Toothache

Here at Smile Hub Dental Clinic in Bayside Medical Centre, we understand that a toothache can be very painful and uncomfortable which is why we try to see every emergency patient to come up with a treatment that will help the pain subside. A toothache occurs when the nerve or other areas of the tooth are irritated or damaged. The main causes of a toothache are tooth decay, injury or a knocked-out tooth. Dry socket which is an infection that can develop after an extraction can cause very bad pain. Gum Disease like periodontal disease can cause irritation at times. Sometimes, pain that is in another area of the head can radiate to the jaw and feel like a toothache. Sinus problems, TMJ and an earache are examples of pain that can feel like a toothache. Most people can avoid any tooth pain by practicing good oral hygiene like brushing and flossing their teeth twice a day and going for regular check ups and cleanings here at Smile Hub Dental Clinic.

Have you got pain from any of the following? If so, contact Smile Hub Dental Clinic on 01 5253888 or book online for an emergency appointment.

Sore or Bleeding Gums?

Sore or bleeding gums can be a sign that there is an underlying problem in the mouth. Sore or bleeding gums can usually be caused by brushing too hard, an injury to the gum or gum disease which is the most common. Gum disease starts as gum inflammation or gingivitis. The gum irritation, swelling and bleeding can worsen to an infection of the gum tissue and periodontal ligaments connecting the tooth to the gum tissue and jaw bone. This can lead to loose teeth and teeth loss. Severe periodontitis may lead to jaw bone loss and jaw disorders which may require extensive orthodontic treatment or oral surgery.

The following symptoms can be noticed if a person has a gum infection or gum disease:

• Gum inflammation, swelling and bleeding
• Receding gum tissue and gum tenderness
• Foul oral taste and odour
• Mouth sores, ulcers and presence of pus or abscess
• Loose teeth and unusual bite sensations

To prevent gum infections and gum disease it is important to practice good oral hygiene by brushing twice a day and flossing regularly. Visiting Smile Hub Dental Clinic regularly for check-ups and cleaning can help the dentist to spot any early signs of gum disease so they can provide you with information on how to prevent and treat it.

Mouth Ulcers?

Mouth Ulcers are very common and can be identified as small, sore lesions that develop in your mouth. People more at risk of mouth ulcers are women, adolescents and people with a family history of mouth ulcers. Mouth ulcers are not contagious and are not usually serios. They disappear after a week or to in most cases but if they become large and very sore you may need to see a dentist or be referred to a doctor. Unfortunately, there is no direct cause of mouth ulcers but there are certain aspects which can trigger the onset of a mouth ulcer. Some of these triggers may include:

• Small mouth injuries from accidentally biting or burning your mouth,
• Dental products that contain sodium lauryl sulfate
• Acidic foods such as fruit and fizzy drinks or sometimes even coffee or chocolate
• Deficient in essential vitamins like iron and B12
• Mouth bacteria causing an allergy
• Braces can sometimes cause mouth ulcers
• Hormonal changes during pregnancy or menstruation
• Stress or anxiety
• Viral, Bacterial or Fungal Infections

There is no exact treatment for ulcers as they usually go away by themselves but there are a few things that can be done to help with the discomfort and healing of a mouth ulcer. Here are a few tips to help with mouth ulcers:

• Rinse your mouth with warm salty water
• Using topical anaesthetic benzocaine which can be bought in a pharmacy
• Apply ice to the mouth ulcer
• Use a steroid mouthwash to reduce the pain and swelling
• Take vitamin supplements like folic acid and vitamin B12

Dental abscess/ visible swelling in or around the mouth?

A dental abscess is a build up of pus that can occur in the tooth, gums or bone. It is caused by a bacterial infection inside the tooth but an abscess usually comes up at the end of the tooth. An abscess is painful and will not go away so it is very important to get it examined and treated as it may lead to needing root canal treatment or an extraction. The symptoms of an abscess include:

• A toothache in the area of the affected tooth which can sometime spread to the ear.
• Inflammation and redness in the area
• Difficulty biting on the affected area
• Sensitivity to hot and cold

If you think you have a dental abscess, book an emergency appointment here at Smile Hub Dental Clinic as an abscess usually means that the nerve in the tooth is dying or is already dead. Before you get to the dentist take anti-inflammatory pain killers until the dentist can prescribe you antibiotics or stronger painkillers. Try to use the other side of your mouth when eating or drinking. Continue to brush and floss the area gently with a soft tooth brush. Once you come in for your appointment our dentist first priority is to get you out of pain and will then come up with an appropriate treatment plan for you.

Cavity or hole in a tooth?

A cavity or hole in the tooth develops from tooth decay. Tooth decay occurs when acid and plaque stick to the tooth and starts to dissolve the protective layer of the tooth called enamel. A hole in the tooth can then develop and bacteria can get into the inner material of the tooth called the dentine which can then lead to pain and infection as the dentine has tiny holes that go through to the nerve of the tooth.

If there is a very early sign of tooth decay it can sometimes be prevented by a fissure sealant. This is a protective layer which is coated on the tooth and usually used on children’s teeth. If the cavity is not too large the dentist can repair it by removing the decay and filling it with an amalgam or a composite filling. If the decay has reached the nerve and caused damage, the tooth will need root canal treatment where the nerve is removed and the core of the tooth is covered by a filling or a crown. If the tooth is too decayed to repair than the only solution is an extraction. To prevent needing any of the above treatment we recommend:

• Brushing your teeth twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste and flossing regularly.
• Avoid or limit the amount of acidic and sugary food and drink you have.
• Regularly see your dentist for check ups and cleanings so that any decay can be caught early to prevent serious dental treatment.

Broken/chipped/fractured/cracked tooth?

Teeth can break or crack for a number of reasons. Usually, they crack due to an injury to the mouth, teeth grinding, tooth decay or biting on hard foods. If you have broken a tooth it is important to book an emergency appointment here at Smile Hub Dental Clinic as delaying treatment can lead to further dental problems. A cracked tooth can be obvious to notice but if you haven’t noticed you may get symptoms such as pain, discomfort or swelling. If you have broken a tooth due to injury it is very important to get straight to the dentist. Clean the affected area with warm water and hold a cold compress to it to avoid swelling. Keep the broken tooth in milk or in your mouth as it may be able to be reattached.

A broken tooth will be treated depending on the severity of the break. Here are some treatments which may be suggested:

• Fillings– Fillings would be the most used treatment to fix a broken tooth. They can be used for small or large breaks.
• Crowns- A crown is a protective casing that sits on top of the tooth and may be used if the tooth is weak and has a chance of breaking again. It may also be used if there is not enough tooth left for a normal filling.
• Composite bonding- Composite bonding is a great way to fix minor chips as it is non invasive and can be matched to your exact tooth shade.
• Root-canal treatment– If the nerve of the tooth has been exposed and damaged you may need root canal treatment on this tooth. This removes the nerve and fills it. A crown will need to be placed after a root canal to protect the weakened tooth.

It is not really possible to prevent a broken tooth but there are some ways to help the chances of getting one. Wear a nightguard while sleeping if you grind your teeth to prevent cracks. Wear a sports guard to prevent mouth injuries during sports. Practice good oral hygiene to keep the teeth strong and prevent tooth decay.

Wisdom tooth pain?

Wisdom teeth are our back set of molars that come up usually in our 20s. Some people never get wisdom teeth whereas some people will get all 4. Wisdom teeth can cause problems and can be painful due to impaction, tooth decay or a gum infection. Sometimes a wisdom tooth is impacted and food gathers around the partially erupted tooth causing swelling of the gum and severe pain. There is not always enough space in the mouth for a wisdom tooth to erupt which may prevent a patient eating comfortably if the tooth grows into a person’s cheek. Wisdom teeth can damage neighbouring teeth by causing decay or cause a person’s front teeth to crowd.

Typically, if a wisdom tooth develops an infection then the gum will become sore and swollen. A person can develop bad breath, bad taste and difficulty opening their mouth when eating. Sometimes pus can exude from the gum surrounding the wisdom tooth. Patients can feel generally systemically unwell with malaise, tiredness and a temperature.

When you develop wisdom tooth pain it is important to book an emergency appointment here at Smile Hub Dental Clinic so that one of our friendly dentists can detect why the tooth is causing pain. They will usually prescribe antibiotics or painkillers to reduce the pain quickly. Usually if a wisdom tooth is causing a lot of pain it will have to be extracted to prevent on ongoing infections and other teeth being affected.

Tooth sensitivity to hot/cold or sweet things?

Tooth sensitivity can cause pain and which is sudden and sharp. Tooth sensitivity can be caused by many different things and is usually a sign that there is something wrong which is why it is important to book in with a dentist so they can diagnose any problems and help fix them. Sensitivity can usually be helped but if treatment is delayed the following symptoms can occur:

• Pain when your drink or eat something hot or cold
• Pain when you eat sweet things
• Soreness when your bite
• Aches that dwell after initial pain

Teeth sensitivity is caused by the outer layer of enamel wearing away over time and inner layer of dentine has been exposed. The dentine has little holes that go through to the nerve which is why sensitivity is felt when the enamel is exposed. Sensitivity after a filling is normal but if it doesn’t go after a few weeks let your dentist know as there could be an underlying problem with the tooth. Dentine can be exposed and cause sensitivity if:

• You have a broken tooth or a hole from decay that has reached the dentine
• You brush too hard or used a hard tooth brush
• Your enamel has eroded from acidic food and drinks
• Your gums have receded and exposed the root which does not have a protective layer
• Poor whitening treatment which has damaged the enamel
• If you grind your teeth enough to wear down the enamel and expose the dentine

Sensitivity in teeth can be prevented and is usually treatable. It is important to always go for regular check ups and cleanings here at Smile Hub Dental Clinic so that if have sensitivity it can be treated. Practice good oral hygiene by brushing twice a day and flossing. If you have broken a tooth make sure to get it examine and treated by a dentist to avoid the dentine or nerve being exposed for too long. To avoid gum recession, use a soft toothbrush and gently brush in small circular motions. Avoid acidic and sugar food and drinks to stop your enamel wearing away. Use fluoride toothpaste and products to help build up your enamel. Use a desensitising toothpaste to help with any sensitivity.