Dental care is an investment that pays off immediately and in the long term. Taking good care of your mouth improves the chances that your teeth will last a lifetime. Good oral habits are a lifestyle in and of themselves. They require a commitment on your part, which is where this piece comes in. Learning about the effect of aging on your mouth is a great motivator to keep you caring for your teeth.
The benefits of good dental care on oral health
Oral health covers the wellbeing of the entire oral cavity, including the teeth and the structures that support them. Every part of the mouth feels the effects of both good and bad oral habits. These are the results of taking care of the mouth over many years:
Good oral hygiene goes a long way to prevent cavities, tooth decay, and gum disease
The person who sees a dentist as soon as they notice any oral health problem is unlikely to develop complex oral health issues
A healthy diet makes for healthy teeth, healthy gums, and a healthy body
Avoiding habits like smoking minimizes the chances of tartar and gum disease
Adopting these habits limits the effects of aging on the teeth, gums, and jawbone. Ignoring them seems to accelerate the aging process of the mouth. These are the effects of aging on natural teeth.
1. Yellowing teeth
The enamel should be milky-white, with the sheen and translucence of a pearl. In contrast, the dentin or inner tooth is yellow. In youth, the enamel is thick enough to obscure the yellow coloration of the dentin. With age, wear, and tear, the enamel thins. The thinner the enamel gets the more visible the dentin becomes. This is how yellow teeth develop as you age.
2. Wear and tear
The enamel has to be one of the hardest substances in the body. It withstands massive crushing and shearing forces over the course of a lifetime. This results in the gradual wear of the biting surfaces of the teeth. The extent of the wear varies from person to person. As an example, people who clench their jaws may suffer a greater degree of wear than people who do not.
3. Gum recession
It almost seems like the teeth get longer with age, except that it is not an optical illusion. The gums do actually recede with age, which makes the teeth longer. Older people are more likely to suffer from gum disease, which presents as severe gum recession and loose teeth. In such scenarios, gum recession can lead to loose teeth or outright tooth loss.
4. Dry mouth
Old age often comes with medication that can dry out the mouth. A dry mouth is a good environment for harmful mouth bacteria, which can cause oral health issues like tooth decay.
5. Smaller nerves
The nerves in the teeth ‘shrink’ with age, which reduces the tooth’s ability to sense pain. This can result in dental problems that evade detection until they become severe.
The small decisions we make every day make all the difference
Dental care includes the way we treat our teeth every day. These small decisions add up, with their effects becoming evident the older we get. It is never too early or too late to take up good oral habits.
Are you suffering from a toothache in Chaska? No matter what caused the pain to occur, you need to find treatment from your dentist as soon as possible. Left unattended to, that throbbing crown can turn into a serious, even life-threatening problem — one called sepsis.
What Is Sepsis?
Sepsis is caused by your body’s response to infection. Nearly 2,000 people in the United States of America are hospitalized due to sepsis every year, and those people are 5 times more likely to die than someone experiences a heart attack or stroke. When it occurs, cells are released into the bloodstream to try to fight the problem and restore your health — and this response can lead to inflammation throughout the body and cause a major shock to your system. If left untreated, sepsis can lead to organ malfunctioning, shock, and, in the worst cases, death.
Sepsis and Toothaches
Because toothaches are caused by infection, one that is not treated can eventually lead to sepsis. The infection bacteria which lives in the tooth may travel through the bloodstream, and when the bacteria count is high enough, the body will quickly respond — possibly leading to septic shock or death. Unfortunately, the number of tooth-related sepsis cases are on the rise, with reports showing that there has been a 40% increase in less than a decade.
Sepsis may not occur until several weeks or months after the toothache develops, which means you can prevent it by visiting your dentist as soon as you realize you have an aching crown. When you do so, the team can provide treatment for the infection — including a filling or root canal — not only protecting you from sepsis but also rescuing the tooth from extraction and keeping your smile complete.
Preventing Toothaches
Fortunately, it is easy to protect your smile against toothaches which may result in sepsis. Through regular dental hygiene practices, you can keep your teeth clean, healthy, and infection-free.
A good oral health routine looks like this:
Gently brush the teeth for two minutes, at least twice a day (after each meal is even better!)
Floss between teeth at least every day, working the dental floss between and around each tooth
Use an alcohol-free mouth rinse for an extra dose of cleansing power in the afternoon or after you brush and floss
Visit your dentist every six months for a checkup and cleaning to ensure small issues are detected and treated as soon as they develop.
Dental sealants are made of thin, plastic coating painted on chewing sides of back teeth: the premolars and molars. They prevent tooth decay by protecting the teeth from bacteria and acid that attacks the enamel. Basically, the sealant creates a shell that shields the enamel all around the tooth.
Why Are Sealants Used On Molars or Premolars?
Molars and premolars are situated deep inside the mouth, making it harder to clean. The toothbrush and floss hardly clean out the grooves in between the teeth located at the back. The teeth are tightly packed, and this makes it hard for toothbrush bristles to reach and takeout food debris. These reasons make molars and premolars a target for acid and bacteria attack. The bacteria breed on them and eventually eat through the enamel causing cavities.
Who Should Get Sealants?
Sealants are ideal for anyone with permanent molars and premolars. The back teeth are highly likely to decay and develop cavities around the deep grooves and depressions. Therefore, sealants are recommended for teenagers and children. The adults who manage to grow up free of dental issues affecting their molars could also benefit from dental sealants.
The pediatric dentists at Kidzania advise children to have sealants as soon as the premolars and permanent molars come out. This helps protect the teeth from when the kids are as young as six years.
In some rare cases, children younger than six years may need dental sealants. When a dentist observes that a child’s teeth have deep grooves and depressions, he or she may recommend the use of sealants. This is because baby teeth play a critical role in creating the right spacing when permanent teeth come out.
How Are Sealants Applied?
Parents may worry if the process of applying sealant is painful. On the contrary, it is painless and quite simple. The process only takes a few minutes. The dentist starts by cleaning the surface of the teeth thoroughly using a rotating brush and strong fluoride. The cleaning process should wipe out all the debris stuck in between teeth.
The teeth are then rinsed off with clean water to wipe out the fallen debris. They are then dried. After that, the dentist places an acidic solution on the tooth’s surface for a few seconds before being rinsed. This solution should roughen up the chewing surfaces in order to create a bonding surface for the sealant.
Once the tooth dries up, the sealant, now in liquid form is applied to the tooth and left to dry till it hardens. At times, a special light is used to quicken the hardening process of the sealant. Upon hardening, the dental sealant forms a hard but thin plastic coating that covers all the targeted teeth independently. You may continue chewing with the tooth normally.
For How Long Will The Sealant Serve You?
Dental sealants have been in existence since the 1970s and have continued to improve thanks to advanced technology and research. Today, a sealant may last up to ten years of maximum effectiveness. However, they demand routine check-ups for chips or wear. When necessary, your dentist may decide to replace the sealant as required.
You will need to continue to brush and floss your teeth as usual even after applying the dental sealants. This helps protect surfaces left uncovered by the sealants. Good dental hygiene standards should be maintained since the dental sealants are but precautionary measures.
An active lifestyle contributes to maintaining good overall health. However, did you know there is a relationship between exercise and oral health? We all want to have healthy, beautiful teeth so let’s dig into this more.
You might be a fitness enthusiast who hits the gym regularly or enjoys playing sports with friends. Perhaps you are an amateur or professional athlete with big goals. Either way, you train regularly and are passionate about fitness and sports. There are many oral health benefits to exercise. However, there are also some drawbacks. Here is an overview of how an active lifestyle can affect your oral health.
Positive Effects of Sports on Your Oral Health
Sports and fitness have multiple benefits for your teeth, including:
Reduced risk of periodontitis. Periodontitis is an advanced gum disease, a serious oral health condition. According to research, you have 54% less chance of developing gum disease if you exercise regularly.
A healthy diet is important. As an athlete, you probably stick to a healthy food regime, especially if you are a professional. That means you don’t consume many sodas and sweets. By keeping the sugar intake low, you also reduce the risk of tooth decay.
Easier to keep a routine. Athletes have an exercise and diet routine, which means they are used to following them. That’s why it shouldn’t be a problem to create healthy habits. Stick to these habits of maintaining optimal dental hygiene, which contributes to oral health.
The entire body is interconnected. Exercise contributes to your respiratory and cardiovascular health. Your body is one large system, which means everything is mutually connected. Oral health contributes to your overall health and vice versa. So, maintaining healthy physical shape could be beneficial for your dental health.
Exercise reduces the risk of inflammation. Many studies show that only 20 minutes of exercise is enough to boost your body’s inflammatory response. It can help to lower the risk of high blood pressure, diabetes, and other medical conditions.
Negative Effects on Dental Health
There aren’t many directly negative effects of exercise. However, some related activities or behavior to exercise can be detrimental to oral health. Here are a few:
Physical injury. This can occur if you play contact sports with others. Additionally if you have physical contact with others during training, you are at risk of a dental injury. The experts estimate athletes lose over five million teeth every year. Ouch! Even a single tooth loss could cause problems with biting, eating, or speaking. A high-quality mouthguard is the best protection against a potential injury.
Dry mouth. While you are exercising, some people keep their mouths open for adequate air intake. It’s what leads to decreased saliva quantity in your mouth. Saliva is crucial to destroying bacteria, which means your protection isn’t at an optimal level during training. It could lead to accelerated tooth decay and enamel erosion over time.
Sports drinks. The drinks you consume for energy often contain high amounts of sugar and other preservatives. These compounds stay in your mouth and could affect your oral health in the long run.
Energy bars. These treats also contain a lot of sugar that has the potential to harm your dental health. You can discuss with a dentist to consider the best alternatives for energy bars.
Tips to Avoid Negative Effects
The best tip for any person is to visit the dentist regularly. According to experts, you should have a dental exam every six months. But if you notice signs of a tooth cavity or any other issue, schedule an appointment immediately. Always aim to solve dental problems at the earliest possible opportunity. It’s how you reduce the odds of them developing into a more serious issue.
Apart from dental checkups, there are ways to avoid the damaging fitness effects on oral health. Here is what the experts recommend to do!
Create an Oral Health Routine
Being an athlete doesn’t spare you from the importance of applying a dental health routine. That means regular brushing and flossing. The experts recommend brushing your teeth at least twice daily, with one time being before you head to sleep. Pick the brush that suits your teeth and fluoride toothpaste since it helps combat cavities and enamel erosion. You should floss your teeth at least once per day.
Wear a Mouthguard During Contact Sports
Some sports, such as hockey or basketball, carry a high risk of dental injuries. A mouthguard is an accessory that protects your teeth if someone or something hits you. You can pick from custom-made guards at the dentists or cheap ones acquired at local stores. The comfort and protection level vary, but wearing a guard could keep you safe. It can help you prevent losing teeth and other dental injuries.
Try Breathing Through Your Nose
It takes practice to start breathing through the nose during exercise. Working out requires us to breathe in a lot of oxygen, which is why we breathe through our mouths. But nose breathing can have many benefits, including improved oxygen absorption and reduced risk of dry mouth. You can try the Buteyko technique to help you control your breathing.
Additional Tips
Some additional tips to use in order to minimize the potential negative effects:
Remain hydrated. If you ensure optimal hydration, you might not need a sports drink to compensate for lost electrolytes. The general rule is to drink water as soon as you feel thirsty.
Pick foods rich in phosphate and calcium. Yogurt, cheese, and milk can help revitalize teeth’ enamel and help them stay in good condition.
Use a mouthwash. It’s possible to go with specialized versions or add mineralizing agents to strengthen the teeth’ surface.
Use a straw when drinking anything but water. The idea is to minimize the contact that sugary drinks have with your teeth.
Are you worried about developing periodontal disease and possibly losing your teeth? The truth is that gum disease is preventable with proper oral hygiene and regular dental visits with our dentist at Artistic Touch Dentistry in Melbourne, FL.
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN I HAVE PERIODONTAL DISEASE?
When you are told that you have periodontal disease, you should know that it is the advanced stage of gum disease where your gums are actively receding and exposing the roots of your teeth. The first stage is gingivitis, which causes swollen, inflamed and bleeding gums. If your gums bleed for any reason while brushing or flossing or seem to be sore, it’s time to schedule an appointment with our dentist in Melbourne, Florida for a checkup and teeth cleaning. Let’s dive in… Here are 7 Ways To Prevent Periodontal Disease:
1. REMEMBER TO BRUSH WITH A MANUAL OR ELECTRIC TOOTHBRUSH A MINIMUM OF TWO TIMES A DAY
The American Dental Association recommends brushing your teeth thoroughly at least twice a day with either a manual toothbrush or an electric toothbrush. As long as you reach every surface of your teeth and along the gum line, it doesn’t matter which version you use. Just remember to always store your toothbrush upright so that it dries completely between uses. If you brush your teeth often, you may want to alternate between two different toothbrushes in order to give them time to dry between uses.
2. FLOSS YOUR TEETH ONCE EVERY 24 HOURS
Flossing your teeth helps remove food particles and plaque between your teeth in areas where your toothbrush doesn’t reach. While you don’t need to floss every time you brush your teeth, we recommend flossing at least once every 24 hours. Most individuals choose to floss at night when they have more time available to floss correctly.
3. USE MOUTHWASH
Remember to use mouthwash to rinse your mouth. The mouthwash you choose should have the ADA seal of approval. You can choose an antibacterial mouthwash that contains alcohol or one that contains no alcohol and only fluoride. Fluoride helps protect your teeth while alcohol-based mouthwashes kill bacteria.
4. DON’T FORGET TO SCRAPE YOUR TONGUE
Your tongue can harbor bacteria, just like your gums and teeth. For this reason, we recommend brushing your tongue at the same time you brush your teeth. To accomplish this task, you can use your toothbrush or purchase a special tongue scraper.
5. TAKE AN OBJECTIVE LOOK AT YOUR LIFESTYLE
Living a healthy lifestyle can help you maintain your oral health. If you drink or use tobacco products, consider quitting. The alcohol in alcoholic drinks can dry out your mouth. Smoking also dries out your mouth and restricts blood flow to your gums, which can increase your risk of developing cavities and periodontal disease. If you eat a lot of sweets or sugary drinks, consider cutting back. Each time you eat something that contains a lot of sugar or simple carbs, you are causing a bacterial explosion in your mouth.
6. CONSIDER STRAIGHTENING YOUR TEETH
Crooked, crowded, or improperly gapped teeth are harder to clean than teeth that are straight. This is because the positions of your teeth may hinder your ability to reach every tooth surface and properly clean along your gum line, even if you are extremely detailed with your at-home oral hygiene routine. Our dentist in Melbourne offers Invisalign invisible aligning trays to help teens and adults straighten their teeth.
Remember to schedule dental check-up and teeth cleanings with our dentist every six months. While the recommendation in the past was to schedule dental appointments every 12 months, that may not be enough to stop the development of gingivitis and periodontal disease. By having your mouth examined and your teeth professionally cleaned every six months, signs of gum disease and cavities can be found at the earliest stages when it’s most easily treatable. You can also schedule appointments more often than every six months. If you notice that your gums are bleeding when you floss or that your gums or teeth are sore, you can schedule an appointment immediately so that the causes can be found and treated.
You're sitting in your seat as your plane ascends. All of a sudden, your tooth starts to throb and hurt, and bothers you throughout your flight. But as you land at your destination, your pain goes away.
What’s wrong? Why would you get a toothache on an airplane? And should you be concerned if your tooth only hurts while flying? Find out now in this blog from the office of Dr. Priti Naik.
Why Does My Tooth Hurt On Airplanes?
The answer is simple. Air pressure! When the pressure of the air changes as your plane rises, your tooth may start to hurt if a pocket of air is stuck inside of the tooth, or between your tooth and a piece of dental work.
Planes fly at a height of 30,000 to 40,000 feet, where the air is too thin to breathe. That’s why the cabin of a plane is “pressurized” to provide breathable air. However, most planes are pressurized to an altitude of 6,000 to 8,000 feet.
This is perfectly breathable and comfortable, but the air does expand and grow thinner as the airplane rises and pressurizes to its normal cabin pressure. This is, for example, why your ears pop as you ascend and descend. Your ears are “equalizing” the pressure as the air expands and contracts.
This can affect your teeth, too. If there’s a pocket of air stuck in your tooth, it will expand as you take off. This can put a lot of pressure on your tooth and the underlying nerves, causing pain. But as you descend to land, the pressure eases off, and the pain goes away.
Should I Be Worried If I Only Get A Toothache On Airplanes?
Yes. Even if your toothache only happens when you fly, it indicates that something is wrong with the tooth. This is because healthy teeth will never hurt on an airplane. Healthy teeth are solid, and have no openings, crevices, or cracks where a bubble of air can become trapped.
If you regularly get toothaches on airplanes, there are two likely culprits. First, it may be a small, unnoticed cavity, which is trapping a bubble of air. You should see a dentist to have the tooth filled. This will relieve your toothache, and will also prevent further complications related to tooth decay, such as infected teeth.
Second, it may be a failing or worn-out dental restoration like a crown or a filling. As crowns and fillings age, they can pull away from the tooth slightly. If a pocket of air forms between the restoration and the tooth, this may cause a toothache.
A cavity is tooth decay. It’s a small hole that develops from bacteria eating away at your tooth’s enamel (hard outer layer). A cavity is permanent damage, meaning that your body can’t heal it on its own, so you’ll need intervention from a Wilmington dentist. Cavities often develop from eating and drinking sugary or acidic foods without proper oral care. If you’re brushing your teeth twice per day, flossing, and visiting your dentist twice per year, you’ll likely avoid this tooth decay.
But if you aren’t taking proper care of your teeth, you might start noticing signs of a cavity like aching pain, sharp pain, and pain when chewing. You’ll start wondering, “If a cavity hurts, is it too late?”
If a Cavity Hurts, Is it too Late for Brushing to Save It?
If you’re wondering if it’s too late for brushing to save your tooth, the answer is yes. Once you have a cavity, whether it has started hurting or not, beginning a healthy oral care routine won’t save you from visiting your Wilmington dentist. Your cavity is your tooth decaying. It’s no longer something sitting on top of your tooth. When decay starts, it keeps going until it’s removed and the hole is filled.
While it’s too late for brushing to save that tooth, you can save your other teeth from the same fate by brushing, flossing, and going to your regular cleanings. When you leave a cavity untreated, you put your other teeth and gums at risk. That cavity that started small can fester and eventually turn into gum disease, which will cause your teeth to fall out and put your entire body at risk of severe illnesses due to bacteria in your bloodstream.
If a Cavity Hurts, Is it too Late for the Dentist?
If your cavity hurts, it’s not too late for a dentist to save your tooth. When cavities are small, they tend not to hurt too much, but they’ll start to cause pain as they grow. That’s usually when you notice them. With a visit to your dentist in Wilmington, we can often save your tooth! And if we can’t, we’ll make sure you have a suitable replacement that is beautiful and functional. It’s vital to get your teeth repaired or replaced. Damage to one tooth makes your other teeth more susceptible to damage. And don’t forget, your teeth function best when they’re healthy and receive proper dental care!
How Dentists Repair Damaged Teeth
How Dr. Kuzma will repair your cavity damage depends on the size of the decay. The smaller the cavity, the less invasive and less expensive the dental procedure is. Healthy teeth and gums save you time and money.
Small Cavities
Small cavities are the easiest to deal with. All they need is a filling: a flowable tooth-colored material that fills the hole in your tooth. But before the dentist can place the filling, we’ll need to clear the damage. At Kuzma Advanced Dentistry, your comfort is our top priority, and we take numbing your teeth very seriously. We’ll numb your tooth and its area but will not proceed until you’re thoroughly numb. Then, we’ll pull the decay from your tooth and fill it.
Fillings are a short dental procedure with a quick recovery time. You may feel some sensitivity, but within two to three days, you’ll have a repaired tooth that functions and looks just like a healthy natural one.
Medium Cavities
For larger cavities, we have two restoration options. Inlays and onlays.
An inlay is similar to a filling, but instead of solely filling the hole left behind, it covers the top of your tooth as well. This restoration is more robust than a filling and provides a higher level of protection.
Onlays provide more protection yet. An onlay fills the space left behind, covers the top of your tooth, and spills over the sides. It’ll also helps hold your tooth together if there are any outward pressures from the flowable material in the hole left by the cavity.
Both dental restorations are custom color-matched to your teeth and usually created in a lab. However, in Wilmington, you can get your inlay or onlay on the same day due to our CEREC machine.
Large Cavities
Sometimes the best option for your tooth is to get a crown. While inlays, onlays, and fillings can do the job, sometimes your cavity is just too large for one of those options to work. Crowns are custom-created caps that fit over your damaged tooth. They’ll match the color of the rest of your teeth, feel, function, and look like a healthy tooth.
First, we’ll take special care to numb your mouth.
Next, we’ll remove the decay and some of the outside of the tooth to make room for the crown.
Finally, we’ll create your crown in our office so you can get it on the same day. Within an hour, you’ll have a brand new tooth!
Dental Options for a Tooth that Can’t be Saved
In some instances, a dentist can’t save your tooth because the decay is too extensive. If your tooth can’t be saved, we’ll recommend a dental implant. They’re the best dental treatment for tooth-replacement because they offer so many benefits.
Dental implants look and feel like a natural tooth
They replace the entire tooth (crown and root)
The dentist will match the color of your other teeth
You’ll eat all your favorite foods without discomfort
They last a lifetime
They keep your other teeth stable
Prevent bone loss
The procedure for a dental implant is more involved than simply restoring your damaged tooth. We’ll have to remove the tooth, take care of gum disease if need be, and place your implant during surgery.
Your favorite foods may taste delicious, but they’re having an impact on your breath. Along with a healthy smile, fresh breath is the key to self-confidence and demonstrates positive oral health. If you regularly suffer from bad breath, it could be from the foods you consume.
Before we get into the foods that cause bad breath, there are other causes too. The food you eat may not even be a problem. Other causes could be:
Smoking
Alcohol
Respiratory infections
Poor Oral Hygiene
The causes above are signs that you could be experiencing something more than just bad breath. You could be experiencing Halitosis, a condition where bacteria build up in the mouth due to underlying conditions such as gum disease. Ensure you book a dental check-up at the dentist for further dentist advice.
Let’s take a look further into your diet, and identify whether you eat one of these foods that cause bad breath.
Garlic
Garlic is a very popular ingredient for many people due to its strong odour and flavour. Although, Garlic is absorbed in your bloodstream and spreads odour through to your tongue. Whilst you don’t need to avoid garlic altogether, it isn’t something you should eat in isolation. Ensure garlic residue is cleared from your mouth through brushing and flossing. You can also perform tongue scraping to reduce bacteria build-up.
Onions
Onions are another popular ingredient, however, like garlic, it can spread a bad odour inside your mouth. The sulphuric compounds get absorbed in the bloodstream. Brushing and flossing your tongue and teeth will give the extra protection from the odour.
Coffee
If you’re a fan of coffee, you’re doing more harm to your mouth than good. Caffeine is a savour for many people and helps people start their day, however, it has more repercussions and not just bad breath. Coffee can cause dry mouth and reduce saliva flow, which are triggers for the bad odour to get stronger. Stay hydrated by drinking water regularly as well.
Citrus Fruits
Bad breath occurs when bacteria, the decay of debris from the foods you eat, land on the tongue. You’d be surprised to know that citrus fruits can cause a bad odour in the mouth. Citrus is an acidic property, and an acidic environment thrives on bacteria to cause a bad odour.
Dairy Products
Not all dairy products, but Cheese, in particular, contains amino acids that react to the oral bacteria to develop sulphuric compounds. Sulphuric compounds are sour and make your breath sour. When consuming cheese, either remove the bacteria with a tongue scraper or rinse your mouth to remove the bacteria and particles inside your mouth.
If you avoid these foods as part of your diet, then the problem may be even deeper and could be due to an underlying health condition that can cause it. The dentist is best placed to determine the cause of the bad odour if it doesn’t come from the foods you eat.
Bad breath doesn’t have to be a problem. By making sure the bacteria and acidic particles remain inside your mouth, a bad odour will release when you speak and eat. Therefore, ensure you adopt strong oral hygiene that involves keeping breath fresh by brushing and flossing thoroughly every day.
When your child develops into a teen, a number of oral health issues can arise as the mouth goes through significant changes due to a number of factors.
As they grow more independent, they are making more decisions for themselves and spend more time away from you - which means oral hygiene may start to take a back seat to other activities - school, social events, hobbies. At the same time, hormonal and development changes are occurring. These can all add up to a few different oral health issues we'll explore today.
Puberty Gingivitis
The body starts to produce more estrogen and testosterone as it enters puberty, sending extra blood flow to the gums, which may then swell and be more susceptible to bleeding.
Extensive swelling and bleeding is known as puberty gingivitis, a condition that could progress to periodontitis - the more serious form of gum disease that may lead to tooth and bone loss.
Regular dental exams and cleanings can help reduce bacteria in the mouth and give your dentist the opportunity to check for any oral health conditions or diseases that need treatment.
Hormonal Changes
With the onset of puberty, hormones increase, and the chemistry in the mouth can change, causing more bacteria to form on the teeth and erode enamel, leaving your teen prone to cavities.
Daily dental routines may need to change to help prevent negative impacts from this microbial growth. We may recommend brushing after every meal and using an anti-bacterial mouthwash to help reduce damage to tooth enamel. In addition, teens should remember to floss once daily.
Habits & Lifestyle
Teens lives get busier and they naturally become more independent as they get older. They may sleep in more, stay up later and eat more take-out and junk food than they did as children. That means they’ll need to stay on top of their oral healthcare.
We often recommend teens carry a travel case of dental supplies in their purse or backpack for easy access - a small toothbrush, floss pick, sugarless gum and mini bottle of mouthwash can go a long way to helping them keep their smile white and teeth healthy.
Jaw Development
As your teen’s facial shape changes, their jaw may transform and changes in the mouth may occur. If this leads to problems, your dentist can take X-rays of the jaw and teeth, assess whether treatment is needed and potentially refer your teen to an orthodontist. Braces or procedures on the jaw may be needed to correct bite problems and avoid problems in the future.
There’s never been a good toothache. They’re all painful. Most toothaches cause a dull, nagging discomfort and should be treated promptly by a dentist but are likely not cause for worry. Approximately 92% of healthy people will get at least one cavity that causes a toothache at some point in their lives.
That said, it’s worth pointing out that if a run-of-the-mill toothache is left untreated, the pain can get worse. And damage to the permanent tooth can grow to the point of destroying the tooth, causing an abscess, or leading to gum disease.
So, if you have a dull toothache, don’t panic. But do get it treated by a dentist.
However, if the pain in a tooth is intense or new, it may be a serious issue or lead to other serious problems if not treated, and you should see a dentist right away.
What causes toothache?
Pain in a tooth happens when the very sensitive nerves inside or around a tooth get irritated, which is generally caused by cavities, infection, gum disease, impact trauma (such as from a blow to the face or sports injury),or grinding.
In some (rare) cases, pain in a tooth is actually coming from the jaw. Your dentist will need to determine exactly where the pain is coming from, what’s causing it, and what your treatment options are. Please note: If you believe your pain originates in your jaw, it could be a sign of a serious condition, potentially a fractured bone or even cancer. Please make an appointment with us if you have jaw pain that radiates into your teeth.
Most toothaches can be prevented by regular – and thorough – brushing and flossing, which is why your friendly neighborhood dentist (and mom) keeps reminding you to do that.
7 Signs That a Toothache Needs an Emergency Dentist Right Away
It can be difficult knowing when a toothache warrants emergency dental care. Here are seven signs you should get emergency dental care right away:
The pain is intense, to the point where you cannot chew food or sleep or focus on normal life activities.
The pain lasts more than one or two days or gets progressively worse.
You have a fever and tooth pain together.
One or more teeth becomes loose. (You should see a dentist for any loose teeth, but especially if the looseness is new and also accompanied by new pain.)
The painful tooth is also broken or chipped.
Your gum or jaw is swollen near the painful tooth.
You have trouble breathing or swallowing.
We Are the Toothache Experts in Anchorage
South Anchorage Dental Center is home to a welcoming, calming atmosphere. Our devoted and highly trained dental experts take exceptional care of our patients, whether you’re having a dental emergency or a routine cleaning. When it comes to toothache, we have state-of-the-art dental technology to treat your pain right away and provide a long-lasting solution here in our office, including imaging and extraction equipment. We also offer a dental savings plan that can save you up to 20% off your treatment.
Doctor Brimhall is committed to utilizing the latest techniques and most-effective procedures, giving you confidence that you and your loved ones will always get the best dental care available in Alaska. Our entire team is devoted to your care, and here, your family will always be treated like our family.
