Located beneath other layers of tissue and topped off with tooth enamel, you wouldn’t think that this inner material could be affected by much—but too frequently, the nerves of our teeth are impacted by an injury, decay, or another problem.

What are the top signs you might need a root canal as the result of these issues?

You Cracked or Chipped Your Tooth

While a crack or a chip in your tooth might not seem like a big deal, the damage could spread farther than you think. People who crack or chip their teeth and don’t seek treatment may eventually need a root canal [1]. If you know you’ve chipped or cracked your tooth, it’s always best to follow up with your dentist to be sure the damage hasn’t extended down into your tooth’s inner chamber.

You Have a Discolored Tooth

One of the tops signs people notice that could mean a root canal is needed is a discolored tooth. When the nerve tissue inside the tooth begins to die or becomes infected, it can cause the tooth to turn a darker color ranging from gray to black. In cases such as these, root canal therapy can typically restore the tooth to its previous color.

Pain or Swelling in Your Face

If your tooth’s inner tissue becomes infected, you may experience pain or swelling that feels like a toothache. This pain won’t go away on its own, and could mean you need a root canal to fully resolve the problem. If left untreated, this pain or swelling can turn into a dental abscess, which is a swollen area of infection around the affected tooth [2].

Uncomfortable Tooth Sensitivity

Some patients who need a root canal will experience mild to severe tooth sensitivity in the affected tooth or teeth. This could be because injury or decay has caused damage that’s extended to the tooth roots, which is causing all the temperatures of the foods you eat and even the air you breathe to reach the center of your tooth, causing discomfort.

Don’t Ignore These Signs!

You should never ignore any signs that something’s wrong with your teeth. A root canal can save your tooth from extraction, but if put off too long, you may not be able to save your tooth [3]. If you’re experiencing any of these signs or symptoms that you might need a root canal, schedule a visit with your dentist as soon as you’re able!

Sources:
1. https://www.aae.org/patients/root-canal-treatment/what-is-a-root-canal/reasons-root-
2. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/tooth-abscess/symptoms-causes/syc-
3. https://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/az-topics/r/root-canals

The post Top Signs You May Need a Root Canal appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

Extensive Tooth Decay

The most common cause of a painful toothache is extensive tooth decay [1]. What this means is that you may have a cavity that’s gotten deep enough to cause discomfort or even an infection. You may or may not be able to see the cavity simply by examining your teeth in the mirror.

For many patients, tooth decay won’t cause symptoms until the cavity has progressed to the point that the nerve tissue becomes involved and potentially infected. Once this happens, you’ll likely need root canal therapy to save your tooth.

Damage to Dental Restorations

Another potential cause of your uncomfortable toothache could be damage to a dental restoration you’ve had done. Think a filling, crown, or dental bridge. You may have caused damage to your filling by eating a hard or sticky food, or your filling could have naturally deteriorated over time (remember, no restoration lasts forever!).

If your dental restoration is causing your tooth pain, your dentist will simply need to repair the affected tooth with a new restoration for you to begin feeling better!

A Cracked Tooth

Cracked teeth aren’t always obvious when they happen. For some, the pain and sensation of injuring a tooth to the point that it fractures will be obvious. For others, the crack won’t become apparent until pain or discomfort appears down the road.

One common symptom of a cracked tooth is pain that comes and goes when eating hot or cold foods [2]. If a cracked tooth is left untreated for long enough, it could affect the nerves of the teeth and require root canal therapy to fix.

Other Potential Causes of Tooth Pain

There are other causes of tooth pain, including a bruised tooth, which can happen when biting down on hard foods or another injury. A bruised tooth happens when the connective tissue that helps hold your tooth in place is essentially bruised and becomes inflamed due to injury.

Some people could also experience aching teeth from a sinus infection, teeth grinding, or an impacted wisdom tooth [3]. The only way to identify the root cause of your toothache is by visiting your dentist for a professional exam.

Don’t Ignore a Toothache!

Toothaches rarely go away on their own. Typically, whatever is causing the toothache will continue to get worse until it’s treated. By visiting your local dentist, you can help uncover the cause and receive treatment before it’s too late to save your tooth!

Sources:
1. https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/003067.htm
2. https://www.aae.org/patients/dental-symptoms/cracked-teeth/
3. https://www.healthlinkbc.ca/health-topics/tooth

The post Top Causes for a Painful Toothache appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

If you’re experiencing symptoms of a toothache, you may have pain accompanied by a
persistent bad taste in your mouth, swelling in your face or gum tissue, and even a fever. These
are all signs and symptoms that you need to see a dentist as soon as possible.

Here are a few potential causes of your painful toothache that your dentist can evaluate your
smile for!

Tooth Decay

Tooth decay that has progressed to the point of a tooth infection is one of the primary reasons
people have toothaches. According to the American Dental Association, tooth decay can also
cause teeth to be sensitive and react to hot and cold foods and beverages and even cold air [1].

Unfortunately many people don’t realize they have a cavity until it has progressed to the point
of pain. Getting your tooth pain addressed as quickly as possible can eliminate the need for an
extraction and save your tooth!

Teeth Grinding

Teeth grinding—also referred to as bruxism—can put immense pressure on teeth that can lead
to aching. Most people who suffer from bruxism grind their teeth while asleep and are unaware
they have this habit.

If you’re consistently grinding your teeth, you could be experiencing painful aching as the result
of the additional stress on your teeth, which can cause tooth fractures, inflamed gum tissue,
and rapid tooth wear [2]. There is treatment for bruxism to curb the damage and alleviate your
pain!

Gum Disease

Periodontal disease, or gum disease, can cause teeth to ache. If gum disease progresses to the
point that it causes an active infection in the mouth, your gum tissue may contain pockets of
infection around your tooth roots that can lead to painful teeth and sore gums.

Gum disease is common in American adults; however, the earlier you catch the disease, the
easier it is to treat, so don’t wait to seek help.

Impacted Wisdom Tooth

Wisdom teeth don’t erupt until the teenage years (and sometimes in early adulthood). Wisdom
teeth that are impacted come in at harsh angles, leading them to press against the surrounding
teeth which can cause toothaches that can worsen as the wisdom teeth attempt to emerge.

Only x-rays with your dentist can tell if your wisdom teeth are impacted and need to be
extracted. Wisdom tooth extractions are common and a relatively simple procedure that can
alleviate your toothache and get your smile feeling good again in no time!

Oral Cancer

Pain in the mouth is also associated with oral cancer and may masquerade as a toothache.
Some of the symptoms of a tooth infection and oral cancer can overlap, such as having a lump
in the mouth, swelling, or trouble swallowing [3]. Your dentist can conduct an oral cancer
screening during your exam to determine if you should be evaluated further for oral cancer.

See Your Dentist!

Whether your toothache is being caused by a simple cavity or a complex case of gum disease,
it’s never wise to ignore pain. Your dentist can tell what’s going on and work with you to
effectively treat the root cause of your toothache so that you can feel better as soon as
possible!

Sources:
1. https://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/az-topics/s/sensitive-teeth
2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4761372/
3. https://www.cancer.org/cancer/oral-cavity-and-oropharyngeal-cancer/detection-diagnosis-staging/signs-symptoms.html

The post What Could Be Causing That Painful Toothache? appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

Whether you’re traveling abroad this summer or are just going on a nearby weekend getaway with friends, here’s what to do if you’re experiencing a dental emergency while you’re away.

Toothache

If you have a toothache while flying, don’t panic. For people who may have a cavity, a damaged filling, or a crack in their teeth, the changes in air pressure can make the affected area expand and cause pain or discomfort. Your toothache should go away after landing, but be sure to follow up with your dentist when you return home.

If you have a toothache and haven’t flown anywhere—or if the toothache from your flight
hasn’t gone away—you can try to alleviate your pain by rinsing gently with warm salt water, carefully flossing your teeth, or applying a cold compress to the affected area. You should never ignore a toothache, especially if the pain is severe, so your dentist as soon as you’re able, and find one while you’re traveling if you can!

Cracked or Chipped Tooth

If you crack or chip a tooth during your vacation, it’s important to find a dentist who can assess the problem, especially if you’re experiencing pain as a result of your injury. Your hotel concierge may be able to recommend a local dentist, or if you need to, go to the emergency room to address the problem.

Knocked-Out Tooth

A knocked-out tooth will require immediate attention, so find a dentist if you can, but visit the emergency room if you cannot. If the tooth is in one piece, you can hold it gently by the crown and attempt to keep it in its socket until you can receive medical attention. If your tooth is in fragments, gather up all the pieces if you can and store them in saliva or milk until you can see a dentist.

Restorative Dentistry Issue

Whether it’s a filling that’s fallen out or broken dentures, it’s common for restorative dentistry issues to crop up, especially if you haven’t seen the dentist in a while and your restoration is in need of repair. You may be able to get help from a local dentist for a temporary fix until you can see your regular dentist at home. If you’re traveling abroad, you may be able to ask your insurance company for dentists that you can see.

Be Prepared!

Your best bet for a dental emergency is to be prepared. Go in for a checkup before your trip. Consider getting dental insurance if you’re going abroad. Travel with everything you know you need to maintain your smile. You can also be extra prepared and keep a list of dentists in your bag, whether you’re going somewhere locally or outside the country. This can save you precious time if you’re experiencing a severe toothache or a knocked-out tooth!

Dealing with an emergency is never at the top of anyone’s fun list, but being prepared while you’re traveling can make all the difference. Know where to go if you need help. Keep items you know you’ll need with you. Keep these tips in mind if a dental emergency happens while you’re on your vacation!

The post Dental Emergency While Traveling? Here’s What to Do appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

Garlic

One reliable treatment for oral pain is garlic. Garlic is especially helpful for tooth abscesses. Garlic can inhibit the growth of bacteria, thus easing the pain of the infection. You can put one or two cloves in your mouth and chew them. You can also create a paste by mashing a clove and adding a little salt. This treatment of using garlic for tooth abscess is effective, but it is also unpleasant for people who dislike the smell and taste of garlic. Don’t be surprised if you have to put up with a few vampire jokes.

Warm Salt Water

Warm salt water helps pain all around the mouth. It is especially useful for cavities because it slows decay. For the best results, mix one-half teaspoon of salt and eight ounces of warm water. Swish it around your mouth, focusing on the area where the pain is worst. After about thirty minutes, spit the water out. Do not swallow the salt water as that may make you sick to your stomach. Remember that the water should be warm so that it soothes and relieves, not so hot that it burns the inside of your mouth.

Clove Oil

Clove oil is a remedy that numbs pain for about thirty minutes. You can wash your hands, stick your clean finger in the clove oil, and gently rub it into the sore area. You can also soak some cotton balls in the oil and place the cotton balls into your mouth until you feel the sore spot start to go numb.

Hydrogen Peroxide

Hydrogen peroxide works best if the pain is the result of a bacterial infection. It doesn't just wash the bacteria away like some remedies – it attacks it and kills it. To treat oral pain, buy a three percent solution. Swish the solution around in your mouth for about thirty seconds. Then spit out the solution and rinse your mouth thoroughly with water. Do not repeat the treatment more than two times in 24 hours.

Ice

An ice pack is one of the easiest ways to ease an aching tooth, though its effects are short lasting. The best method is to put a cube of ice in a plastic bag. You may want to crush the cube so you don’t have to endure sharp edges. Wrap a piece of thin cloth around the plastic bag. Press the ice against the hurting tooth for about 15 minutes until the numbness sets in. Alternatively, press the ice pack against your cheek. You can repeat this treatment as often as you need to.

Bourbon

Bourbon, like any other kind of alcohol can cause temporary numbness. Pour a small amount of bourbon onto a cotton ball and place it against your hurting tooth. The relief lasts only until the alcohol evaporates. This absolutely is not a remedy for babies or young children. Even the smallest amount of alcohol can lead to nausea, vomiting and seizures. Of course, it's also never a good idea to dry to drink away your misery. Drinking alcohol does not decrease the pain and drinking too much can lead to addiction and other illnesses.

Conclusion

A toothache can make you absolutely miserable. It often disrupts sleep and causes problems at work as well. Of course, the best thing to do is to see a dentist right away. Most dentists are willing to squeeze you in for emergency care. Until you can see your dentist, thought, the remedies described above can help soothe your teeth and gums.

Author Mike Jones is passionate about natural living and alternative treatments. Mike tries to find new ways to treat himself with herbs and plants.

The post Natural Remedies to Help Soothe a Toothache appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

Infected Tooth or Gums

As tooth decay progresses, it can destroy the layers of our teeth to reach the inner tooth pulp that helps keep our tooth alive. Once the pulp becomes infected, it can be extremely painful. Although your dentist may be able to save your tooth with a root canal, the infection could warrant a tooth removal if it’s advanced.

You could also have advanced gum disease, which may be creating an infection in your gums and in turn, making your teeth hurt. Gum disease can attack the ligaments that keep our teeth connected to our jaw, therefore leading to loose teeth and toothaches. If you’re experiencing a foul taste in your mouth along with pain, get yourself to a dentist as soon as possible!

Bruxism

Bruxism, also known as teeth grinding, is extremely damaging to teeth. It puts a huge amount of pressure on your pearly whites and cause injury to the teeth, such as cracks or chips. Bruxism is also a common reason that teeth ache or hurt, especially during times of stress or upon first waking in the morning.

If you believe you’re experiencing tooth grinding, schedule an appointment with your dentist. Although this isn’t a dental emergency, the sooner you can get yourself to the dentist, the less damage your teeth will accrue.

Injury

If you’ve received an injury to your mouth or face that’s resulted in a knocked-out or broken tooth, this is a dental emergency and you need to get to a dentist or the emergency room as soon as possible. If you’ve had an injury that’s not resulted in a direct impact to your teeth but is still resulting in a toothache, schedule an appointment with your dentist as soon as you’re able. He or she can take x-rays to determine if there’s any damage to your jaw.

Decay

Tooth decay can get severe enough to cause an infection, but it doesn’t have to get to that point in order for it to cause pain. Even advanced cavities that have not yet reached the tooth pulp can still cause toothaches. The sooner you see a dentist, the better!

Dry Socket

If you’ve recently had a tooth extracted such as from wisdom tooth removal, you’re at risk to develop dry socket. This happens when the blood clot that has formed over the empty tooth socket to protect it and help it heal has been dislodged. Dry socket exposes your jaw bone to air, food, and bacteria. This can be extremely painful and should be seen by a dentist immediately. Fortunately, dry socket affects less than 10% of people who get a tooth removed.

Are you experiencing a toothache? Don’t let the pain go on for days or even weeks. Dentists are trained to quickly identify the problem and effectively treat your pain. Whether you have an injury, cavity, or infection, your dentist can help!

The post Is a Toothache Really That Serious? appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

Getting a professional teeth cleaning not only looks and feels great, but has other important purposes. When we brush and floss regularly, we’re doing our teeth a huge favor. However, people are not expert tooth cleaners. Tight spaces or areas behind teeth often get missed during brushing. A professional cleaning can remove plaque or tartar in these areas while your dentist can let you know how to brush better. Getting a professional cleaning also regularly removes surface stains, helping your teeth remain whiter!

Evaluate Gum Health

Our gums are instrumental in keeping our teeth and their roots healthy. However, gum problems tend to be sneaky. Gums that are slightly red, irritated, or puffy could be indicative of gum disease. Your dentist can closely inspect your gums to determine if any signs of gum disease are present. Gum recession is often only noticeable after tooth sensitivity occurs around your roots. Visiting your dentist can ensure gums are doing their job and not experiencing any problems.

Oral Cancer Screening

Many dentists now conduct an oral cancer screening during your routine exam. This means your dentist will feel around your face, neck, and jaw to identify any unusual growths. The inside of your mouth will also be checked for persistent sores or discoloration. Early detection can help save your life when it comes to oral cancer, so don’t skip this important screening even if you feel fine!

Check for Cavities

Tooth decay has a tricky way of developing when we’re unaware of it. Often people go to the dentist to find that they have several cavities that they didn’t know about! Your dentist is an expert at looking for cavities. Small cavities are easy to fill, while large cavities could compromise your entire tooth. Get regular checkups to monitor any existing tooth decay and check for new cavities.

Talk about Concerns

Your dentist is a professional. Bring your oral health concerns with you to the office—talking to your dentist about any symptoms or concerns you have gives you peace of mind and the best care. While searching on the Internet is a popular alternative, talking to a real dentist about your specific smile always yields more accurate advice!

Just because your teeth look and feel okay doesn’t mean you should skip the dentist office. Don’t wait until you have problems to go—schedule routine visits at least once a year with your local dentist. He or she can let you know whether or not you need to come more often. Take great care of your smile for life with regular checkups!

The post My Teeth Look and Feel Fine. Do I Need a Checkup? appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

Tooth Decay

Tooth decay happens when plaque builds up on your teeth over time, hardening into a substance calledtartar. Plaque happens from lack of brushing, improper brushing, or eating foods that disrupt the balance of bacteria in the mouth, including sugary foods and corrosive drinks such as alcohol and soda. Over time, plaque destroys your tooth enamel, which is the protective shiny outer surface of your teeth.

Once the enamel is gone, it cannot be replaced. Loss of enamel allows bacteria to have access to your tooth’s roots, which can be very painful. Your toothache could mean you have tooth decay or a cavity, which is a minor form of tooth decay that can turn into a bigger problem if left untreated. The treatment for tooth decay may involve fluoride, crowns, a root canal, extractions, or fillings, depending on how extensive the damage to your teeth has been.

Bruxism (Teeth Grinding)

Your toothache may be caused by bruxism, or teeth grinding. You may not be conscious of this, or it may happen during your sleep. Teeth grinding can be very damaging to your smile, as the intense pressure put on the teeth can lead to fractures, cracks, or even inflammation and exposed roots. Your dentist can tell if you grind your teeth. There are nightly mouthguards you can wear to help during your sleeping hours, or you may even have an improper bite, which could also cause bruxism. You can get treatment for this through your dentist. Another remedy for bruxism is simply being conscious of the fact that you’re doing it. Many people grind their teeth out of irritation or stress, so be aware when you’re feeling these things. Reducing stress in your life can help your smile!

Infection

An infection can cause a bad taste in your mouth along with your toothache. An infection could happen from an abscessed tooth, which is when your tooth root is infected (generally as a result of decay), or from infected gums, which is likely a sign of gingivitis or gum disease. For abscessed teeth, your dentist will likely need to perform a root canal procedure, which involves cleaning the infection from your tooth’s root and sealing up the canal. For gingivitis or gum disease, your dentist will need to begin with a deep cleaning in an attempt to halt the process and reestablish the healthy relationship between the gums and teeth. This deep cleaning may be sufficient or you may require more extensive treatment, depending on your unique oral hygiene.

Getting regular checkups with your dentist is vital to good health as your dentist can spot problems well before they happen. Once a disease process such as gum disease or tooth decay has begun, it can be difficult to reverse. Adopt proper oral hygiene habits, and visit your dentist regularly to prevent toothaches!

The post Causes and Treatments for Regular Toothaches appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

Over the counter toothache medications can give quick relief, but usually the pain returns very soon. These are topical medicines that simply numb the area where you are feeling the pain, and while they can provide complete relief for a few minutes, frequent reapplication would be needed to keep the pain away for any length of time.

Pain relieving medications that you take for headaches can also work for toothache pain. These medications work by blocking your body’s response to pain, and they are able to lessen or prevent pain temporarily anywhere in your body. If you choose to take a pain medication for a toothache, take it as soon as possible when you start to feel the pain, because the preventative action of these medications is often more effective than their ability to stop pain that is already severe.

There are many so-called home remedies for toothache pain that are actually known to be effective. Rinsing with a mixture of salt water and peroxide cleans your mouth and can provide some relief, and using an ice pack or even a bag of frozen vegetables to numb the area can dull the pain. A warm teabag on the painful area can soothe your gums and reduce swelling. An old remedy involves chewing on a garlic clove for toothache pain. If this is unappealing, you can substitute with garlic oil on a cotton ball and place it near the affected tooth.

The most common cause of toothache is infection, which is caused by the buildup of bacteria. Good oral hygiene practices that include brushing twice a day and flossing at least once a day can greatly reduce the occurrence of toothaches. You should see the dentist for checkups twice a year so that problems can be corrected as soon as they arise.

The post Fast Relief for Painful Toothaches appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

Enamel, the hardest substance in the body, covers the crowns of teeth while cementum, a bony material that helps attach teeth to the supporting bone, covers the root. When protective enamel or cementum covering the dentin is lost due to tooth decay, over-brushing or periodontal disease, your dentin will become exposed. As a result, microscopic tubules present in dentin conduct thermal stimuli from the exposed surface into the pulp, triggering a painful response.

Enamel is most commonly affected by caries and cementum by aggressive brushing, made worse if combined with constant exposure to very acidic foods or drinks. Proper oral hygiene is an important step in reducing the chance of developing hypersensitivity. If teeth are brushed too aggressively, brushed with a hard brush or brushed with unpolished bristle tips, recession of protective gum tissue may be caused.

Periodontal disease, or gum disease, is also a leading cause of hypersensitivity. When gums and bone that support the teeth are affected, bacteria growth can live in untreated areas between the teeth and gums and aid in recession. Regular dental checkups are vital in identifying and treating these problems before they become serious.

Sensitive teeth can be successfully treated by use of over-the-counter desensitizing toothpastes, but improvement is typically gradual and can take as long as 6 weeks to show changes. In some cases, eliminating highly acidic foods or drinks in your diet may greatly reduce the problem. Exposure to foods or drinks that have a particularly low pH should be reduced or eliminated, especially if imbibed between meals. Adding lemon to beverages, wine (especially white), apples, grapefruits, pineapples, athletic drinks and soft drinks can be especially detrimental.

If using desensitizing toothpaste or eliminating acidic foods and drinks does not work, application of a fluoride-containing gel may be an option. This may be done by a dentist, however take-home versions may also be prescribed. Always follow suggested precautions as swallowing products high in fluoride are hazardous. Depending on your individual needs, dentists may also recommend a gum graft, filling, crown or in rare cases endodontic treatment (root canal).

Teeth sensitivity is a highly unpleasant experience, but it does not have to be permanent. With minimal effort, relief can be found by a small change in habits or seeking assistance from a professional who can help.

The post Sensitive Teeth: Causes and Treatment appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.