How To Deal With Small Dental Problems

February 29, 2016, Langley Dental Practice

How To Deal With Small Dental Problems
How To Deal With Small Dental Problems

Many of us experience different small dental problems and symptoms that can become very serious and they should be treated seriously. Teeth problems can evolve from a simple pain to the loss of teeth, infections and many other problems including diseases of internal organs.

In order to prevent complications and negative results it is essential to go to the dentist if the problem persists more than a week.

There are certain moments when each of us are confronting with a generalized tooth pain whose reasons can be multiple and complex:

  • Chronic tooth grinding also called bruxism happens as a result of the body to stressful situations;
  • Exposed tooth roots to thermal sensitivity;
  • Tooth decay and enamel demineralization;
  •  Eating disorders and chronic acid reflux conditions which dissolve the tooth enamel and erode the tooth structure;
  •  Over bleaching the teeth in order to make them lighter;
  •  Inflammation produced by severe gingivitis or periodontitis;
  •  Orthodontic treatment.

The problems can be split into categories according to the result they generate:

Sharp Pain

If you have all of a sudden pain in one or more of your teeth when biting down, it is possible to have tooth decay or cavities. They are activated by a particular type of bacteria that takes the sugar and converts it into acid. That causes tooth decay or holes in teeth and when they get deep, they produce the sensitivity. If the pain is consistent and it lasts more than a week, you should visit the dentist.

Achy Pain

A throbbing or achy pain may be ok if it lasts only several days. If it lasts more than a week may be a sign of grinding or clenching the teeth. A night guard can be the solution.

If the pain is accompanied by swollen gums or glands the problem can be an abscessed tooth with a root infection.

Yellow Or Stained Teeth

The stains appear because of coffee, tea, wine or other staining liquids. The solution is to use whitening toothpastes. It is also possible to appear brown stains as a result of consuming antibiotics or other medications.

Loose Or Crooked Teeth

If the teeth are loose or crooked or fall out you are probably suffering from periodontal disease which cause bone loss around the teeth and jaw.

This disease appear because of an inappropriate cleaning of the teeth. Bacteria form a plaque that harden into tartar that spread into the gums and bones around the mouth. You should brush your teeth twice a day, floss them daily and get them cleaned twice per year by a dentist.

Bleeding, Red Or Swollen Gums

This problem can be caused by pregnancy or hormonal changes or by bacterial buildup. If the problem persists more than a week it can be a sign of periodontal disease.

Sores In The Mouth

Soreness are generally the result of eating too much citrus, spicy fare or hot foods. It the problem persists it can be caused by vitamin A deficiency. Vitamin A is essential for collagen and connective tissues and it can be found in sweet potatoes, spinach, carrots.

Gum Pain

If the gums or sides of the teeth hurt when breathing cold air, or drink hot or cold liquids, the problem can be caused by a cavity or the exposure of the teeth’ roots if the gums have drawn back. The problem can be also caused by a bacteria or by clenching or grinding the teeth or brushing them very hard.

It is also possible to appear red or white spots because of an irritation caused by food, drugs or unfitted dentures or mouth guards. If the problem persists more than a week you should visit the dentist.

Sensitive Teeth 

Teeth sensitivity is one of the most common problems. If eating an ice cream or drinking hot liquids are translated into painful experiences, then you are dealing with sensitive teeth. The causes of this problem can be:

  • Tooth decay (cavities)
  • Fractured teeth
  • Worn fillings
  • Gum disease
  • Worn tooth enamel
  • Exposed tooth root

The process occur when the dentin loses its protective layer of enamel, which protects the crowns of the teeth above the gum line, and layer of cementum, which protects the tooth root.

Dentin is less dense than enamel and cementum and contains microscopic tubules which allow heat, cold or acidic foods to reach the nerves and cells inside the tooth and then appears the hypersensitivity.

There are different type of sensitivity:

1.Sensitivity to heat

Tooth bacteria inside of the tooth get inside through a crack, a large cavity or a leaking dental restoration like a filling or crown. Bacteria produce gas as part of their life process and the gas heats the tooth and cannot freely expand so the pressure increases and is applied to the nerve tissue and results in pain.

The diagnosis is generally irreversible pulpitis (inflammation) or an infection called abscess.

2.Sensitivity to sweets

Candy, soda drinks, fruit juices, sauces, toothpastes and other products that contain sugar cause fluid move out of the tooth when interacting with exposed tooth dentin.

The concentration inside and outside the teeth is different and the fluid movement produces a pressure change on nerves inside the tooth that results in pain. The problem can be gingival recession, receding gums, chips in the teeth, cracks, attrition, failing dental restorations and tooth decay or caries.

3.Sensitivity to cold

The basic problem is the same: the exposed dentin and the fluid that moves freely within the tooth structure. Exposed dentin can be caused by chips, cracks, gingival recession and tooth wear.

These problems can be also caused by chronic clenching or grinding. Teeth become chronically inflamed from habitual bruxism and the tolerance to cold becomes lower.

It is extremely important to discover the cause of the sensitivity in order to apply the proper treatment:

  • Desensitizing toothpaste contains elements that block the transmission of sensation from the tooth surface to the nerve.
  • Fluoride gel strengthens tooth enamel and diminish the transmission of sensation.
  • A crown, inlay or bonding are used to correct a flaw or tooth decay.
  • Surgical gum graft help to protect the root and to diminish the sensitivity.
  • Root canal is another option to diminish the sensitivity of the teeth. It is used in case of persistent and serious pain.

 

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