Over the weekend a good friend told us that a taste of ice cream has recently become a painful experience for her. Sometimes, even brushing and flossing has made her wince. She was concerned that her tooth may have a cavity and was even more concerned that a root canal may be needed. She mentioned, however, that the sensitivity she was having only takes place for a couple of seconds, and no more than a minute.
Sensitivity has been known to originate from teeth that have caries (cavities) or micro fractures. Depending on the lesion or crack, a simple restoration or a filling will alleviate the issue if the sensitivity is intermittent in nature. On occasion, an exposed root from excessive brushing can be the culprit. In this case, if the wear pattern is minor, topical fluoride can be placed on the affected area for relief. If, however, the depth of the wear pattern is large, a composite (tooth colored) filling, is best. This will act as a barrier to prevent intermittent sensitivity and will prevent continuation of wear taking place on the tooth. Think of it as a phone protector for your iPhone, instead of the phone being scratched the wear pattern is placed on the protector. Placing a filing in worn areas of a tooth will, in essence, be the protective layer to undergo the wear and tear that one would normally place on their teeth--this will prevent and decrease the chances of needing a root canal. For larger wear patterns, a filling is recommended in order to prevent excessive wear. In extreme cases, an area of unprotected wear can expose the nerve and blood supply of the tooth. If these vital tissues are involved and lingering pain is experienced, a root canal and a crown is now necessary.
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When I bite down or eat anything, I notice a sharp and annoying pain. The pain normally lasts for a couple of seconds, so I have learned to ignore it. Since this has happened I have been avoiding foods like bagels, almonds, beef jerky, almond roca, and basically anything that is hard or would require a lot of chewing.
According to dental literature, teeth may crack from chewing hard objects or foods such as ice, nuts, or hard candy. An accident or blow to the mouth can also result in tooth damage. Uneven chewing pressure, grinding and clenching can result in a cracked tooth. Lastly, teeth that have undergone a root canal treatment will have a tendency to become brittle and will eventually fracture if proper restorations are not placed. It is very difficult to identify teeth that are fractured. Some cracks are so thin and small that they often appear as hairline fractures. It is usually hard to see with the naked eye and may not be visible on radiographs. It is always a good idea to report any problems associated with eating and biting into anything hard, hot, and cold. A cracked tooth may begin hurting because the pressure of biting causes the crack to open. As the biting pressure is released a sharp pain results as the crack quickly closes. Even though the crack may be microscopic the pulp inside the tooth may become irritated. If the crack irritates the pulp the tooth can become hypersensitive to extreme temperatures. In severe cases a root canal treatment and a crown may be required in order to save a tooth. Cracked teeth can be treated in several ways, depending on the severity of the crack. A deep fracture may require a tooth to be extracted. Others may require a crown if the severity of the crack is limited to the crown of the tooth. Some teeth may only require a bonded filling if the crack is not that great in size. Tiny cracks are common and usually do not cause problems. Regular dental check ups are important in identifying problems before they become severe. These exams will allow the diagnosis at an early stage. If pain persists, avoid chewing on the side being affected and call your dentist. JADA Vol. 134 April 2003 Pg 531 My partner has informed me multiple times that I have a bad habit of grinding my teeth while I sleep at night. I often wake up with a headache or sore muscles around my jaw. During the day I have also noticed that I clench my teeth while I am driving.
According to dental literature this is a condition called bruxism. Many people are unaware that they grind their teeth because they do it while they are in deep slumber. The clenching and grinding is usually loud, but others do it without making a noise. Bruxism may be mild and occasional or aggressive and frequent. People who grind or clench their teeth will often experience headaches, earaches, or toothaches. On occasion, muscle soreness and jaw joint tenderness are experienced. Besides causing discomfort, grinding can damage dental restorations and loosen teeth. Bruxism can also damage the jaw joints that connect the jaw (mandible) to the skull. Grinding can cause cracks on teeth, wear away enamel that can lead to sensitivity to pressure and temperature changes. Bruxism develops at any age. Pain or discomfort from colds, ear infections, allergies and other ailments may cause kids to grind their teeth. Causes of bruxism are not really known, but several factors may be involved. Stressful situations, problems in sleeping, an abnormal bite, and crooked or missing teeth have been found to contribute. What can be done? Regular dental checkups are important to detect damage in the early stages. Your dentist can diagnose and treat irregular wear on teeth and determine the source of facial pain that may result from bruxism. Your dentist may suggest a nightguard that can be worn while sleeping. Custom-made by the dentist from soft material to fit your teeth, the nightguard slips over the teeth on the upper or lower side and prevents contact with the opposing teeth. The nightguard relieves some of the pressure of grinding and clenching. If stress is the major cause of bruxism, it may be helpful to also find ways to relax. Applying a warm, wet washcloth to the side that is sore may help relax the muscles that have been causing discomfort. If you have difficulty handling stress, counseling may point to effective ways of dealing with stressful situations. An abnormal bite, one in which teeth do not fit well together, may lead to grinding. Treatment may involve reducing the high spots on one or more teeth. For serious cases, your dentist may suggest reshaping or reconstructing the biting surfaces with inlays or crowns. Grinding is a common occurrence for many people at some time or another. If you routinely grind your teeth, please see your dentist. JADA Vol. 136 April 2005 Pg 559 |
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December 2015
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