Tooth | Dentistry

What is a toothache?

When a person says that they are having a toothache, they are often referring to any pain that they may be having in the area around the jaws and teeth. This “ache” is usually the result of a dental condition, such as a cavity, exposed tooth root, a cracked tooth, gum disease, an abscess or even a disorder originating for the jaw joint. Pain associated with toothaches vary greatly from mild pain to sharp pain to excruciating pain, and these pains may be aggravated further when they are irritated by cold, heat, or chewing. With an examination from the dentist, the cause of the toothache can often be determined, and subsequently treat it. However, there are some cases where the toothache is caused from a problem other than those that manifests themselves in the tooth or jaw area.

Sometimes pain in the teeth and jaws can also be representative of a disease of the heart, such as angina. Angina is a pain or discomfort that is felt when the heart is not receiving enough oxygenated blood because the arteries in the heart have narrowed. However, some angina patients may never feel heart pain from the disease, and instead may have tooth or jaw pain.

Other diseases that may cause a toothache are internal and external ear infections, and sinus problems. In all cases, if a person is suffering from a toothache or is having jaw pains, they should seek the care of a doctor or dentist as soon as possible because it can mean that there is a more serious underlying condition that may need to be addressed immediately.

Filed Under: Dental care, Health Tagged With: Pain, tooth, Toothache

Maintaining Good Oral Hygiene During Pregnancy

Putting toothpaste on a toothbrush. The toothp...

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As you review your pregnancy calendar and plan the steps to take for your baby’s arrival, be sure to give some thought to oral hygiene maintenance. The health of your teeth and gums affects the development of your baby. When you are pregnant, the hormonal make-up of your body changes, making you susceptible to gum disease. Visiting the dentist before and during your pregnancy is an important step.

Avoid Dental Treatments During Pregnancy

Mark on your pregnancy calendar to visit the dentist for regular cleanings to avoid gum disease. However, major dental procedures should be done before or after the delivery of the baby. You want to avoid dental x-rays and medications that may affect your baby’s health.

Practice Good Dental Hygiene

While it’s always a good idea to brush after meals and floss daily, it’s especially important to do so while you’re pregnant. You want to limit the amount of bacteria in your mouth that might lead to gingivitis or gum issues. Be sure to use a soft toothbrush and brush for several minutes each time. Many people do brush their teeth, but do not do so for long enough to remove the bacteria and plaque. Also, choose toothpaste with a bland taste. Flavored toothpastes may exacerbate morning sickness and should be avoided for this reason.

Avoid Sweets

Limiting your intake of sugary snacks and drinks during pregnancy is a good idea for various reasons. It will help you to avoid tooth decay. Limiting these foods in your diet will also make room for eating highly nutritious foods, such as fruits, vegetables and proteins.

Filed Under: Dental care Tagged With: Oral hygiene, Periodontitis, tooth

Fight dental problems with the best toothpaste

Fast foods and junk foods as well as alcoholic drinks and smoking are some of the factors that are have adverse effects on the teeth. With the fast and stressed life, people are becoming more dependent on these few things and thus are harming their teeth. Besides switching to a healthy lifestyle, it is necessary to choose the best toothpaste in order to fight all the problems related to teeth and gums. Though there are some of the best toothpaste brands available in the market, still one must always check the ingredients before buying the toothpastes. It is extremely important to buy toothpastes that will serve an individual’s specific dental requirements.

toothpaste

Fluoride is one of the essential elements that prevents tooth decay thereby gives strength to the teeth. It also helps in preventing cavities. For some the natural toothpastes made out of organic ingredients like baking soda works best but those with sensitive teeth and high blood pressure must avoid this toothpaste. Different sorts of toothpastes are made to serve different problems. The whitening toothpastes, sensitive toothpastes and toothpastes for gum problems are available and one must choose them accordingly. For more serious problems, one should always consult a dentist before choosing the appropriate toothpaste.

It is an important fact to choose the best toothpaste for your children or for the toddlers. Toothpastes for the children must be devoid of all kinds of strong ingredients as the toddlers or kids have the tendency to swallow the pastes while brushing. Both gel and paste forms are available and selecting one of these depends entirely on an individual’s personal preference.

Filed Under: Dental care, Health Tagged With: Dental caries, tooth, Toothpaste

Dental Bleaching

Dental bleaching or tooth whitening is a procedure to whiten the teeth. Teeth can be discolored due to a lot of things. As the enamel starts developing pores, the teeth tend to lose their whiteness. Enamel is a mineral from which teeth is formed.

Teeth can get colored due to pigmentation left by bacteria. Eating certain food can also leave stains that are hard to erase off. Tobacco smoke also leaves stubborn stains on the teeth. Even prolonged usage of certain medicines will also cause tooth discoloring.

Why teeth whitening?People want brighter looking teeth. The color of the teeth indicates a lot of things about a person. Discolored teeth are an easy giveaway about a person’s lifestyle activities. Cosmetically speaking, teeth add a lot of value to the beauty or good looks of a person. What’s a beautiful face without beautiful teeth?

Methods to bleach the teeth are many. Home-based bleaching agents are applied to the teeth. Using bleaching strips small layers of bleach are applied over the affected areas. The best place to bleach the teeth would be at a dentist’s, although there is no such restriction. One can always bleach the teeth by buying over-the-counter products or by visiting cosmetic centers at spas or resorts.

Ideally, a dentist would be the best person to rely on for a safe teeth-bleaching procedure. Like any doctor, the dentist would also determine the feasibility of the bleach on the person. Does the person have an allergy to the compounds used in the bleach? How much discoloration has taken place? Which areas can be left alone and so on.

Bleaching the teeth does have some risks. Excessive application might cause burns. Most of these burns are not fatal. Yet they are slightly painful. Over bleaching will damage the enamel by overly oxidizing it. Some products might not suit the teeth, and the bleaching effects might be short-lived. No sooner will there be a requirement for another bleach.

Filed Under: Dental care Tagged With: tooth, Tooth bleaching, Tooth enamel

Bruxism

At the outset Bruxism sounds more like a habit than a disease. It happens when the top edge and the bottom edge of the teeth brush against each other regularly. This is called clenching of the teeth. People who do this might have started off as voluntarily or involuntarily. Whatever the case, they seem to do it without them being aware of it.

The cause of bruxism is pointed to stress and hypertension, though the direct cause is still not clear. Bruxism can cause pain and discomfort. The level of pain depends on the intensity of the clenching.

Causes of bruxismSome of the noted causes of bruxism are,
• Stress, anxiety, and hypertension

• Prolonged clenching of teeth over a very long time

• Improperly aligned teeth• Position of the jaw, or posture of the jaw muscles

• Innate methods of stress control

• Lifestyle habits like food, drink, and sleepWhen the teeth are clenched a lot of thrust is applied to the jaw muscles. This pressure will cause TMJ (temporomandibular joint problems). Clenching the teeth can also cause it to lose off some enamel, and eventually lose shape. It can also become lose and might lose its rigidity.

The symptoms of bruxism are,
• Stress anxiety

• Irregular eating habits

• Persistent or frequently occurring pain in the head

• Increased sensitivity in the teeth when eating sweets

• Jaw pain

• Sleeplessness

• Pain the ears

Treatment

There are some treatment options that can be done at home.
• Applying ice packs to jaw muscles. Or even applying a towel dipped in hot water to the muscles around the jaw

• Avoiding chocolates or any sweet food. Avoiding food that is hard in structure.

• Reducing daily stress by sleeping well and drinking lots of water

• Exercising the facial muscles. Doing physiotherapy exercises to improve the posture of the jaw.

• Eating at regular intervals and maintaining a balanced nutritious diet

Filed Under: Dental care Tagged With: Bruxism, Jaw, tooth

TMJ Prevention and Treatment

When it comes to TMJ (temporo-mandibular joint) syndrome prevention, it can seem like something impossible to ward off. We can be prone to clenching our teeth in response to ongoing stress. Some stress is okay and we might want to escape from complete boredom. This doesn’t mean that we have to wreak havoc on our pearly whites and there are things that can be done.

While many of us look forward to that 30-minute coffee break just around the corner, caffeine actually makes our bodies feel anything but relaxed. This includes jaw pressure. If you notice more jaw pressure following caffeine consumption do your best to avoid it if you can.

Hard foods such as apples, carrots, certain meats, corn-on-the-cob and pomegranate can put a strain on the intricate mandibular muscles. Unless you cut certain foods into smaller pieces, it may be best to avoid them altogether. Stick to softer diet, including mashed potatoes, oatmeal, soups, noodles, rice and try a tender cut of meat such as filet mignon.

Yawning can happen whether we lack oxygen or whenever mother-nature is telling us to catch up on some much-needed shut-eye. For the TMJ sufferer, it’s important to remember to keep your fist close by when a yawn is going to happen. Keep your fist under the chin to keep yourself from a really wide yawn. Don’t stretch the muscles too much.

When all else fails, including dietary modification consider getting a dental bumper. If tooth grinding and clenching are a problem, doctors can have you fitted for the upper and lower jaw or just one. When the tray is worn properly, the new alignment can reduce or prevent dizziness, vertigo, and tinnitus commonly seen in TMJ patients. The eardrum is close to the jaw bone which can cause inner ear disturbances. If this condition is not treated in a timely fashion, patients may need a root canal to be performed to help aid tooth loss prevention.

Filed Under: Cure, Dental care Tagged With: Temporomandibular joint, Temporomandibular joint disorder, tooth

Top 3 Secret Tips for Healthy Teeth

Practically everyone believes it’s important to have healthy teeth. Healthy teeth doesn’t just happen by chance; you have to be proactive. Here are some ways to be more proactive about the care of your teeth.

1. Avoid Too Much Acidic Drinks

Beverages like orange juice and soda are acidic. These types of acidic drinks have a low pH balance, which increases the possibility of enamel erosion. Erosion occurs when acidic foods soften the enamel in your teeth, leaving them vulnerable to physical wear. Some tips to avoid enamel erosion include, using a straw to drink to ensure minimal contact with your teeth, not swishing around drinks in your mouth which maximizes exposure to acid, and using a toothpaste that contains fluoride, which helps to protect the enamel.

2. Change Toothbrush Every Three Months.

The American Dental Association recommends that people change their toothbrush at least four times a year; which works out to every three months. In a 2010 article from Intelligent Dental, it states that people with oral diseases and weakened immune system should change their toothbrush more often. Most toothbrushes nowadays, are designed with color indicators to let you know when to change your brush. The most common color indicator is blue. When the blue color on the bristles start fading away, and when it’s obvious that your bristles are worn out, that means it’s time to change your brush.

3. Chew Sugar-Free Gum After Meals

Chewing gum after meals increases saliva in the mouth. This saliva is helpful to neutralize and remove some of the acid build-up in your mouth. According to worlddental.org, sugar-free gum is most ideal to chew after meals. Sugar acts as a natural stimulant to increase the production of acid; which increases enamel erosion. So chewing sugar-free gum after meals, is a great way to quickly remove acid from your mouth.

Using these tips can prevent tooth decay and make you smile even more.

Filed Under: Dental care, Health Tagged With: Chewing gum, Healthy Teeth, Sugar substitute, tooth

The Guardians of the Body: The Teeth

Yes, you wouldn’t believe your pearly whites are important to your overall health, but they are. So start believing. It’s important to always take care of your teeth, but you can only do so much. That’s why you need really strong dental insurance. Of course, you’re asking the easy question: why is dental care so important to overall health anyway?

Do the research. It’s basically everywhere.

Tooth decay and the more advanced periodontal disease can lead to other health problems such as heart disease and issues with your brain. Of all things, your brain! Since when do your teeth have a connection with the overall quality of health in your mind? It doesn’t matter when; what matters is that it’s true. Taking care of your teeth actually takes care of you. So be mindful of that.

Having dental insurance will dramatically reduce dental checkup costs and any prescription costs you might end up having, too. And many know just how incredibly expensive a trip to the dentist might be. Be sure to find good online insurance quotes to help you out with the matter, as you don’t want to get financially shafted even though you’re benefiting money-wise in ways you can only imagine. Who would’ve thought your teeth are so important? Well, they are.

Keeping that in mind, it allows you to get regular checkups, too. Curbing the price through insurance coverage gives you that freedom. After awhile, without coverage, the cost can kill you—probably even more than falling teeth. But with the insurance, regular dental cleanings will always make you feel like your teeth will stay healthy no matter what, even when you keep forgetting to brush and floss. Seeing a dentist regularly is absolutely crucial.

Now open wide. Don’t worry. As you hear the drill, just know that it’s completely safe.

Filed Under: Health Tagged With: Business, Dental caries, Dental insurance, Dentistry, Health, Health insurance, Insurance, tooth

Flexible Tooth Brushing Schedules

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By the time they’re kids, most individuals have learned that it’s important to brush one’s teeth three times a day. This helps to prevent oral decay and provide for long lasting teeth. But is the conventional wisdom too inflexible to really mean much? No one wants bits of their teeth to break off later in life due to cavity formation, yet this phenomenon happens regularly to people who cannot afford to have regular dental checkups. Part of the reason that people experience tooth decay is that they didn’t brush their teeth often enough, removing the particles that cause plaque and other tooth enamel attackers.

But as times change, so too do standards. Common wisdom in the 21st century seems to have tried to update itself in the face of an ever busier populace. The common wisdom now states that brushing twice a day is enough. Either the dentists have gotten together to put this out there in the hopes of drumming up some business, or we as a collective of people now have so little time that we’ve convinced the ADA that we can squeeze by with little in the way of tooth care. And that’s not quite how it is. With sugar and high fructose corn syrup in a disproportionate number of products, the human mouth is filled with a lot more cavity creating potential than ever before.

In light of such dietary changes, it seems that tooth brushing recommendations should accommodate for mobility, but simultaneously include at least the same amount of recommended brush strokes per day. While assisted living facilities stick to a regular schedule because their live-in residents are pretty regular sorts, active people need some flexibility. Maybe something as simple as, ‘quickly brush your teeth following the consumption of candy or acidic foods?’ By being less rigid and encouraging frequent cleanings, national oral health might improve.

Filed Under: Dental care, Dentistry Tagged With: American Dental Association, Dentistry, tooth

The Benefits of Baking Soda for Dental Care

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With food and personal hygiene supplies being recalled from store shelves across the world it makes the choice to move to natural dental care easier. For some people this natural care choice means using a home remedy approach. Baking soda is the key ingredient of this approach. It serves as a tooth cleanser, odor and bacteria fighter, and even a mouthwash. The uses of baking soda in a dental care plan can actually be very beneficial for the person and the household budget.

A key reason that someone would use baking soda for dental care is to kill bacteria within the mouth. Bacteria can build up in between teeth and along the gum lines and cause not only gum and tooth decay but also odor issues. In fact one of the key compounds that causes bacteria, Volatile Sulfur, can be eliminated with the use of a baking soda and water paste. Using the baking soda will gently and effectively remove current bacteria and help to prevent build up of further bacteria.

Baking soda can also be used as an affordable alternative for a pricey procedure known as teeth whitening. Instead of having chemicals placed on the teeth for a long period of time or having a pricey dental procedure done a person can simply use a baking soda and water mixture. The mixture can be applied as a paste to a toothbrush and used to gently scrub away stains and plague buildup. The baking soda will not cause damage to tooth enamel or to the gum line.

Baking soda can also help with dental care in the aspect of pain management. When there is an infection or mouth pain a rinse of salt, baking soda, and warm water can help to kill bacteria around the infected area and keep the area irrigated until a dentist can be seen.

Filed Under: Dental care, Dentistry Tagged With: Dental caries, Dentistry, Gingiva, Health, Odor, Sodium bicarbonate, tooth, Tooth enamel