Dental Advice for the Sweet Tooth

Hey! I'm Frankie, and welcome to my dental advice blog. I'm a foodie and I love sweet treats, but I also love my teeth! It can be hard to keep your dental health in top condition when you've got a sweet tooth, but it's not impossible. Over the years, I've learned tons of great advice from friends, family members and dentists, and I'd love to share it with you. My blog is here to give you all the tips and tricks you need to stay free of decay and other tooth problems without giving up all your favourite foods and snacks.

Chronic Toothache: 3 Possible Causes

Dentist Blog

A chronic toothache can be extremely uncomfortable. Alongside the feelings of pain and discomfort, toothache can also interfere with your ability to talk, drink and eat. A lot of people assume that a cavity must trigger their chronic toothache. While a cavity might be the cause of your discomfort, there are several other possible causes. Below is a guide to 3 other possible reasons for your chronic toothache:

Receding gums

There are a number of causes of receding gums. These include:

  • Aggressive brushing
  • Misaligned teeth
  • Teeth grinding
  • Poor dental hygiene

As the gums recede, they become painful and may bleed. The reduced gum coverage will also expose the roots of your teeth, leading to increased rates of decay and levels of sensitivity. If your gum disease is not eventually treated, you may develop a chronic toothache. If you notice that your gum are red and sore, you should book an appointment with your dentist. Your dentist will be able to offer treatments such as a medicated mouthwash, which will help to treat the problem. If you have an advanced level of gum disease, your dentist may recommend a gum graft in order to restore your dental health.

Reduced enamel levels

As you age, the enamel on your teeth will naturally become thinner. This is due to the effects of wear and tear and from acids found in food and drink. The level of enamel erosion can be increased if you do not regularly brush and floss your teeth, as this will cause plaque and tartar to build up on the surface on your teeth. Enamel can also be damaged if you brush your teeth in an aggressive manner. As the enamel levels fall, the soft inner part of your teeth called the dentin is exposed. The dentin contains blood vessels and nerves which will transmit pain signals when they are exposed. A dentist will be able to treat this problem by fitting dental crowns over the affected teeth.

Dental abscess

Dental abscesses can develop as your teeth begin to decay and the dentin becomes infected with bacteria. The abscess will create pressure on the nerves within the tooth, triggering intense pain and discomfort. Your dentist will treat a dental abscess by performing a root canal on the infected tooth. During a root canal, the dentist will drill into the tooth to remove the nerve and then cap the tooth to prevent further infection.

If you would like further advice about the causes of a chronic toothache, you should contact a dentist today.

Share

18 June 2017