Sometimes teeth develop nerve problems. These can result from tiny cracks in the tooth, trauma, or deep decay. If a patient is experiencing pain or swelling, root canal, or endodontic, therapy may be recommended. Many patients would like to...
Root canals are procedures used by dentists that involve removing the root and pulp of a tooth, cleaning the cavity and sealing it back up. This process is done on teeth that have become badly infected or decayed. Knowing whether you need a root...
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...
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...
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...
Most of us at one time or another suffered the discomfort of a toothache. Who can forget the throbbing pain when eating or when a hot or cold liquid makes contact with your tooth's nerve? The worse type of dental pain results from infection or...
Understanding the procedure of a root canal operation helps with recognizing symptoms that appear after the procedure is performed. Teeth have several parts. The white outer surface of a tooth is called enamel. There is another hard layer called...
The exterior of a tooth is a hard surface called the enamel. Another layer called dentin is beneath the enamel. The dentin surrounds a core area of soft connective tissue, blood vessels and nerves. This core is called the pulp. It extends from the...
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...
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...
Improved dental surgery techniques do not completely prevent the normal health risks that accompany all surgeries. Swelling needs to be controlled with cold packs, and any bleeding managed. It is common for the surgical site to sustain trauma...
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...
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...
Dentists maintain their patients' oral health, with a focus on ailments and diseases of the mouth, teeth and gums. Many dentists have a general practice, and others specialize in fields such as oral surgery or orthodontics.
The American Pregnancy Association states that you should go for regular dental cleanings during pregnancy. Seeing your dentist for an exam and your hygienist for cleanings might help prevent decay, infections and other dental problems that can...
Insurance is designed to offset major expenses in various life areas. For example, a homeowner's policy covers damage to your house, while car insurance pays for repairs after an auto accident. Medical policies do not cover dental work, but you...
Dental insurance and dental discount plans have the same general purpose. They make dental work more affordable so patients can get regular preventative care as well as procedures like fillings, bridges and root canals. Each of these options...
Apple cider vinegar, made from fermenting apple cider, is a commonly used dietary supplement with some reported health benefits. Many people consume the vinegar in either liquid or solid concentrated supplements to address a number of health...
Calcium hydroxide, also known as slaked lime or hydrated lime, is formed by mixing calcium oxide with water. Calcium hydroxide is a white, powdery solid that is strongly alkaline. Industries that use calcium hydroxide include dentistry, food...
Calcium hydroxide is an inorganic compound, Ca(OH)2, composed of calcium oxide, referred to as lime, combined with water. It is also called slaked lime or commercial hydrated lime. Calcium hydroxide is a versatile chemical combination used in...
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...
Dental work can get expensive. Insurance to pay for the dentist can help to offset the costs of preventive dental care as well as work needed to repair teeth, such as fillings and root canals. According to consultants at the Consumer Guide to...
Dentures offer people with dental problems an attractive alternative to root canals or the unsightly look of missing teeth. After you get your new dentures, you have to adjust your eating habits until you get used to the fit and feel of the false...
Any pain that affects the teeth or the gums is considered a toothache. Some toothaches are mild and go away after a short period of time. These are sometimes the result of a minor gum injury, such as when food particles get caught in the teeth....
When you develop a cavity, exposing the affected tooth to heat can sometimes trigger a sudden toothache. Hot food and beverages can seep into the small holes left in the enamel from tooth decay. This can expose the underlying layers, which are far...
Changes in elevation can cause pain in the teeth, which is a condition called barodontalgia. It is not only caused by mountain climbing, but by any change in atmospheric pressure. Whatever the initial cause, these painful toothaches are often a...
Thirty-eight percent of adults in the United States use alternative forms of medicine to prevent or treat illness, according to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. This includes therapies such as acupuncture,...
Sensitive teeth are a problem that prevents many people from enjoying hot or cold foods or beverages. Brushing and flossing around sensitive areas may cause tooth pain. Sometimes even breathing in cold air causes discomfort. Such sensitivity is...
Dental schools can be a convenient avenue if you are looking for quality dental care at a lower cost than that offered in a private dental practice, according to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research. In the dental school...
