Healthy teeth and gums are imperative to our overall health. Many factors affect oral health, so it's vital that we take good care of our mouths to help reduce health problems.
Essential Vitamins and Minerals
Certain vitamins and minerals play particularly important roles in the growth of healthy teeth, and these make effective supplements to strengthen teeth and gums and maintain good oral health.
Vitamin A: The healing of inflamed gums can be aided by vitamin A. It helps to maintain the soft tissue of the gums. Food sources of vitamin A include beef, liver, milk, cheese and eggs.
Vitamin B: The B vitamins are vital for healthy teeth and gums. A vitamin B deficiency can lead to toothache, oral sensitivity, and receding gums. B vitamins can be found in meat, fish and mushrooms, although the diet often does not provide adequate levels.
Vitamin C: Due to its healing qualities, vitamin C is an essential vitamin for gum health. It also helps to maintain healthy teeth and gums by preventing inflammation and holds antioxidant properties that can promote the formation of healthy connective tissues between the teeth and gums. Vegetables and citrus fruits contain vitamin C. Around 20% of UK adults are deficient in vitamin C.
Vitamin D: Another essential vitamin for guarding against gum and teeth problems is vitamin D, which can help to prevent inflammation of the gums. It also aids the absorption of calcium. Deficiency in vitamin D is one of the most common deficiencies in the UK. Exposure to the sun provides a source of vitamin D.
Calcium: Calcium is an important element in producing and maintaining healthy teeth. It helps to strengthen and maintain density within the teeth. Calcium can be gained from dairy products, such as milk, yoghurt and cheese. However, these should be consumed in moderation, as they contain saturated fats, too much of which can lead to weight gain.
Top Tips for Oral Health
Brush Twice a Day: Brushing on a regular basis is hugely important for maintaining healthy teeth and gums. It is recommended that you brush for two minutes, twice a day. A quarter of UK adults do not brush twice a day. Brushing only once per day increases the risk of developing tooth decay by 33%. Manual toothbrushes should be replaced every three months.
Floss: Using dental floss can help to remove food that can't be reached by brushing alone. Flossing before you brush can increase the effectiveness of brushing by removing trapped food from between the teeth.
Healthy Diet: Consuming a healthy diet can help to provide the necessary nutrients to strengthen teeth and gums. Fruits and vegetables are rich in essential vitamins, while moderate amounts of dairy can provide tooth-building calcium. Drink plenty of water, as this can help to keep the mouth properly hydrated and remove any excess food lodged between the teeth between meals.
Visit the Dentist: Many of us hate going, but a regular check up with the dentist can help to identify any underlying teeth problems and disorders and enable any necessary treatment to be arranged.
What to Avoid
Smoking: Smoking not only causes an unsightly yellowing of the teeth, but the harmful toxins in cigarettes also increase the risk of problems such as tooth decay and gum disease.
Sugary Food and Drinks: Foods that are high in sugar are bad for the teeth. Sugar causes the bacteria in the mouth to produce acid, which can cause cavities and lead to the enamel-eroding from the teeth. Fizzy drinks can also cause a similar problem. Even sugar-free drinks contain acidic flavorings and artificial sweeteners that can contribute to teeth problems such as dental erosion.
Start using these effective tips and supplements to strengthen teeth and gums.
Our bodies are an excellent example of “use it or lose it.” We’re made up of billions of living cells in a state of constant change. If we fail to exercise or move around, our bodies divert those valuable resources elsewhere.
As a result, our muscles start to shrink — and the same concept applies to our bones.
In this article, we’ll examine bone resorption in depth so you can learn what causes it and how to slow the process as much as possible.
WHAT IS BONE RESORPTION?
Bone resorption is the biological process in which our bodies break down our bone tissue and release the minerals into our bloodstream. It’s a natural function that allows our bones to heal and renew themselves over time.
It’s a cycle of breaking down and regenerating — but the process can be interrupted when your body believes it no longer needs bone mass in that particular area. As a result, the bone gets broken down but not replaced.
One of the most common places for resorption to occur is in the jawbone.
WHAT CAUSES JAWBONE RESORPTION?
One of the main reasons for jawbone resorption is the loss of teeth.
When the root is removed, your jawbone no longer receives the stimulus and pressure of chewing. This causes your body to believe that it no longer requires the same bone density in that area.
When a tooth is extracted or lost, up to 25% of bone density can be lost in the first year — and the process continues. Jawbone loss causes your face to shrink, which may make you appear older than you actually are.
However, if you’re a current or future denture user, there are a few steps you can take to reduce the rate of resorption.
HOW TO SLOW JAWBONE RESORPTION AS A DENTURE USER
If you’re concerned about jxawbone resorption, you may want to consider dental implants over traditional dentures. Dental implants replace the root and crown of some of your natural teeth — which can stimulate your jawbone to create bone mass.
Although it isn’t perfect, this little bit of pressure and stimulus can slow the resorption process significantly — which means fewer visits to your denturist for adjustments and refittings.
It’s also important that you remove your dentures overnight. Not only will this give you an opportunity to properly clean and soak your dentures but leaving them in for long periods of time can actually speed up the resorption process.
The constant pressure can cause your jaw to become inflamed — which can cause the rate of resorption to increase significantly.
Have you noticed discomfort or pain after brushing your teeth? Noticing warning signs of oral health issues and quickly acting on them is a great way to keep your teeth and gums in excellent condition. Read the top three causes of tooth pain and what to do about them.
Tooth Sensitivity
Cleaning your teeth is essential for keeping your smile healthy. If your teeth hurt after brushing or eating hot or cold foods, you may have tooth sensitivity. According to the American Dental Association, tooth decay and gum disease can cause tooth sensitivity, and you will need professional treatment. Your dental professionals can check for signs of oral health problems and recommend a treatment for tooth sensitivity, such as a special toothpaste, a crown, or an in-office application of fluoride gel.
Tooth sensitivity may be temporary. Some people report tooth pain shortly after a visit to their dental hygienist. If the dental hygienist has done any scaling or tartar removal or your teeth could be sensitive if you have gum recession, discomfort can occur from the exposed root surface. In this case, tooth sensitivity is only temporary. You can brush your teeth with sensitive toothpaste. Usually, your teeth will return to normal within a few weeks. If they do not, call your dentist and ask them to check your teeth.
If a recent dental treatment is not the reason, food sensitivity can often be a side effect of damaged enamel, which you can't get back once worn away. Damaged enamel occurs when the hard mineral that protects your teeth's surface erodes over time, as explained by the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR). Enamel erosion is usually the result of exposure to acid or excess sugar. Enamel that wears away can result in cavities and pain after brushing or flossing. If you suspect this is the reason for your teeth hurting after flossing or brushing, talk to your dentist.
If the enamel wears away to the point of exposing the sensitive nerves in your teeth, you have a cavity. These cavities often manifest as sharp pain when you bite down on something hard, and it doesn't have to be hot or cold to set you off. Cavities are small fissures in your teeth, but they can lead to more complicated infections if left unfilled. You should see your dentist as soon as you suspect you have one; he or she can fill it to prevent it from becoming worse.
Gingivitis and Tooth Decay
Gingivitis is the initial stage of gum disease. Plaque buildup irritates gum tissue, making gums swollen and tender. Bleeding gums after brushing is a sign of gingivitis. Maintain proper oral hygiene and see your dentist if you notice these symptoms. As gum disease progresses, it can become more challenging to treat.
The Wrong Toothbrush
If you notice pain and discomfort after brushing with a hard-bristled brush, then it may be time to get a new toothbrush. Most dentists recommend a soft-bristled toothbrush to keep teeth clean. Good brushing technique with a soft brush can help remove plaque and fight tooth decay and gum disease without irritating your gums and teeth. Brush for two minutes using short, gentle strokes. Clean all the surfaces of your teeth, including the outside, inside, and chewing surface of those hard-to-reach back teeth.
As you can see, tooth pain after brushing may be a temporary inconvenience after a professional dental treatment, or it may be a sign of a more serious oral health condition.
When it comes to flossing, you have options. Dental floss and dental tape are effective tools for cleaning between your teeth — as long as you know how to use them correctly.
You’ve probably been hearing that you should floss each day since you were a child. From your parents to your dentists, everyone seems to be emphasizing the importance of flossing — and they’re not wrong! Flossing can remove plaque from your teeth and prevent plaque accumulation, tartar, cavities, and gum disease. But in all that time, has anyone ever brought up what to floss with?
By default, most people use dental floss, but there are other options available, such as dental tape. Both products will help you clean your teeth, but they differ from each other slightly. By understanding the difference between dental tape and dental floss, you’ll be able to choose the most effective product for you to remove plaque and food particles from between your teeth.
Dental Tape vs. Dental Floss
While brushing can help remove plaque from the front and back surfaces of your teeth, you’ll have to use dental tape, dental floss, or a water flosser to effectively clean beneath your gum line and between your teeth.
Dental floss consists of twisted nylon filaments or plastic monofilaments and comes in waxed and unwaxed varieties. Unwaxed floss is easier to grip than waxed floss, but it’s also more prone to breakage, fraying, and snapping during use. If you’re trying to make your oral care routine more eco-friendly, you can purchase biodegradable floss made from silk!
Compared to dental floss, dental tape — also known as ribbon tape — is flatter, broader, and a little more stretchy. Dental tape is often made of waxed nylon or polythene fiber, and it’s generally around one millimeter wider than dental floss. Thanks to its flat surface, dental tape can slide between your teeth more easily. It’s also less likely to snap against your gums than dental floss.
When it comes to picking one of these interdental cleaning products over the other, the main things to consider are how easy each one is for you to use and which one is most effective at cleaning between your teeth. If you have larger fingers or find it difficult to hold thin strands of dental floss, you might be better off using dental tape. However, if your teeth are very close together, waxed floss might be best, as its coating allows the floss to easily slip between teeth. Plus, waxed floss is sturdier than its unwaxed counterpart, so you won’t have to worry about it fraying or breaking as you’re flossing.
Flossing The Right Way
Dental floss and dental tape can effectively remove plaque — as long as you know how to use them. So, whether you opt to use dental floss or dental tape, set aside time to learn how to floss correctly.
To start, break off an 18-inch piece of floss or tape. Then, wind the ends around your middle fingers. Use your pointer finger and thumb to pinch the string and gain control. After inserting the floss or tape into the gap between your teeth, wrap it around your tooth’s edge to form a c-shape. Begin gently moving the floss or tape back and forth, working your way up the gap. Then, shift the floss, giving you a clean section of tape or floss, and reverse the c-shape to clean the other tooth. Do this for all the gaps between your teeth.
You can talk to your dentist for advice and try using pre-threaded flossers, dental picks, water flossers, or small dental brushes if you’re struggling to use dental floss or tape correctly. Even if you’re not having difficulties flossing, you should still visit your dentist regularly.
When plaque builds up in your mouth, it can turn into an even greater dental health threat: calculus. This formation, also known as tartar, is a calcified mass that adheres to your teeth. Calculus is classified as either supragingival or subgingival, depending on its location on your teeth. If left unremoved, subgingival calculus can lead to gum disease and tooth loss.
How Calculus Develops
An article published in the International Journal of Dental and Health Sciences (IJDHS) explains that plaque, which is a sticky film of bacteria that constantly forms on your teeth, can mineralize due to the exchange of calcium and phosphate ions present in your saliva. This process is what creates calculus, a hard mass of bacteria stuck to your tooth surfaces.
Plaque can harden into calculus in as little as four to eight hours. The average length of time for mineralization, however, is 10 to 12 days. Calcification times can vary from person to person, depending on their salivary pH and the amount of calcium and other substances in their saliva. Once calculus forms, it then attracts more plaque, which in time can become another layer of calcified material.
Characteristics of Subgingival Calculus
Tartar that accumulates on your teeth above the gumline and is easily seen by your dentist or dental hygienist is called supragingival calculus, according to the IJDHS article. But the tartar that forms below the gumline — and is therefore not immediately visible — is known as subgingival calculus. This type of calculus is usually dark brown to greenish black in color and can be detected with a dental instrument called an explorer.
It's important to note that, while you can clean plaque off your teeth with brushing and flossing, hard tartar can only be removed by a professional cleaning, explains the American Academy of Periodontology (AAP). Your dentist or dental hygienist uses special instruments that are designed to remove the calculus.
Calculus and Periodontal Disease
Calculus, including subgingival calculus, is associated with gingivitis, which is the first stage of gum disease, according to a review in the Journal of Health Sciences & Research (JOHSR). Typical early-stage gum disease symptoms include red, swollen gums and minor bleeding, according to the AAP. Luckily, the condition is often reversible with a good home care routine.
If left untreated, gingivitis can turn into periodontitis, where the plaque continues to spread beneath the gumline. When this happens, the AAP notes that the gum tissue eventually begins to pull away from the teeth, forming pockets that get infected. Pockets between the teeth and gums deeper than 4 millimeters may indicate that you have periodontitis, notes the Mayo Clinic.
When tartar builds up in the pocket, the bacteria can destroy the surrounding bone and tissue structures. Treatment of periodontitis usually involves scaling and root planing to remove all of the tartar, explains the Mayo Clinic. Periodontal surgery may also be necessary to treat any bone loss.
Preventing Calculus Formation
Since plaque is what forms tartar, preventing calculus involves cleaning plaque off your teeth regularly to prevent mineralization. This is why it's important to maintain a good oral care routine at home. Be sure to brush your teeth twice a day and floss daily. Using an antimicrobial mouthrinse can also help to reduce the amount of bacteria in your mouth. In addition, you should visit your dentist every six months for dental cleanings. At these cleanings, your dentist or dental hygienist will remove any tartar to prevent inflammation and gum disease.
While subgingival calculus can cause serious dental complications, it's one battle you can win if you keep up with good dental health habits.
Monitoring your teeth and gums is crucial to all-round physical well-being as signs in your mouth could be symptoms of illness elsewhere in your body. Jaw ache, for example, could be a symptom of a heart attack. Loose teeth could point towards osteoporosis.
“This is why people should visit their dentist at least twice a year for check-ups and cleaning. Analysing oral health regularly, along with brushing and flossing at home, can help keep your physical health in good order too.
“It’s also wise to be aware of any changes in the mouth, as well as pain. If you notice anything untoward, see your dentist or medical practitioner straight away,” he added.
According to Dr Mahmood, here is what you should be looking out for:
BLEEDING AND SORE GUMS
Bleeding or aching gums could be pointing towards gum disease.
“Gum disease can be prevalent in people with underlying conditions such as diabetes, an ailment which can weaken the immune system – putting you in danger of infection,” said Dr Mahmood.
“If you have diabetes, you’re more likely to suffer with a gum disease known as periodontal disease. This is inflammation in the gums and the bones around your teeth. Periodontal disease also causes bad breath (halitosis) and even loss of teeth.
“Diabetes can cause a dry mouth because of a lack of saliva which in turn can cause ulceration and tooth decay. Furthermore, you are also prone to developing oral thrush as it can impact the way your body fights off infections.
“This can put your gums at risk of inflammation because of the bacteria living in plaque. Other signs of diabetes include oral fungal infections, dry mouth, and fruity smelling breath,” he added.
“Fruity-smelling breath can be a sign of diabetic ketoacidosis which is a dangerous and potentially life-threatening condition in which your blood sugar is so high it starts turning acidic,” said Dr Mahmood.
“But as dentists we are constantly working around the mouth and can pick up on this distinctive oral scent.”
Dr Mahmood also pointed out that people with gum disease can be twice or three times more likely of having a heart attack, stroke, or developing heart disease and other serious cardiovascular complications.
"There are logical reasons why dental health and heart health may be related,” he said.
“Inflammation is a common occurrence in both diseases.
“The main issue is the development of heart disease due to poor oral health / gum disease. The bacteria from the diseased gums can spread through your bloodstream and attach itself to a damaged area of your heart causing inflammation. This can lead to endocarditis (an infection of the inner lining of the heart) and other cardiovascular problems such as atherosclerosis (clogged arteries).
JAW PAIN / DISCOMFORT
Although rare, jaw pain could be a sign of something more sinister that we shouldn’t ignore.
“Occasionally, pain or discomfort in the jaw could be indicative of a heart attack,” added Dr Mahmood.
“Although the chances are rare, it’s important to recognise these symptoms which could save someone’s life. Your jaw could hurt with cardiac arrest because the nerves that detect pain coming from the heart, travel to the same general area in your spinal cord as they share the same nerve pathway.
“These signals then work their way up to the brain. So, in essence your jaw is signalling pain on behalf of your heart.”
LOOSE OR LOST TEETH
If your teeth are wobbly or falling out, it may be a sign of advanced gum disease. It can also be an early indicator of osteoporosis, which decreases bone density and weakens bones.
“There have been studies showing links between osteoporosis and bone loss in the jaw which the teeth anchor into,” explained Dr Mahmood.
“This should be investigated further if you’re experiencing random tooth loss.”
CHANGES IN TOOTH ENAMEL AND SURFACES
Changes in the surfaces of the tooth can say a lot, Dr Mahmood revealed.
“If the teeth appear eroded and translucent, that can often be indicative of an eating disorder like bulimia or acid reflux,” explained Dr Mahmood.
“Stomach acid is abrasive and can steadily wear away at tooth enamel.
“Excessive vomiting can also prompt dry mouth, dry and cracked lips, loss of tooth enamel, swollen salivary glands and sensitive teeth,” added Dr Mahmood.
BAD BREATH
Halitosis, as it’s also known, can occur as a result of a dry mouth or certain foods and drinks. But gum disease and gingivitis could also be the cause of bad breath.
“Bad breath can also be symptomatic for something underlying, something more serious,” said Dr Mahmood.
“It could be a pointer to a sinus infection, diabetes, a chronic lung infection, liver or kidney disease,” he added.
MOUTH SORES, LUMPS
Lumps and sores in the mouth can be a sign of a canker sore, but you should have any new lesions checked with your dentist.
“These sores can sometimes be the results of a fungal infection or something more serious, so always best to get checked out,” said Dr Mahmood.
“Oral cancer often starts as a small white or red spot or sore in the mouth and it is more likely to affect smokers or alcohol drinkers,” he added.
When was the last time you paid any attention to your gums?
When we think of our oral health, many of us tend to think exclusively of our teeth. Unless they’ve been causing bother, we often overlook the role that our gums play in our mouths – but the truth is, you can’t have a healthy mouth without healthy gums.
In this article, our expert periodontists here at Al-FaPerio clinic explore four reasons why your gums are important to your oral health.
They keep your teeth in place
Your teeth could be in the best condition they’ve ever been in, but if you don’t have healthy gums to support them, issues will start to present themselves.
Your gums act as a seal around your teeth – providing a barrier against bacteria and helping to safeguard the more sensitive tissues underneath.
Without sufficient gum care, bacteria and food debris can find their way around your teeth. If left to accumulate, this can lead to plaque build-ups and gingivitis, which is the start of periodontal (gum) disease.
Once gingivitis has progressed into gum disease, the gums begin to recede, causing them to loosen and – in the worst-case scenario – leading to teeth falling out.
While extremely serious, gum disease is treatable, and in some cases, fully reversible – but without the correct treatment, the structure of your gums and the supporting bones will be destroyed.
If you have missing teeth because of gum disease, we have just the solution.
At Al-FaPerio, we don’t just specialise in gum disease treatment, but we also offer dental implants in Essex to help you regain confidence in your smile.
Healthy gums can reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease
The link between gum disease and cardiovascular health is no secret.
People with gum disease are up to three times more likely to suffer heart attacks, strokes, and other serious cardiovascular incidents, according to Harvard Medical School, so it’s vital that you take your gum health seriously.
Gum disease, as we know, is a bacterial infection, and studies have shown that the bacteria that accumulates in the mouth can find its way into the bloodstream, causing inflammation of the blood vessels and increasing your risk of heart disease.
Healthy gums can contribute to better memory
Growing evidence suggests that poor gum health can contribute to cognitive decline and dementia.
In a study by the American Geriatrics Society, people with gum disease and tooth loss were more at risk of cognitive decline and developing dementia.
The bacterial infection responsible for gum disease is known to increase systematic inflammation – which several studies suggest contributes to the development of dementia.
Gum disease is also the number one contributor to tooth decay and loss, which further increases the risk of such issues.
Unhealthy gums affect your overall health
Study after study shows a direct correlation between poor oral hygiene and poor health overall.
The bacteria responsible for gum disease, as we’ve established, can enter your bloodstream through the gum tissue and affect other parts of your body. Gum disease has proven to increase the risk of developing the following health conditions:
Respiratory diseases – such as asthma, pneumonia, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
It can be one of the singularly most unpleasant sensations in the world (or at least in your mouth)—that feeling of a furry coating on your teeth. It can happen first thing in the morning, particularly if you didn’t get a chance to brush the night before. It can happen after chowing down on a bunch of candy, maybe after a Halloween party. Maybe you’ve experienced it after sipping a soda or another sugar-sweetened beverage. It can even happen over the course of a day of your normal eating habits and patterns. If you’ve had to fight the feeling that your teeth are wearing fuzzy socks, you’ve likely wondered what caused your teeth to grow that coating. Moreover, you’re probably very interested in how to get rid of it and how to keep it happening again. If you haven’t guessed yet, that coating is plaque, and you definitely have options and tools available to you to keep it from making your days miserable or damaging your oral health.
So What is Plaque?
Plaque is a common word for biofilm, the collection of all the bacteria in your mouth that grows every day, feeding on the foods that you eat and growing together. It’s important to note that a biofilm is different from individual bacteria floating loose in your mouth. Bacteria in a biofilm share resources and grow together. Bacteria in a biofilm become firmly entrenched, difficult to get rid of, as they grow together and build up a network for defense and sharing resources. Think of it this way: a knight in armor standing in a field by himself is a great deal easier to deal with than a group of knights in a stone tower, defending the structure they built up for mutual defense. That heavy feeling on your teeth is the bacterial equivalent of a stone defensive wall full of knights.
Why Does Plaque Grow?
Just like there are bacteria that live on the surface of your skin and that live in your digestive system, there are bacteria that live inside your mouth. The bacteria in your mouth, like all living things, need to eat. Luckily for them, you need to eat as well, and the foods that you eat become the food that they eat. When you eat a diet rich in sugars and starchy foods, the bacteria in your mouth thrive, sincecarbohydrates are their preferred diets. The bacteria feast on sugary foods and pump out acid as a result of digestion. The more often you eat, the more often the bacteria eat. The more often you eat starchy food, the longer your mouth remains acidic, and that is bad news for your oral health.
Why is it Bad to Have Lots of Plaque Acids?
Plaque acid is dangerous to your enamel. Your tooth enamel protects the inner structures of your teeth. It also is susceptible to damage from acid; the minerals from your enamel dissolve in acid environments. When enamel dissolves and the minerals are not redeposited because the environment in your mouth stays too acidic, you develop cavities. It’s also dangerous for your gum health to have high acid environments. Studies have shown a correlation between chronic low pH (acid) levels in the mouth and advanced gum disease.
So What Can You Do to Minimize Plaque Formation?
You will grow plaque every day because the human mouth is not and cannot be a sterile, bacteria-free environment. The best ways to handle plaque are to remove it regularly and make your oral environment unfriendly for caries causing bacteria.
You probably know the tools for removing plaque daily. Brush at least twice a day, every day to remove plaque from your tooth, cheek, and tongue surfaces. Floss daily to remove plaque from between teeth. Regular cleanings and checkups at your dentist’s office are also important to keep plaque at bay. Plaque that is not removed regularly hardens into tartar, which cannot be readily brushed away at home, so daily vigilance is necessary to maintain good oral health.
To make your oral environment hostile to caries-causing bacteria, take simple steps to make it harder for them to grow. The more often you eat, the more often they eat. So, whenever possible, restrict your eating to mealtimes and skip snacking between meals. It’s a simple way to restrict the bacterial growth potential. Also, consider switching to high pH oral care products for your daily cleansing routine. They can help keep your oral environment unfriendly for bacterial growth while helping with the mechanical removal.
Finally, if you feel that you have more plaque than you should or if you are concerned, talk to your dental care team about your caries risk and plaque levels at your next visit. With some simple lifestyle choices, you can control the growth of your oral plaque and feel comfortable, not crazy.
Treating a toothache at home may include pain medication, or other methods such as using an icepack or elevating your head. Your dentist can help assess the reasons for your toothache if it lasts more than 2 days.
If you have a toothache, chances are it’s getting in the way of your sleep. While you may not be able to get rid of it completely, there are some home treatments you can try to help with the pain.
Getting rid of a toothache at night
Treating a toothache at home usually involves pain management. Here are a few ways to dull your pain so you can get a good night’s sleep.
Use over-the-counter pain medication. Using medications such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), acetaminophen (Tylenol), and aspirin can relieve minor pain from a toothache. Using numbing pastes or gels — often with benzocaine — can help to dull the pain long enough for you to fall asleep. Don’t use any products with benzocaine to treat infants or children under age 2.
Keep your head elevated. Propping your head higher than your body can keep the blood from rushing to your head. If blood pools in your head, it might intensify the toothache pain and possibly keep you awake.
Avoid eating acidic, cold, or hard foods right before bed. These foods can aggravate your teeth and any cavities that may have already formed. Try to avoid foods that trigger pain.
Rinse your teeth with mouthwash. Use a mouthwash that contains alcohol to both disinfect and numb your teeth.
Use an ice pack before bed. Wrap an ice pack in cloth and rest the painful side of your face on it. This can help to dull the pain so you can rest.
Natural remedies for toothaches.
Therapeutic methods have been used by natural healers to treat oral diseases including toothaches at night. According to a 2015 studyTrusted Source, some natural remedies that have been used include:
clove
guava leaves
mango bark
pear seed and bark
sweet potato leaves
sunflower leaves
tobacco leaves
garlic
Talk to your doctor and dentist before using natural remedies. Be careful about any allergies or reactions to the plants or oils used.
What are the causes of toothaches?
Toothaches can be caused by something happening to your teeth or gums. They also can be caused by pain in other parts of your body. Common causes of toothaches include:
Mouth or jaw injury. These can occur from blunt force trauma to the facial area.
Sinus infection. Drainage from sinus infections may cause tooth pain.
Tooth decay. When bacteria causes tooth decay, the nerves in your teeth may be exposed, causing pain.
Losing a filling. If you lose a filling, the nerve inside the tooth may be exposed.
Abscessed or infected tooth. Sometimes called a dental abscess, this condition is described as a pocket of pus in the tooth.
Food or other debris wedged in your teeth. Organic and inorganic matter wedged in your teeth can cause pressure between the teeth.
Teething or wisdom teeth crowning. If you have wisdom teeth coming in, as well as breaking through the gums, they may be pressing against other teeth.
Temporomandibular joint disorders. TMJ is classified as pain in your jaw joint, but can also affect your teeth.
Gum disease. Gum diseases such as gingivitis or periodontal disease can cause toothaches or pain.
Grinding. You may grind or clench your teeth at night which can cause additional pain.
When should you go to the dentist?
Monitor your toothache over the next 24 hours. If it subsides, you may just have an irritation. Make an appointment with your dentist if:
the pain is severe
your toothache lasts longer than two days
you have a fever, headache, or pain when opening your mouth
you have trouble breathing or swallowing
Outlook
Depending on what caused your toothache, your dentist will determine a treatment that best fits your condition. If you have tooth decay, they may clean out and fill a cavity in your tooth.
If your tooth has split or cracked, your dentist may repair it or suggest replacement with a false tooth. If your toothache is due to a sinus infection, symptoms will typically subside once your sinus infection goes away, sometimes with the help of antibiotics.
Make sure to consult your dentist if your toothache lasts more than two days or causes you severe discomfort.
Hundreds of bacteria species call your mouth home. These microorganisms play a crucial role in initiating the digestion of your food, maintaining your immune system, and preventing diseases. However, some types of bacteria — such as oral streptococci — also contribute to plaque development and can sometimes lead to oral diseases. So let’s find out more about these potentially harmful strains of bacteria.
What Is Streptococci?
You can find bacteria belonging to the genus Streptococcus in almost every part of the human body. Still, streptococci dominate the oral cavity and are the primary genus found in saliva and the mouth's soft tissues. Even more, streptococci play a critical role in the development of the oral microbiome. These bacteria are the first organisms detected in newborns' mouths and are considered the primary colonizers, allowing other bacteria species to assemble.
The Role of Streptococci in Plaque Formation
Streptococcus species (or streptococci) play a role in plaque formation. They bind directly to the tooth's surface, creating a base layer of plaque. With a steady diet of carbohydrates and poor oral hygiene, this plaque becomes acidic, damaging your enamel and creating cavities.
Typically, your saliva can help neutralize acids and repair enamel damaged through remineralization. But bacteria can use sugar from your diet to form a thick, dense layer of plaque that prevents your saliva from penetrating the biofilm and removing the dangerous acids. The resulting acidic environment attracts bacteria like Streptococcus mutans and other acid-producing microorganisms that have been linked to the development of cavities. With no treatment, these oral streptococci can lead to tooth decay and loss.
Can Streptococci Cause Diseases?
Many streptococci species live in humans without causing symptoms; however, some can lead to infections that vary in severity — from a sinus infection to pneumonia. Specifically, infections caused by Streptococcus mutans become serious when the bacteria enter other parts of the body. If the bacteria enter the bloodstream, they can cause bacteremia in addition to endocarditis, a serious infection in the heart's lining. This heart infection can be fatal and often requires hospitalization and intravenous antibiotics treatment. Patients with compromised immune systems or who already suffer from heart valve problems are especially vulnerable.
How To Prevent Health Issues From Mutans Streptococci
Preventing oral and health issues caused by streptococci and other bacteria starts with a great oral hygiene routine. Healthy habits include:
Brushing twice daily with a fluoride toothpaste
Cleaning between teeth daily with floss or another interdental device
Eating a healthy diet low in sugar and carbohydrates
Regularly visiting your dentist and dental hygienist for exams and treatment
Everyone has dental plaque with both beneficial and harmful microorganisms. They are part of the oral flora. But rest assured that with a strong oral hygiene routine, you can keep your smile healthy and happy.
