How to Get Rid of a Toothache

I've had a mysterious hole in one of my molars for oh, about four years now. I've been without dental insurance for oh, about a million and a half years now, so I've yet to find out whether that hole is something I should be worried about. Luckily, said molar is not experiencing any pain or aches, so I've decided that the state of my dental health does not get a place on my "to worry about" list.

Toothaches are nasty things that can make it hard for you to eat, think, talk, sleep, and generally function. The cause of toothache can be varied (see the left sidebar), but the ultimate cure for a toothache is usually the same: go to a dentist. Lucky for tooth-achy you, though, there are lots of home remedies for toothache pain, and we offer those for your perusal here.


Toothache Remedies

Toothache RemediesSchedule an appointment with a dentist as soon as your toothache turns from twinge to pain. Most home toothache remedies are aimed at getting rid of toothache pain, not solving the problem at the root of the toothache. Chances are, if you have a painful toothache, you have a serious dental problem that only a dentist can get rid of with medical treatment. Therefore, it's in your best interest to spare yourself the painful experience, and possible extra medical expenses, and not wait until the toothache becomes unbearable to see a dentist.
Numb and soothe the pain of your toothache with gentle heat and cold. Hold a hot or cold pack, or ice cubes wrapped in a towel, to your jaw next to your aching tooth. Sip hot soup broth, hot tea, or eat some ice cream. Or, if your toothache is sensitive to extreme heat and cold, sip on lukewarm liquids, like tea, cocoa, or lemon water.
Don't eat or drink foods that will make your toothache pain worse. This can mean staying away from hot and/or cold foods (see above), or foods with a lot of sugar and spices, or even foods that need to be chewed thoroughly (like meat, fibrous fruits and vegetables, etc.). Stick to liquids and soft foods at a soothing temperature to alleviate some of your toothache pain.

Use aspirin and other NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) to get rid of toothache pain. Taking the recommended dose of aspiring, aleve, ibuprofen, or other NSAIDS may be enough to relieve the pain from you toothache until you can get to a dentist. If this isn't working, however, you can try crushing an aspirin or baby aspirin to a fine power, adding just enough water to make a thick paste, and applying this paste to the aching tooth and surrounding gum area for added pain relief.
Clove oil is a natural oil used in dentistry for its analgesic (pain relief) properties. You can purchase clove oil over the counter at pharmacies for topical toothache relief at home. Dab a small amount of clove oil on a cotton swab and hold the oil directly to the painful tooth or gum area until the oil has had time to absorb into the affected area. Clove oil has an unpleasant flavor, so it's probably wise to keep the oil from touching your tongue.
Dental Toothache Treatments
Once you see a dentist to get rid of your toothache, there are quite a few possibilities for treatment, depending on the cause of your toothache, of course. Fillings, drilling, extraction, root canals, and crowning are all procedures used to remove tooth decay and seal the tooth off from further infection and decay.

Your dentist may also give you an initial injection to relieve the pain of the toothache, and provide a prescription antibiotic to treat infection, swelling, and fever resulting from the toothache. Keep in mind that dental diagnoses can vary widely from dentist to dentist, so being as specific as possible about your toothache pain and symptoms, as well as your diet and hygiene habits, will help you get the most effective dental treatment possible.

Norway Bans Dental Amalgam

We mentioned in the last post that dental amalgam is one of the best direct restorative material as of today. However, we also posted here, and here, the possible dangers presented by one of the main ingredients of the amalgam: mercury. Now we’re going to update you on new information regarding this subject.

Norway has taken a stand against dental amalgam. They have totally banned its use across the country as they reasoned that safer alternatives are available. This not only includes dental fillings but also measuring instruments. They consider the mercury as “…among the most dangerous environmental toxins. Satisfactory alternatives to mercury in products are available, and it is therefore fitting to introduce a ban.”

Will the world soon follow suit or will this be disproved? Watch this blog for more details soon.

A Quick View on the Concept of Teeth Whitening System

When you think about whitening system for the teeth, you may want to consider all important factors like the time frame that you are willing to allot in the process, temperament and, of course, your budget. There are various options that people have in terms of teeth whitening system. These processes are becoming more and more popular worldwide that even in the field of cosmetic dentistry, one of the most favored procedures that people seek to have involves teeth whitening.

There are many kinds of teeth whitening system. The main thing that you have to remember is that the main ingredient that all these products and processes use is known as peroxide. This element acts like a bleaching agent that can help you get rid of the discoloration on the teeth. Different products and procedures contain different percentage of peroxide. The higher the amount of peroxide that is used to whiten your teeth, the faster the outcome would be seen, but this may also mean that the price, which you have to pay, is also higher.

Originally, whitening can help a person restore the original color of their teeth. In this case, you can opt to use any product, such as toothpaste, to help you whiten your teeth. These days, whitening can also refer to bleaching. The term is used because it sounds better and not as intimidating as bleaching. As per the FDA, bleaching is applicable in cases when a person asks to whiten their teeth beyond their natural color.

After you have gone through your preferred method of bleaching or teeth whitening system, you will likely see positive results after some days or weeks, depending on the amount of peroxide that was used in the process. This is not a permanent solution to the problem though, you have to back this up with maintenance and you should still keep in touch with the dentist for a touch-up.

In choosing which kind of teeth whitening system is right for you, you may want to consult a professional about this so that they can recommend you the best product according to the condition of your teeth

Evolution of artificial teeth, and elixirs

RIGA - From the fourth to the third centuries BC, the first artificial teeth were being invented to replace the removed or fallen-out teeth. Artificial incisors, cut out of ivory and fastened with a gold wire, were implanted for rich Phoenicians. In the Middle Ages, dentures were made of pig, dog or human teeth. There was a legend about the villain - landowner Saltychiha - who wanted her beautiful smile back. She ordered a serf to pluck out some teeth from several of the domestic girls, to choose a collection the most suitable in colors and forms.

Prophylactic mixtures were also applied on teeth from time immemorial. In the fifth century BC the well-known Hippocrates recommended the use of ash tree mice and a rabbit’s head to save healthy teeth and to remove fetid odors from the mouth. First of all, teeth were to be cleaned with a powder, then wiped with sweaty sheep’s wool lubricated in honey. Another healer, Pliny, for the prevention of dental diseases recommended eating a fried mouse once every two months. An English physician, the monk John Gladdesden, suggested another easy recipe – a person must regularly breathe their own excrement. In China it was recommended to brush teeth with the burned head of monkey ashes. However, ancient Romans, for hygienic procedures, prepared pearl or coral powder.

Nowadays there are various dentures, removable artificial teeth that appeared. Full artificial replacements are necessary for those who have adentia – the total absence of teeth on the jaw. Such artificial teeth are fastened with the help of binding effects to the gum. Disadvantages of these dentures are that sometimes it is not possible to reach a good foundation because of the individual anatomic features of the jaw; patients can feel uncomfortable because of rubbing of the gums after eating solid food.
The Bugel prosthesis has the construction of an arc which allows the use as a base not only the gum, but also natural teeth. Chewing with bugel fixtures is closer to reality. In case of losing one tooth, you can either implant a new tooth, or use conventionally removable dentures. This kind of protheses is fixed with metal clips to the adjacent teeth.

Fixed dentures are used for the long term. They can be made out of metal material (steel, gold), combination (metal and plastic), ceramic or metal-ceramic. It has been epidemiologically proved that fixed dentures better restore the chewing function.
The only unpleasant moment is in getting used to the dental prosthesis. This can be from one week to one month. You should brush and rinse your dentures every day to remove food and plaque.

Conditioners for mouthwash are aqueous – alcoholic (1.5 – 3 percent) solutions. Deodorizing conditioners and sprays, used after brushing, contain antibacterial agents - hlorhexidine or triclosane, listerine – anti-inflammatory agents are used to reduce the formation of tooth plaque

Fractured and Broken Teeth

Teeth are remarkably strong, but they can chip, fracture or break. Teeth usually break as a result of trauma — from biting down on something hard, for example, or from a blow to the face. A child may fracture a tooth falling off a bike or curb during play. Cavities that have weakened the tooth also can cause chipping or fractures.

If a large piece of the tooth breaks off, it can hurt because the nerve inside the tooth may be damaged. If the nerve inside the tooth is exposed to air, saliva, or hot or cold foods or drinks, it can be extremely uncomfortable.

When a tooth cracks or fractures, it may or may not hurt. You may not notice the damage immediately. Minor tooth fractures are unlikely to cause symptoms. Deeper fractures can be painful because the damage may extend to the nerve inside the tooth. Pain from fractures may be constant or may come and go. Many people feel pain when they chew because as they chew they apply pressure to the tooth. As the fractured tooth bites down on the food, the crack in the tooth gets wider, but once the pressure is released, the crack closes again.

Larger fractures may cause a portion of the tooth to break off.

What You Can Do

Fractured Teeth
There is no way to treat fractured teeth at home. You need to see your dentist whenever a tooth is sensitive to changes in temperature or if it hurts while you're eating. Pain that's constant is a serious warning sign because it may mean that a fracture has damaged the nerve and live tissues inside the tooth.

Broken Teeth
You'll want to see your dentist as soon as possible. Your dentist will need to determine if the break was caused by decay and if the nerve is in danger. Adults with a damaged nerve usually will require root canal treatment, but in children, there's a possibility the nerve can be saved if the dentist is able to treat the problem immediately.

In the meantime:


Save the pieces. If the break was relatively clean, your dentist may be able to cement the tooth back together as a temporary measure.
Rinse your mouth well with warm water. If you were able to save the tooth fragment(s), rinse them under running water.
If an area is bleeding, apply a piece of gauze to the area for about 10 minutes or until the bleeding stops.
Apply a cold compress to the cheek or lips over the broken tooth. This will help reduce swelling and relieve pain.
If you can't get to your dentist right away, cover the broken surface of the tooth that is in your mouth with temporary dental cement, available in pharmacies.
Take an over-the-counter pain reliever.
What Your Dentist Will Do

Fractured Teeth
There are several types of tooth fractures, each of which requires different treatments. These include:


Minor cracks — Also called "craze lines," these are superficial fractures that affect only the tooth's enamel, the outer white part of the tooth. Minor cracks rarely need treatment. However, your dentist may lightly polish the area to smooth out any rough spots.

Chips — Minor chips don't always need treatment, although your dentist may recommend repairing the damage with filling material to prevent it from getting worse or to make the tooth look better. If the chip is in the front of the mouth, your dentist probably will use a tooth-colored filling. Often, if the chip is very small, your dentist may lightly sand the area to smooth out any rough spots.

Cusp fractures — These affect the pointed chewing surfaces (the cusps) of the teeth. They usually do not affect the pulp and are unlikely to cause significant pain. They may interfere with normal chewing, however, so your dentist may need to repair the damage. Minor cusp fractures sometimes are repaired by filing the surfaces of the tooth to restore the shape of the tooth. Frequently, these fractures will require an onlay or crown, in which the tooth is covered with a metal or porcelain material.

Serious fractures — These are fractures of the teeth that are deep enough to expose the nerve tissue. Usually, the broken part of the tooth will bleed. They almost always cause the tooth to hurt and be sensitive. This type of fracture will require root canal treatment to remove the exposed nerve. A crown likely will be needed to restore the tooth.

Cracked tooth — This type of fracture involves the whole tooth, from the chewing surface all the way down toward the nerve. However, in this type of fracture the two pieces have not come apart. This type of crack is similar to a crack that may form in an automobile windshield; the pieces remain in place, but the crack gradually spreads. Cracks can sometimes be repaired with filling material, although the tooth often will need a crown to prevent the crack from getting worse. If the pulp (nerve and other live tissues) is damaged, you may need a root canal as well.

Split tooth — This means that the tooth has split vertically into two separate parts. Some teeth, such as your back teeth (molars), have more than one root. It may be possible to keep one of the roots, which will then be covered with a crown. First, root canal treatment will be needed. Second, the root or roots that will not be kept are removed with a minor surgical procedure. Third, a crown will be made to cover the root and replace the tooth. Often, however, the tooth will have to be extracted.

Vertical tooth fractures or split root — These are cracks that start in the root of the tooth and extend upward toward the chewing surface. Vertical tooth fractures are often painful because the tissues surrounding the root may be inflamed or infected. In most cases, the tooth will have to be removed.

Decay-induced fracture — In this case, the tooth has fractured or crumbled because a cavity weakened the tooth from the inside out. Your dentist will evaluate the cavity and recommend the best way to restore the tooth.
Broken Teeth
There are many possible treatments for broken teeth, depending on the severity of the break.

If the break affected only the outer part of the tooth (the enamel), your dentist may be able to repair the damage with a filling. If the tooth is in the front of the mouth, your dentist probably will use a composite (tooth-colored) filling.

A more serious break will involve the enamel as well as the inner layer of the tooth (the dentin). In some cases, the damage can be repaired with a filling, but often the tooth will need a crown.

The most serious breaks are those that damage the nerve. In addition to making and placing a crown, your dentist probably will need to do root canal treatment to remove the damaged nerve and blood vessels.

Some fractures will require periodontal surgery before a crown can be placed. If the facture is below the gum line, close to or below the bone holding the tooth in the jaw, periodontal surgery will be needed to remove some bone to create enough room to place the crown over the root properly.


©2002-2005 Aetna, Inc. All rights reserved.

Reviewed by the faculty of Columbia University College of Dental Medicine


1/24/2005

Broken tooth

When a child falls or generally is rough-housing, sometimes, they fracture a tooth. Ugh, why does it have to the be the front teeth, the ones everyone sees? Almost every Monday, we receive a call from a parent with a child or teenager that fell over the weekend and chipped, broke, or otherwise fractured a tooth. Teeth can sustain a lot of force, but a sharp hard force concentrated in one spot can cause a fracture or "broken tooth". Now, baby teeth often have multiple small chips on the edges or facets from "normal" wear and tear. Of course, a fracture in a permanent tooth can be cause for concern.

Fractures are classified as to location and basic level of severity with the Ellis classification system:

Class 1--Chips or fractures in the outer enamel layer only
Class 2--Fractures into the dentin layer
Class 3--Fractures into the pulp of the tooth
Class 4--Fractures onto the root often vertical fractures

What to do?


Well, sometimes baby teeth are handled differently than permanent teeth. In general, the principles are the same:

Class 1--Well, they may look bad, but are usually not sensitive. If it is very small, we often just smooth off the edge. It is very difficult to do a very thin filling on the edge of a tooth. You can, but it will chip off again in a heartbeat. If the chip is larger, you often have to do a composite filling (bonding). It's the same material we use for white fillings. It is "bonded" onto the tooth -sort of like gluing something onto a flat wall.

Class 2--Larger fractures. Very common and sometimes sensitive to cold water/air, -at least for a while. A composite restoration is indicated to cover the sensitive dentin and for looks. A very large fracture may eventually need a crown or porcelain facing, but in growing children a more conservative approach is often indicated till growth and orthodontic treatment is completed. Although it often looks pretty good, a composite can be difficult to match existing tooth structure with all the minor enamel inclusions and shadings. So, if you are looking at the photographs below and think, "wow, that's not too bad", you are correct, but most results are not this good. With most repairs, if you look really close, you can see where the tooth ends and the filling begins. That's why porcelain work is often indicated later on.





















































Class 3--Always needs attention as bacteria are entering into the pulp. In adults this often means a root canal will be needed. This is not often the case in young permanent teeth. The more vigorous pulps with a better blood supply can often recover quite well. If most of the crown of the tooth is missing, a root canal may be indicated just to create something to hold a crown.

Class 4--Not common, but difficult to treat, and often need removal. Dental heroics may be needed to save such a tooth. Treatment may include orthodontic extrusion, a root canal, post and core, and a crown--if you are lucky.


Once teeth are restored, there still may be problems later on due to the initial trauma. The tooth may abscess or have other problems.

Treatment is sometimes different for a baby tooth. Often parents want whatever it takes to "save" a baby tooth that is not of any real consequence other than appearance. We are much more likely to just remove a severely damaged baby tooth rather than do a "baby tooth root canal". The main objective is protecting the developing permanent tooth. Small fillings in front baby teeth are more difficult to retain without doing a crown. Having said this, we still try and "fix" fractured baby teeth if we can. The age of the patient can dictate what you are able to do (or not). A chip in the tooth of a two year old may be handled differently than that of a 5 year old. Behavioral considerations, the need for sedation, and how much root is left on the baby tooth will influence the ultimate decision.

There is more on the blog on trauma (and I know you want more info on this one):

Simplicity System Offers Innovative Way to Maximize Orthodontics in Your General Dentistry Practice

March 29, 2010) Vista, CA – Beginning in 2009, Lancer Orthodontics has teamed with former IAO President, Dr. Thomas Hughes D.D.S., to form a new approach to orthodontics called The Simplicity System.

This new strategy is geared to help those doctors who already have some experience in orthodontics but have been unable to make this area of their practice efficient, effective, and profitable. The Simplicity System focuses on teaching practitioners how to incorporate orthodontics into their practice in order to both increase patients and revenue.

Eliminating on-shelf inventory, The Simplicity System consists of merely two wires for the entire treatment, a fixed lingual arch and indirect bonding trays. This kit allows doctors to treat approximately 90% of all orthodontic cases including crowded and narrow arch cases. As Dr. Hughes explains, “this systematic approach to Orthodontics allows me to focus on treating my patients without having to stress about product, organization or long term results.”

Starting this summer, Dr. Hughes is offering CE courses on The Simplicity System nationwide. The first of these courses will occur May 7th in San Diego and May 8th in San Francisco. There will also be courses offered in Dallas, Phoenix, Detroit, Chicago, Orlando, Atlanta, Las Vegas, Denver, Washington D.C., New York, Seattle and Costa Mesa. For more information and details regarding the course schedule and The Simplicity System in general, consult the brand new website at http://www.thesimplicitysystem.com.

The new website features information about Simplicity including video demonstrations and case presentations. Furthermore, product order forms, bonding prescription forms, and model analysis of information are available via the site.

About Dr. Hughes

Dr. Thomas J Hughes is a graduate of the University of Illinois College of Dentistry, Chicago. Upon his graduation he opened his private practice in Cassville, Wisconsin and incorporated orthodontics in 1983.

He has lectured extensively in the United States, Poland, throughout Europe and the Philippines. In 2007 he was elected as an IAO Education Committee Chairperson and Examiner. Dr. Hughes is a past IAO President and is currently a Master Senior Instructor.

Dr. Hughes is committed to the on going quality enhancement of his patients care, and superior continuing education of his fellow practitioners