Our teeth are held in place by roots attached to our jawbone. Some teeth, such as our front teeth, have only one root, while larger back teeth, such as molars, have two or more. Sometimes, these roots become so infected that an abscess forms. A...
Tooth pain can be sharp and sudden or dull and chronic. There are an infinite number of causes, but the most puzzling cases involve aches that seem to come and go or even disappear entirely and return a few months later. The body's own healing...
Dentistry is a form of medical care that is concerned with the health of the mouth and nearby structures. Dentists diagnose and treat disease and disorders of the oral cavity and manage their effects on the overall health and well-being of the...
Dentists play an important role in health care, making sure that their patients' teeth and gums are free of cavities and growing properly. They use tools such as dental drills, brushes, forceps and probes to look inside the mouth and diagnose...
Tooth pain is caused by inflammation and irritation to the nerve of the tooth. It may be caused by infection, cavities, tooth loss or trauma. Ear pain, jaw pain and heart disease may also cause pain that radiates to the jaw area and feels like...
A root canal can save a tooth when infection or inflammation affects the tooth's nerve. The center of each tooth is filled with a soft substance called pulp, which contains connective tissue, nerves and blood vessels. When the pulp is injured or...
A tooth abscess is the result of a bacterial infection. When trauma or decay damages a tooth, it leaves an opening in which bacteria can enter. If the tooth becomes infected, a pus-filled sac develops that is actually a collection of the bacteria,...
A tooth abscess is a pus-filled area where bacteria has entered the tooth pulp though a crack or cavity in the enamel and caused an infection. It is a sign that your tooth and jawbone are being destroyed, and it requires prompt treatment. It also...
The jaw consists of two bones, the maxilla, or upper jaw, and mandible, or lower jaw. Pain in the lower jaw can occur from many different causes, and can be acute or chronic. Pain may also occur from conditions in the jaw bone itself or may be...
Teeth pain is often associated with cavities, but Dr. Joseph Dovgan, an Arizona endodontist, explains it can have many other causes. Some are related to the teeth and gums, while others are linked to medical conditions. Your dentist or doctor can...
Occasionally, teeth suffer from excessive decay or cracking, which eventually damages the pulp of the tooth. Damaged pulp is incapable of repairing itself. If left without treatment, an infection starts and a tooth abscess starts. Signs and...
When your teeth and face hurt you are likely to run the dentist -- but the dentist is not always the right person for the job. While a number of tooth ailments do lead to tooth and face pain, a problem with your teeth is not always at fault. A...
Bad breath, or halitosis, in children is often the result of bacteria building up between teeth or on the back of the tongue. In other cases, certain foods that your child eats, sinus conditions, improper dental hygiene or an underlying medical...
According to the American Association of Endodontists, several myths exist about root canal treatment: Root canals are painful, cause illness and are no better for you than removing the tooth. The truth is that it is usually a comfortable, safe...
Nothing is enjoyable about a toothache. According to the American Association of Public Health Dentistry, an intense toothache can affect normal daily activities such as employment, housework, sleep and eating. Chronic pain can also cause...
Inflammation of the dental pulp can cause a mild, moderate or severe toothache. This small soft tissue structure found inside a tooth contains blood vessels, nerves and connective tissue and functions to create the tooth's hard structure during...
Some abscessed teeth occur without causing the slightest pain or swelling. X-rays detect these during a dental examination. However, other abscessed teeth cause severe pain that can interfere with work, school and routine daily activities. In...
A toothache can originate from within the tooth or the surrounding bone, ligament and gum tissue. This pain ranges from mild to severe and may include swelling and other symptoms such as fever and swollen lymph nodes. Determining the source of...
Most dental abscesses remain localized and pose no serious threat to general health. Still, each year work and school time is lost because of dental abscesses and facial cellulitis, according to the “California Dental Association...
Experiencing an abscessed tooth years after you've had a root canal can be a puzzling and alarming experience. You assumed that the root canal and crown took care of the initial problem. This is not always the case, though. That tooth may still be...
An infected tooth requires immediate attention from a dental professional to prevent the loss of the tooth and other complications. Knowing the signs of an infected tooth can lead to early treatment and resolution of the infection. A tooth can...
Angina or a heart attack can cause pain in the jaw. Temperomandibular joint syndrome and sinusitis are two other possibilities that require consideration during the diagnosis of jaw pain. However, an abscessed tooth is among the most common causes...
Teeth are composed of a hard outer structure useful during chewing and a soft tissue on the interior that builds the tooth during its early development. This soft tissue has no vital function in maintaining the tooth after complete development....
After you've invested time and money in a dental crown, you may find it hard to believe that a toothache could develop---especially if you had no discomfort before placement of the restoration. But this is a common dental condition, and a...
Tooth pain comes in the form of mild sensitivity or a throbbing toothache. The pain may occur quickly without warning or start with slight sensitivity that gradually worsens. Walking and other forms of bodily movement have the potential to worsen...
A toothache can be a minor inconvenience, or it can be fatal, according to ABC News. A painful tooth can arise from minor inflammation or signal an infection accompanied by serious medical complications. Toothaches require immediate attention to...
The dental pulp is a small amount of soft tissue lying beneath the hard structures of a tooth. However, it has the potential to cause a large problem when it becomes infected. This can occur as the result of tooth decay, multiple dental...
Beneath the hard outer structures of a tooth lies a small quantity of soft tissue known as the dental pulp. This tissue contains blood vessels, nerve fibers and connective tissue that build the tooth during its development, according to the...
Work and school times are lost each year as the result of dental emergencies, according to the American Association of Public Health Dentistry. A severe toothache can even impair the ability to carry out routine daily activities. The onset of any...
