If you have experienced a toothache before you would know that it can be one of the worst types of pain you could have. Sometimes it can be a sharp pain that interrupts sleep, other times it can be a dull, persistent pain. Below are some of the main reasons you might be experiencing a toothache.
5 Causes of Toothaches
1. A cavity- essentially a hole in your tooth
The outer layer of a tooth is a hard layer called enamel, the inner layer is dentin which is softer. Underneath dentin are the nerve and blood vessels. If the outer layer gets broken down by bacteria feeding on tooth structure, bacteria can leak into the insides of the tooth and cause a toothache. This is when a cavity occurs. As the cavity approaches the nerve, it can make teeth become very sensitive to hot or cold and cause pain. If not treated early on by doing a filling, a cavity can get larger and a root canal or extraction might be needed. This is why going to the dentist routinely is important to prevent extensive decay.
2. Bite
If you received a filling and it gave you pain afterwards, you may have been biting high on the filling and placing pressure on the one tooth instead of evenly distributing it over all the teeth. If your teeth are shifting, this can also cause tooth-related pain. To fix this, the bite would need to be adjusted.
Bruxism is a condition of unconsciously grinding or clenching teeth during the night or in the day. This can lead to pain in the jaw along with headaches and other problems if severe.
3. Sore gums
Food items can sometimes get dislodged under gums especially when eating hard food items. This can be quite painful and it can cause gums to swell up. Having gaps between teeth can cause food to be easily trapped, requiring frequent flossing to avoid discomfort due to trapped food. Having contact between teeth or having teeth that are touching neighboring teeth is necessary.
At times, people can develop severe periodontal disease. A deep cleaning is necessary to ease the pain and rule out periodontal disease as the source of the pain.
4. Cracked teeth
A cracked tooth can be another source of pain. It can be on an older filling and crack lines might be where the filling is on natural tooth. If the crack is small, it can be removed and a filling can be done to fix it but if it is large, a larger filling might be needed or the tooth may need to be extracted.
5. Wisdom teeth
You have probably heard of someone having a toothache from their wisdom teeth. Wisdom teeth sometimes come out straight and feel like the other molars, causing no pain or discomfort. Other times they are hidden under the gums and can be coming out sideways, impacting the tooth next to it. This can cause a lot of problems in the future. Wisdom teeth can even cause jaw pain on either or both sides and might require the dentist to provide a referral to an oral surgeon to remove wisdom teeth.
A toothache could be an underlying issue of something severe. An oral exam or deep cleaning could be the key to relieving your pain and discomfort from a toothache. If you’re experiencing discomfort, contact Roseman Dental to schedule an appointment.
Tanisha Khurana DMD Candidate Class of 2023
Roseman University College of Dental Medicine
ASDA Chapter Fundraising Chair
Pediatric Club Outreach Coordinator
Straight teeth are healthy teeth. When your teeth are properly aligned, they are easier to keep clean with brushing and flossing and may assist in preventing other health problems. A beautiful, straight smile also helps build confidence. As a parent you may be asking yourself, how do I know if my child needs braces and if my child needs braces, when should they first see the orthodontist.
Braces or No Braces
Each child is different based on their dental needs. It’s best to consult with your dentist to determine if you should schedule an appointment with an orthodontist. Some signs that could indicate that your child needs braces include:
Early, late or irregular loss of baby teeth
Difficulty in chewing or biting
Thumb or finger sucking
Crowded, misplaced or blocked-out teeth
Teeth that meet abnormally or not at all
Teeth grinding or clenching
Facial imbalance or asymmetry
Protruding teeth
Cheek biting or biting into the roof of the mouth
Difficulty speaking
Jaws that make sounds, shift, protrude or are recessed
Mouth breathing
Poor dental hygiene or nutrition
Ideal Age for Braces
The age at which your child gets their braces ranges between 9 to 14 years old depending on your child’s needs. The American Academy of Orthodontist (AAO) recommends children visit an orthodontist for the first time no later than age 7. Orthodontic treatment begins when your child has lost most of his or her baby teeth and most of their adult teeth have grown in. Keep in mind that timing varies with each child. AAO states that “Because patients differ in both physiological development and treatment needs, the orthodontist’s goal is to provide each patient with the most appropriate treatment at the most appropriate time. If you notice any of the signs mentioned above prior to age seven, don’t wait to see the orthodontist. The sooner your child can be seen by an expert, the better. Seeing the orthodontist early on allows the orthodontist to help your child identify oral health problems and address them.
Types of Braces
Orthodontic treatment options include metal braces, ceramic (clear) braces and Invisalign®. To learn more about the types of treatment available, click here.
Cost of Braces
The cost of your child’s braces varies based on the type of braces you select and the dental needs of your child, along with other factors. On average, treatment for children can range from $2000 to $7000. In most cases, dental insurance will help cover some of the cost depending on the age of your child.
If your child is experiencing any of the factors that indicate the need for braces or you just want to speak with an Orthodontist, Roseman Dental & Orthodontics (Nevada location only) can help. Schedule a free screening and consultation today.
Welcome to the first issue of Roseman Dental’s Dental 360° monthly e-newsletter. Each month you’ll receive a panoramic view of dental health. Dental health is key to your overall health and here at Roseman Dental, we are dedicated to improving not only your mouth, but your whole self. At our clinic we have an excellent team of licensed dentists, dental residents and students, and dental assistants and hygienists all focused on you and your family’s oral health. We are a one stop shop for all your dental needs and offer dental care at a cost typically lower than what you would find at a traditional dental office. Roseman Dental has been serving its community since 2011 and we look forward to continuing to serve you and your family.
This month is National Children’s Dental Health Month (NCDHM), a month-long national health observance started by the American Dental Association (ADA) that is dedicated to promoting the benefits of good oral health to children, their caregivers, teachers and many others. This year’s NCDHM theme is “Water, Nature’s Drink” because this year marks 75 years of water fluoridation.
Water Fluoridation
Water Fluoridation is the addition of fluoride to drinking water to increase the natural fluoride level up to the recommended level that helps prevent cavities. Almost 75 percent of the U.S. population is served by fluoridated community water systems as of 2012. According to the ADA, more than 70 years of research has consistently shown that an optimal level of fluoride in community water is safe and effective and it prevents tooth decay by at least 25% in both children and adults. Fluoride fights cavities by assisting in rebuilding (remineralizing) weakened tooth enamel and reverses early signs of tooth decay. Did you know that tooth decay remains one of the most common diseases in children? According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) more than 25% of 2- to 5-year-olds have one or more cavities, half of kids 12- to 15-years old have one or more cavities and tooth decay affects two thirds of 16- to 19-year-olds. If you and your family drink tap water, bottled water with fluoride or use fluoride toothpaste, you are helping to prevent cavities. That’s simple to do, right?
There is some controversy over water fluoridation, but the ADA, the United States Public Health Service (USPHS), the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), and the World Health Organization (WHO), among many other national and international organizations, endorse community water fluoridation. In addition, the CDC recognized fluoridation of water as one of the 10 greatest public health achievements of the 20th century.
Too Much Fluoride?
Fluoride is safe and effective when used properly and in the correct doses. It is possible to get too much fluoride; however, typically children are the ones effected when they are exposed to excessive fluoride for an extended period when they are young. This is called dental fluorosis. Because water fluoridation is monitored in the United States, children can get dental fluorosis when they swallow too much fluoride toothpaste. To prevent this from happening, make sure to watch your children when they brush their teeth to ensure that they are spitting the toothpaste out instead of swallowing it.
As we make our way through February, work on teaching your kids the importance of having good oral health. This month’s issue of Dental 360° has articles that can assist you with making oral health fun for your family. If you’re looking for some fun activities centered around NCDHM, download the ADA’s set of activity sheets below.
If you are struggling to make ends meet, don’t sacrifice your oral health. Roseman Dental is offering a $250 Dental Care Voucher through the end of March for new and existing patients. Learn more about it here.
We hope you find Dental 360° helpful and informative. We look forward to connecting with you monthly.
Welcome to the first issue of Roseman Dental’s Dental 360° monthly e-newsletter. Each month you’ll receive a panoramic view of dental health. Dental health is key to your overall health and here at Roseman Dental, we are dedicated to improving not only your mouth, but your whole self. At our clinic we have an excellent team of licensed dentists, orthodontists, orthodontic residents – 30 to be exact, and dental residents all focused on you and your family’s oral health. Roseman Dental has been serving its community since 2009 and is a one stop shop for all your dental needs.
This month is National Children’s Dental Health Month (NCDHM), a month-long national health observance started by the American Dental Association (ADA) that is dedicated to promoting the benefits of good oral health to children, their caregivers, teachers and many others. This year’s NCDHM theme is “Water, Nature’s Drink” because this year marks 75 years of water fluoridation.
Water Fluoridation
Water Fluoridation is the addition of fluoride to drinking water to increase the natural fluoride level up to the recommended level that helps prevent cavities. Almost 75 percent of the U.S. population is served by fluoridated community water systems as of 2012. According to the ADA, more than 70 years of research has consistently shown that an optimal level of fluoride in community water is safe and effective and it prevents tooth decay by at least 25% in both children and adults. Fluoride fights cavities by assisting in rebuilding (remineralizing) weakened tooth enamel and reverses early signs of tooth decay. Did you know that tooth decay remains one of the most common diseases in children? According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) more than 25% of 2- to 5-year-olds have one or more cavities, half of kids 12- to 15-years old have one or more cavities and tooth decay affects two thirds of 16- to 19-year-olds. If you and your family drink tap water, bottled water with fluoride or use fluoride toothpaste, you are helping to prevent cavities. That’s simple to do, right?
There is some controversy over water fluoridation, but the ADA, the United States Public Health Service (USPHS), the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), and the World Health Organization (WHO), among many other national and international organizations, endorse community water fluoridation. In addition, the CDC recognized fluoridation of water as one of the 10 greatest public health achievements of the 20th century.
Too Much Fluoride?
Fluoride is safe and effective when used properly and in the correct doses. It is possible to get too much fluoride; however, typically children are the ones affected when they are exposed to excessive fluoride for an extended period when they are young. This is called dental fluorosis. Because water fluoridation is monitored in the United States, children can get dental fluorosis when they swallow too much fluoride toothpaste. To prevent this from happening, make sure to watch your children when they brush their teeth to ensure that they are spitting the toothpaste out instead of swallowing it.
As we make our way through February, work on teaching your children the importance of having good oral health. This month’s issue of Dental 360° has articles that can assist you with making oral health fun for your family. If you’re looking for some fun activities centered around NCDHM, download the ADA’s set of activity sheets below.
