yellow and dull. Sometimes, teeth can become discolored from taking certain medications as a child, such as tetracycline. Excessive fluoridation (fluorosis) during tooth development can also cause teeth to become discolored.

It’s important to have your teeth evaluated by your dentist to determine if you’re a good candidate for bleaching. Occasionally, tetracycline and fluorosis stains are difficult to bleach and your dentist may offer other options, such as veneers or crowns to cover up such stains. Since teeth whitening only works on natural tooth enamel, it is also important to evaluate replacement of any old fillings, crowns, etc. before bleaching begins. Once the bleaching is done, your dentist can match the new restorations to the shade of the newly whitened teeth.

Since teeth whitening is not permanent, a touch-up may be needed every several years to keep your smile looking bright.

The most widely used professional teeth whitening systems:

Home teeth whitening systems: At-home products usually come in a gel form that is placed in a custom-fitted mouthguard (tray), created from a mold of your teeth. The trays are worn either twice a day for approximately 30 minutes, or overnight while you sleep. It usually takes several weeks to achieve the desired results depending on the degree of staining and the desired level of whitening.

In office teeth whitening: This treatment is done in the dental office and you will see results immediately. It may require more than one visit, with each visit lasting 30 to 60 minutes. While your gums are protected, a bleaching solution is applied to the teeth. A special light may be used to enhance the action of the agent while the teeth are whitened.

Some patients may experience tooth sensitivity after having their teeth whitened. This sensation is temporary and subsides shortly after you complete the bleaching process, usually within a few days to one week.

Teeth whitening can be very effective and can give you a brighter, whiter, more confident smile!

Flouride

In the 1940’s, water fluoridation officially started in the United States. While it is believed that water fluoridation does reduce tooth decay, there are many areas of the United States that don’t have fluoride added to their water.

In the same decade that water fluoridation commenced, people in non-fluoridated areas wondered how their children could reap the the benefits of fluoride if their water supply was not yet fluoridated.

Trials were performed in which dietary fluoride supplements were administered to children in order to determine if they could receive fluoride’s anti-cavity effects in pill form.

After this trial period, the American Dental Association (ADA) came up with the very first fluoride dosage schedule in 1958. In the years that followed, the American Academy of Pediatrics as well as the ADA had two separate fluoride dosage schedules. Unfortunately, many children started getting dental fluorosis, and as a result, the amount of recommended fluoride was gradually reduced. Finally, in 1994 the ADA and AAP finally agreed on the following schedule, which was reaffirmed in 2010.

Source: OralAnswers.com

Dental Health for Pregnant Women

Image Source: Mouth Healthy

Many things go through a woman’s mind when she finds out that she is pregnant. When will she have her first ultrasound? What will she name the baby? Is it a boy or a girl?

Her dental health may well be one of the last things on her mind. However, a mother’s oral health can affect the health of her baby.

Mothers with gum disease have a higher instance of preterm birth. Preterm birth can cause serious problems for the infant, including low birth weight. Hormonal changes during pregnancy may also render a mother more susceptible to teeth and gum problems.

Preventing Pregnancy Gingivitis

In 2009, the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry announced new oral health guidelines for pregnant women. These guidelines are designed to help pregnant women maintain healthy teeth and gums during their pregnancy and throughout the early stages of motherhood. These guidelines include:

1. Oral Hygiene: Correct brushing and flossing practices can help remove bacterial plaque, which is connected to preterm birth.
2. Fluoride: Pregnant women should continue to use fluoridated toothpaste. They should also use an over-the-counter alcohol-free fluoride rinse to reduce the amount of plaque in their mouths.
3. Treatment of Existing Tooth Decay: Existing tooth decay should be treated during pregnancy. Restoring decayed teeth will improve oral health by removing bacteria produced by the decay process.
4. Prevention of Transmission of Bacteria: Expectant mothers are discouraged from sharing utensils or food with others. Avoid sharing these items in order to prevent the transmission of bacteria that cause tooth decay.
5. Use of Xylitol Gum: When chewed four times a day, gum sweetened with xylitol has been shown to decrease the rate of tooth decay in children.

Pregnancy gingivitis develops in almost half of all pregnant women. It typically ends shortly after the birth, but it should be monitored throughout the pregnancy to ensure that it doesn’t progress into periodontitis. A more serious form of gum disease, periodontitis is irreversible. Pregnant mothers with periodontal disease are seven times more likely to go into preterm labor.

The Dangers of Preterm Birth

It may be hard for a pregnant mom to internalize the true danger that periodontitis poses for an unborn baby. The danger lies in prostaglandin, a chemical found in oral bacteria. High levels of prostaglandin have been found in the mouths of women with periodontitis. Prostaglandin may work to induce labor in pregnant women, causing preterm birth.

Babies born too early often have a low birth weight, which can cause significant health problems. Babies born prematurely have an increased risk of developing lung conditions, heart conditions and learning disorders. If you are pregnant or may become pregnant, consult your dentist about the state of your oral health.