As a young mother, I was reasonably ignorant when raising my firstborn. My biggest regret is that I didn't help her take better care of her teeth. Like many people, I didn't realise the importance of baby teeth, resulting in long-term dental problems. Recently, my daughter got married and some of my tears were for the beautiful, glistening smile she presented to the cameras. Ever since I realised the dental damage I had caused, I had been saving for my daughter to have cosmetic dentistry. The results are remarkable. During the course of this journey, I have learnt a lot about caring for children's teeth and corrective procedures that can be undertaken when issues arise. I am sure many of you would be interested in the latest knowledge and techniques that are available to prevent and repair dental complications. I'm Margret Devlin - thanks for visiting.
Having a toothache is something most people experience in their life. There are different types of toothaches, from a mild, throbbing pain, to an intense sharp pain. There are also many different reasons for a tooth to hurt. Here are some different reasons you might be experiencing tooth pain.
You Have a Cavity
This is an obvious reason to have a toothache, but also one of the most common ones. It is important that you not ignore even mild toothaches, as they are a sign of a cavity that needs to be treated. If you have a cavity early enough, all you will need is a simple filling. This is inexpensive and easy to get done in a single dental visit. However, if you ignore it, that cavity could worsen and lead to an infection, which then might require a root canal.
There is an Infection
Infections are also high up on the list of causes for toothaches. There are different types of infections that vary in how bad they cause pain in your tooth. Some infections spread, so while you experience pain in one tooth initially, you then begin feeling the pain in an entire area of your mouth to where it is hard to pinpoint exactly where it is coming from. Infections could be from severe tooth decay, gum disease, deep tooth infections, or abscessed teeth. The treatment might be antibiotics, root canal, or extraction of the tooth.
Your Enamel May be Thinning
A less known reason to have a toothache is not due to decay or a cavity, but instead to the enamel itself. Your tooth enamel is the layer on top of your tooth. If this enamel starts to wear away, such as from what you eat or drink, it can thin and cause pain in the underlying dentin layer of the teeth. Over time, it can start becoming sensitive and lead to pain when you have cold or hot temperatures. A good way to prevent this is to use toothpaste that helps to protect the enamel of your teeth. You may also need to switch to a sensitive toothpaste.
You Have Been Grinding Your Teeth
Grinding or clenching your teeth is another issue that can affect the comfort of your teeth. If you notice that multiple teeth are hurting when you wake up in the morning, it is likely due to grinding your teeth at night. You might also be clenching your teeth without realizing. It is more common to grind at night while sleeping, and clench during the day when you are distracted or especially stressed out. Mouth guards are available to stop this bad habit.
For more information, contact a local general dentistry.
Share18 February 2016
