Dental & Health Care

Wisdom teeth, a set of four are commonly referred to as third molars. They are the last teeth to develop and erupt in the mouth. Most people get them by the age of 15 to 25. As it comes in the later stage of life, it is at times given the association of the amount of wisdom a person has. For many, all four wisdom teeth do not develop. And for whom they do develop, rarely are they healthy and well aligned. At some time in our life we have all been through the excruciating wisdom teeth pain, and removal has seemed to be the only cure. Dental care is often neglected, however it plays a very vital role in ensuring overall good health.

By itself, wisdom teeth are not a cause for pain, it’s the way they develop and are misaligned that gives rise to an array of painful symptoms. Pain is a common and the most exhibited symptom. One can feel constant irritation in the mouth. Swelling not only around the infected area but even externally around the ear and throat can also be seen. People with misaligned or deformed wisdom teeth become susceptible to gum disease and tooth decay. Read the rest of this entry »

Most of us yearn for white, pearl-like teeth that can instantly brighten a smile. So, various teeth whitening methods have been tried by humans throughout the ages. Today, teeth whitening is a part of cosmetic dentistry that uses various methods like bleaching, to whiten the teeth. The color of the teeth may fade with age or through smoking and use of tobacco. Even some medications and medical conditions may cause discoloration of teeth.

If you want to bleach teeth at home, you may either use products, like, teeth whitening toothpastes, gels, strips, etc. There are also various home remedies that can be effective for this purpose. The following tips can prove helpful in bleaching teeth at home. Read the rest of this entry »

Gingivitis is a gum disease caused by bacterial infection of the tissues surrounding the gums and teeth. The growth of bacteria in these areas is mainly triggered by lack of proper oral hygiene. The sugary and starchy components present in our foods react with the bacteria present inside the mouth to form a soft, sticky, colorless film known as plaque. Regular brushing and flossing helps to eliminate this plaque. In case, it is not cleaned up properly, it hardens to form tartar which becomes a breeding ground for bacteria. Hormonal changes are responsible for pregnancy gingivitis. Other factors that can contribute towards gingivitis are poor nutrition and side effects of medicines. Early signs of gingivitis are not painful but as it progresses, the gums may hurt a lot.

The bacteria that grow in tartar tend to irritate the gum at the base of the teeth called gingiva, which in turn, gives rise to a number of annoying gingivitis symptoms. One of the most obvious gingivitis signs is that the gums start bleeding easily. It is a common occurrence particularly while brushing or flossing. Red and swollen gums are another clear indication of gingivitis. If the gums are badly inflamed, then it turns soft and puffy. Occasionally, gums may become extremely tender and sensitive. When the gums are in healthy condition, then its tissue is firm and it is pale pink in color. If it gets infected, then the color of the gums changes to bright red or purplish red. Receding gums is another problem faced by people suffering from gingivits. Sometimes, mouth sores may develop on the gum surface. Read the rest of this entry »

A dead tooth - also known as a non-vital tooth, is a tooth where the blood circulation has stopped. How does this happen? When there is a cavity in the tooth, then this infection tends to spread inwards. This spreads to the dentin, when a person begins to feel sensitivity. Then, if the infection is not dealt with at this stage, it progresses towards the pulp. Now, when it reaches the pulp, the pulp tends to flare up so as to fight this infection off. This is the stage where a person experiences severe tooth pain. The pulp makes use of white blood cells to fight this infection.

There is formation of pus and a few white blood cells die. This leads to an increase in the pressure in the tooth, and an immense amount of pain. If the infection progresses further, then all the white blood cells eventually die and the blood flow to the tooth stops as a result of which the tooth becomes dead. This reaction may also be seen in cases where the person has had some kind of severe trauma to the tooth, which instantly renders the tooth non-vital. Read the rest of this entry »

Tooth ache is considered to be one of the most painful and disturbing. Only imagine if that pain is chronic or recurrent. The reasons for this can be various but sometimes it is the cause of the root canal problems. The treatment of root canals is quite expensive, so your dentist should make certain that the cause of pain is the problematic root canals.

The general symptoms that frequently suggest a necessity for root canal treatment is a chronically painful tooth joined with gum sensitivity or swelling in the location right next to the tooth, or both sensitivity and swelling appearing simultaneously. The initial method that a dentist might identify the necessity for root canal in the absence of ache is by common X-rays. At times, the death of a nerve of a tooth might not be a painful process, with the nerve tissue inside the tooth deteriorating without resulting in any perceptible symptom. This signifies the need for root canal healing may stay unknown, frequently even for years. Read the rest of this entry »