Infection or Decay

Tooth infections can happen when decay or trauma goes untreated and bacteria gets into the root of your tooth, which contains all the nerve tissue that keeps your tooth alive. When bacteria enter your tooth root, an infection can make the tooth die inside and may even progress to the jaw bone.

If you suspect you have a tooth infection, make an appointment with your dentist as soon as possible. The sooner you get your infection addressed, the better chance you have of saving your tooth!

Sensitive Teeth

If your teeth feel like they’re aching from the inside out, you might be experiencing a case of severe tooth sensitivity. Tooth sensitivity is caused when the tooth enamel is
compromised—whether due to over-brushing, decay, or bacteria—and temperatures reach the center of the tooth and can cause pain.

For some people who experience tooth sensitivity, their pain may linger long after they’ve eaten the offending food, leading them to wonder if something else is going on. Sensitive teeth can be treated with help from your professional dentist, so don’t wait to seek help.

Bruxism

Teeth grinding—also called bruxism—is a cause of toothaches. You may be grinding your teeth while asleep and be unaware of this dangerous habit, but during the day, your teeth may ache.
Bruxism is extremely harmful to your smile and can cause immense stress on the teeth as well as the tooth roots, making your teeth more likely to fracture and become sensitive and your gum tissue more likely to be inflamed.

A mouthguard or relaxation techniques can help you conquer bruxism and stop your perpetual toothache!

Trauma to the Tooth

If you’ve experienced any type of trauma to your tooth, such as an accident, a chip or a crack, or even tooth decay, the tooth may respond by causing pain.

Tooth trauma can take many forms, but it should always be checked out by a dentist. Even though a chip or a crack can seem minor, it has the potential to allow bacteria to enter your tooth’s nerve, therefore causing pain and even an infection that could compromise your tooth.

Impacted Wisdom Teeth

Impacted wisdom teeth happen when the third molars don’t have enough room to erupt in the mouth, which can cause them to push against the other teeth and cause pain. Typically, impacted wisdom teeth will need to be removed by an oral surgeon, so don’t delay in getting them evaluated if you’re having pain in the back of your mouth!

If you’re having a toothache, getting it addressed sooner rather than later is always a good idea. The longer you wait to have your tooth pain addressed, the higher the chances that your tooth will need to be removed. Regular checkups can help you avoid a toothache, so don’t wait to talk to your dentist!

The post What Are the Causes of Toothaches? appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

Trauma to the Tooth

If one of your teeth has experienced any type of trauma, this could be the cause for its
discoloration. This trauma could include getting into an accident whether as a child or as an
adult, such as a car accident or falling and injuring your mouth.

When your tooth is injured, bleeding can happen inside the tooth. Bleeding will often cause a
bluish-gray tinge to the tooth, almost like a bruise. However, bleeding can also cause a tooth to
become brown or yellow. As a result of the trauma, your tooth’s root may die. When the root
dies, this can lead to a brown or gray appearance that sticks out from the other teeth.

Staining from Food or Medicine

We know that certain foods and drinks have the ability to stain our teeth. Whether it’s from
harmful behaviors such as tobacco use or from drinking coffee and wine, some teeth may be
more resistant to staining than others. Enamel is porous and while it can help protect teeth
from staining when it’s strong, it could be the cause for staining when it’s weak.

Medicine could also be the cause of your tooth’s different color. Some people who were given
antibiotics as a child—or people who have a mother that took them while pregnant—may have
a tooth or two that appears gray. This usually happens before the permanent teeth come in and
is something your dentist can help evaluate.

Tooth Decay

It’s not easy to spot cavities if you don’t go to the dentist regularly. Many people don’t realize
they have a cavity until it’s too late. Tooth decay can progress to the point that it eats through
the softer tissues of your teeth and eventually sabotages your tooth’s root. When this happens,
the root dies and an infection can ensue.

People who have a dead tooth root commonly experience discoloration in that tooth. This
discoloration may go away with root canal therapy, in which all the dead tissue is removed and
the tooth is properly sealed up. Your dentist can evaluate if your tooth decay has caused your
discoloration and if a root canal can help fix it!

When it comes to discolored teeth, considering the causes will help you find your best form of
treatment. Although a professional whitening can fix some of these problems, most often the
root cause will need to be fixed. This may mean receiving root canal therapy or fixing the
problem so your tooth color can return to normal. Addressing the cause of your tooth
discoloration can help return your smile to normal!

The post Why Has One of My Teeth Become Discolored? appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

Teeth Whitening

Teeth whitening can help your tooth return to its original color, but you shouldn’t start whitening your teeth without first getting the tooth evaluated by your dentist. This is because the inner pulp of your tooth may actually be dead and need to be removed. What this means is that you’ll need a root canal. During your visit, your dentist can perform some tests on your tooth to determine if the root is still alive. If it is, your dentist might suggest waiting another few weeks or months to see if the color comes back on its own. If your tooth continues to be dark or become darker, you can then talk with your dentist about getting a professional whitening done to help restore your appearance.

Root Canal

If the root of your tooth is dead, removing the affected pulp that’s been stained may help reverse the darkening of your tooth. This is because removing the stained area inside your tooth will help the tooth naturally become whiter. However, you’ll only need a root canal if your tooth is actually dead. Any inner pulp that’s dead or infected should be removed by an experienced dentist or in some cases, an endodontist (a dentist who specializes in root canals). Your tooth may die after the injury and require a root canal before any whitening can be done. Fortunately, whitening may not even be necessary once the affected tooth is successfully treated with a root canal!

Crown or Veneer

If your tooth is still alive but it doesn’t return to its normal color in six months, a crown or veneer may be needed to help restore your tooth’s color. Porcelain or ceramic crowns and veneers can help cover your tooth and normalize its appearance. After you receive either a crown or veneer, your tooth will be indistinguishable from the other teeth in your mouth. You may not need any cosmetic dentistry done if a root canal or whitening can be done in its place.

Talk with your dentist about what your treatment options are for an injured tooth that’s suddenly turned gray. A simple whitening could help your darkened tooth, or maybe a root canal is needed to relieve any infection and restore your tooth’s color. Regardless of how your tooth got injured, trust a professional dentist to help you get your smile back!

The post Treatment Options for Tooth Discoloration after Trauma appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

As we age, we’re more at risk to develop gum disease, or periodontal disease. The elderly population has the highest rates of gum disease, and this could be so for many reasons. One of the reasons is that gum disease is often not noticeable until it’s too late to reverse—this is especially true if you smoke, which can constrict blood vessels in the mouth and inhibit the signs and symptoms of gum disease from appearing.

These symptoms include red and swollen gums, bleeding while brushing, and tooth sensitivity. Gum disease will eventually begin to affect your tooth’s roots. Our teeth need firm, healthy gums to support them. When your gums and the connective tissues that support your teeth are compromised, teeth can become loose and fall out.

Poor Oral Hygiene Habits

Taking the best care of our teeth starts early in life and continues throughout our lives. While occasionally skipping nightly brushing likely won’t have a huge impact on your smile, years of doing this can cause bacteria to accumulate at an accelerated pace. These bad bacteria in your mouth can lead to enamel erosion, cavities, tooth decay, and gum disease.

As we age, we’re more prone to lose teeth if we’ve been neglecting brushing or flossing on a regular basis. Dental checkups are a big part of this picture—your dentist can spot areas you’re regularly missing and remove built-up plaque during your visit. When we neglect our dental health, we’re setting ourselves up for tooth loss later in life!

Trauma or Disease

Another big reason that so many adults are missing teeth is due to trauma. These types of trauma generally come in the form of accidents—a car accident, a contact sport foul play, an injury. Although accidents can be unavoidable, it’s essential to visit your dentist after the trauma to ensure your teeth are healthy and to repair any broken or chipped teeth or to replace missing ones.

Illness can also lead to tooth loss. Chronic disease requires that many patients be on medication, and many medications can lead to dry mouth. When your mouth produces less saliva, your teeth are not as well protected. This generally leads to overgrowth of bad bacteria and enamel erosion that can lead to tooth decay. Talk with your dentist about how your medication may be affecting your smile!

It’s important to remember that your teeth are part of your mouth for life, so taking care of them is crucial to retain them! Without the proper care, tooth decay and gum disease make tooth loss a very real possibility. Visit your dentist to ensure your teeth are healthy, and always visit your dentist after any trauma to your mouth. You can protect your teeth for life and prevent tooth loss by doing so!

Image courtesy of StockImages at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

The post Why Do We Lose Our Teeth as We Age? appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

Why May a Damaged Tooth Turn Black or Gray?

Much like other parts of your body, your teeth can bleed internally after an injury. The blood leaks in through the dental nerves and discolors the pulp of the tooth. The cause of tooth discoloration is usually due to blood getting into the pulp of the tooth. Darkening can continue over several days, weeks, or even months if allowed unchecked. A damaged tooth, however, doesn’t need to end up becoming a dead tooth. Here is a way that your dentist can help.

Pulp Removal Can Recover Your Tooth

Pulp removal, or a root canal, may actually reverse the color change. Since the pulp of the tooth has become stained, leading to the change in color, removing the dead or damaged pulp can restore your natural brightness. You will want an experienced dentist to carry out this process so that the stained dentin can be carefully removed.

Does My Child Need a Root Canal?

Most of the time, the color will return to a child’s tooth within a few days. If this does not occur, it is a good idea to see an endodontist. If the tooth is not one of the child’s permanent teeth, consideration will be given to whether or not the damage will affect the tooth falling out naturally. If your child already has his or her permanent teeth, a root canal may save them from the embarrassment of a dead tooth.

Pearly Whites Despite an Injury

Anyone can fall, get into an accident, or in some other way end up with a discolored tooth. The secret is not to allow time for the damage to continue and spread. Your dentist can help you to restore your tooth back to its natural color using a root canal.

While a scar may be considered a good conversation piece, a black tooth is not something that anyone wants to have. If you’ve been injured, see if your dentist can fix the problem with a root canal. Before long, you’ll be back to smiling widely for the camera.

The post Tooth Discoloration After Trauma: What’s Next? appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.