Tips for Caring for Sensitive Teeth

You feel a sharp pain in your mouth. It's throbbing, constant and intensifies when any pressure is applied to the area. You notice that there's swelling in the area. You may even be experiencing a fever or headache and notice an unpleasant taste draining from the area in question.(Intraoral Camera for Sale)

More than likely, you have a toothache.

In honor of National Toothache Day on February 9, this article will take a look at some of the common causes of toothaches, as well as when to seek treatment and how to prevent them from occurring in the future.
Toothache Causes

Toothaches can be caused by a variety of things, including:

    Tooth decay
    An abscessed tooth, one that is infected at the root or gum
    A fractured tooth
    A damaged filling
    Infected gums

Toothache Treatment

Some toothaches may be minor and pass quickly, but for those lasting more than 2 days or those that are severe or involve other symptoms such as a fever or earache, it's recommended that you see a dentist immediately. This is important not only to relieve any discomfort that you're experiencing, but also to properly diagnose the issue and prevent any potential dental infections from spreading elsewhere, such as your skull, face and even possibly into your bloodstream.

In order to treat the toothache properly, your dentist will consult with you and then conduct a thorough oral exam. Based on what is causing the toothache, one of several treatment options will likely be administered:

Filling: If a damaged filling or tooth decay is the issue, the most common course of action is to have it repaired or filled.

Extraction: In more severe tooth decay situations, tooth extraction may be necessary.

Root canal: For more severe toothaches, a root canal may be necessary. Root canals are common if the tooth's nerve has been infected. This occurs when bacteria works its way into the tooth.

Antibiotics: If there is swelling of the jaw or gums, patients may be prescribed antibiotics after treatment to help the swelling subside.
Prevention

Most toothaches are the result of poor or insufficient oral care. With that being noted, the best way to prevent toothaches from happening in the first place is, simply put, to take better care of your teeth. For starters, you should be brushing at least twice a day and flossing at least once per day. It's important to keep the surfaces of the teeth clean by brushing and flossing can help keep the gums healthy - as well as removing excess food - by removing plaque from the areas where the teeth meet the gums.

Additionally, limiting foods from your diet high in sugar can help prevent tooth decay, as sugar breaks down into acids that can do great harm to your teeth.(Dental Air Scaler)

5 Nutrition Tips for a Healthy Mouth

 What's good for your body is also good for your mouth. Did you know what you eat can help to protect your teeth and gums from damage and bacterial infection. As the saying goes "We are we eat," how we feel, how we look and our overall health can really depend on what we put in our mouths. So it really isn't surprising that what we put in our mouths can also literally be good for our mouths – in addition, of course, to regular visits to the dentist, daily brushing and flossing.（High Speed Handpiece）

Ongoing research indicates that antioxidants and other nutrients found in many of the foods we eat may help strengthen our immune system and improve the body's ability to fight bacteria and inflammation, all of which can help protect the teeth and gums. So when it comes to oral heath, today's nutritional approaches go way beyond the traditional "don't eat sugar."

Here are my five food tips for a healthy mouth:
1. Choose vitamin C.

The antioxidant vitamin C, found in oranges, strawberries, tomatoes and numerous other fruits and veggies, may help protect gums and other tissues from cell damage and bacterial infection. Vitamin C also plays a role in the production of collagen, which could help maintain your gums' strength and integrity and help to prevent receding gums.

2. Dine on greens – they are high in calcium you know.

Green leafy vegetables, seaweeds and sea vegetables are rich in calcium, as well as other minerals and goodies that our bodies need, and may help promote healthy teeth and bones, reducing the risk of tooth loss. Calcium, specifically, helps protect your teeth against periodontal (gum) disease. Vitamin D is needed to help your body absorb and use the calcium so make sure you are getting sensible sun exposure, eat free range eggs or supplement with cod liver oil to get enough of this magic vitamin

3. Enjoy it raw.

Crisp fruits and raw vegetables, such as apples, pears, carrots, peppers and celery, help clean plaque from teeth and freshen breath. Supposedly, the high water content stimulates saliva, which helps to wash away food particles. Please note I am not suggesting a raw food diet, just having a raw component from time to time.

4. Go Dark.

As in dark green leafy vegetables, such as broccoli, kale and spinach. Peas and asparagus are great choices too, even though they technically aren't leafy, since they contain folic acid, which may promote a healthy mouth by supporting cell growth and cell repair throughout the body.

5. Drink up.

With water or herbal and unsweetened decaffeinated black or green teas. Water helps produce saliva, which could possibly be your mouth's best defense against tooth decay because it contains proteins and minerals that may counteract enamel-eating acids. Tea contains a compound called polyphenol, which research has shown may slow the growth of bacteria associated with cavities and gum disease.Ultrasonic Scaler

For a healthy mouth keep it simple, focus on a well-balanced nutrient dense diet versus individual nutrients. Eat plenty of fruits, veggies, lean protein (such as fish, eggs and poultry) and healthy fats (avocados, almonds and olive oil). Oh, and definitely still brush and floss daily and have regular dental visits for those important dental checks and cleans.

Are baby teeth really that important?

Your infant’s first teeth will begin to appear around six to 12 months of age. You might wonder how important these primary teeth really are. After all, baby teeth are destined to fall out within a few years and be replaced by a full set of permanent teeth. However, baby teeth have important functions, and proper care can set the stage for excellent oral and overall health.(oilless air compressor)

Promote Better Nutrition
The appearance of your baby’s primary teeth around six to 12 months of age coincides with changes in your infant’s nutritional needs. Beginning at six months, exclusive breastfeeding is no longer nutritionally sufficient; this is the age at which you should introduce solid foods.
At six to eight months, when your baby can start to chew, strained or pureed fruits and vegetables are appropriate. As your little one’s teeth grow in and chewing abilities progress through 12 months of age, you can gradually add cereal, bread, cooked meats, and other adult foods to his or her nutritious diet.
Increase the Life Expectancy of Baby Teeth
Although baby teeth are inevitably going to fall out and be replaced by permanent ones, making baby teeth last serves an important role that can have benefits into the future. Baby teeth serve as placeholders for permanent teeth. If they decay and fall out too soon, permanent teeth are more likely to grow in crooked.
How to Take Care of Baby Teeth
Your baby’s primary teeth are already in his or her mouth at birth; they are just invisible because they have not broken through the gums. Since they are already present, your baby can get cavities if you do not practice proper oral hygiene from the beginning.(Intraoral Camera)

• Do not let your baby fall asleep with a bottle in his or her mouth.
• Brush your child’s baby teeth twice a day as soon as they come in.
• Floss your child’s teeth as soon as he or she has two teeth that touch.
• Visit Southwest Dental Care for your baby’s first checkup when the first tooth arrives.