PAIN

"Ignore your teeth and they'll go away" is an old slogan in dentistry that is unfortunately very true. Dental problems are without symptoms for a very long time, so waiting until "something hurts" is a very unwise choice. Once the tooth has decayed badly enough to produce pain, it is often unrestorable. Loss of a tooth leads to the opposing and adjacent teeth drifting into the space, which will result in your teeth not being properly aligned with each other. An incorrect bite can lead to other problems, such as decay and jaw pain. Often dental pain will temporarily go away, leaving the false impression that there is no longer a problem. If you have intermittent or continuing pain, call our office so Dr. Martin can assess the problem for you.

TOOTH DECAY

Tooth decay is a preventable disease. When your teeth and gums are consistently exposed to starches and sugars, acids form and begin to eat away at the tooth enamel. Sweet foods such as candy, cookies, soft drinks, fruit juices, and sugar based gum feed the bacteria that naturally occurs in the mouth. These natural bacteria form plaque. The acids produced by the plaque can soften and deteriorate the hard enamel, leaving a direct path to the softer dentine layer underneath. A cavity is shaped like an iceberg -- what appears to be a tiny hole on the outside is usually a much bigger hole at the dentine level.

A small cavity is often pain free. In many cases, a tooth doesn't become sensitive or painful until the cavity approaches the center of the tooth (pulp) containing the nerve. At this stage, a tooth often needs a root canal and crown in order to be restored.

Cavities negatively impact your quality of life. A repaired tooth is never as strong as a whole, healthy tooth. Unlike most of the rest of your body, teeth do not ever heal themselves, so a cavity only gets bigger and more expensive to repair.

Twice daily brushing, and good health habits will prevent most cavities from ever forming. Prevention, in the form of regular cleanings and check-ups will catch cavities when they are small and easy to repair.

SENSITIVE TEETH

Your teeth expand and contract in reaction to changes in temperature. Hot and cold food or beverages can cause pain or irritation to people with sensitive teeth. Over time, tooth enamel can be worn down, gums may recede or teeth may develop microscopic cracks, exposing the interior of the tooth and irritating nerve endings. Just breathing cold air can be painful for those with extremely sensitive teeth. Be aware that sensitivity can be caused by a number of factors: teeth whitening or tartar-controlled toothpaste, high acid foods (citrus, salsa, tomato, and even cooked spinach) or sinus infections. If you suffer from an extreme sensitivity, discuss this with Dr. Martin.

GUM DISEASE

Gum disease, or periodontal disease, can cause inflammation, tooth loss and bone damage. One indicator of gum disease is consistent bad breath or a bad taste in the mouth. Gum disease begins with a sticky film of bacteria called plaque. With gingivitis, the early stage of disease, gums can bleed easily and become red and swollen. Untreated, the bone begins to recede. With neglect, the disease progresses to periodontitis, in which the teeth may fall out or need to be removed due to lack of bone support. Gum disease is highly preventable and can usually be avoided by daily brushing and flossing, along with a professional cleaning twice a year. If the patient has the early stages of gum disease, our hygienists often suggest a professional cleaning every 3 to 4 months. This extra cleaning each year often makes the difference between healthy gums or a slow progression into periodontal disease.

BAD BREATH (HALITOSIS)

Daily brushing and flossing helps to prevent the buildup of food particles, plaque and bacteria in your mouth. Cleaning your tongue periodically with your toothbrush or tongue scraper is also helpful in preventing bad breath. Food particles left in the mouth deteriorate and cause bad breath. While certain foods, such as garlic or raw onions, may create temporary bad breath, consistent bad breath may be a sign of gum disease or another dental or medical problem.

CANKER SORES

Canker sores, also known as Herpes, or cold sores, are small sores inside the mouth or on the lip. If located on the inside of the mouth the canker sore has a white or gray base surrounded by a red border and can be quite painful. Generally lasting one or two weeks, the duration of canker sores can be reduced by the use of antimicrobial mouthwashes or topical agents. If you are troubled by cold sores, ask Dr. Martin about the latest treatment. If you have a persistent lesion in your mouth that doesn't look like a canker sore, or doesn't go away in two weeks, be sure to call the office for an oral exam.

ORTHODONTIC PROBLEMS

A bite that doesn't meet properly (malocclusion) can be inherited due to a small jaw and large teeth. Some causes of malocclusion include missing or extra teeth, crowded teeth or misaligned jaws. Accidents or developmental issues, such as finger or thumb sucking over an extended period of time may cause malocclusions. There are several options for malocclusions that you can discuss with Dr. Martin.

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