Have you got a little niggle in your teeth or gums that you’re not quite sure about? Whether it’s been building for a while or it’s quickly onset, you still want a resolution for lasting relief and long-term comfort.
Read on for the most common complaints your dentist hears daily, and what you can do about them.
Teeth sensitivity
Sensitivity is a very common complaint in adult patients in our Dublin practice, and the symptoms we hear most about are pain when eating or drinking hot and cold foods, toothache, discomfort when breathing cold air and feeling uncomfortable when brushing your teeth.
Knowing the triggers for sensitivity can help to manage this condition successfully, so if you too suffer from sensitive teeth you may want to try the following:
- Protect your teeth by using enamel-strengthening toothpaste
- Know your triggers and avoid them (things like hot tea, cold water, ice cream etc)
- Don’t whiten your teeth as this can often result in an increased temporary sensitivity, but can be more painful if you already have sensitive teeth.
Bleeding gums
If your gums bleed when you brush your teeth, you could be suffering from gum disease. It’s estimated now that around 80% of Irish adults have some form of gum disease, which is a very worrying statistic, because as you age your gum problems tend to get worse.
If your gums start to recede due to gum disease, they can expose the root of your tooth, leaving you open to pain, decay, and possibly even eventual tooth loss. If you’re worried about your gums and want to do everything you can to preserve them, try the following:
- Floss twice daily to remove food and bacteria build up around your gum line
- Keep eating fresh vegetables (these are better than fruit as they contain less sugar) which are full of nutrients to keep your gums healthy
- Quit smoking
Teeth grinding, or bruxism
If you wake up in the morning with an ache in your jaw, you might be one of the many people who grind their teeth at night unknowingly. This can also present itself as a constant headache.
So if you have these combined symptoms, talk to your dentist straight away as bruxism can lead to other more severe complications, like broken teeth, disrupted sleep, earache and long term facial pain. Your dentist may recommend some of the following tips for bruxism:
- A special mouthguard to protect your teeth when you sleep
- Stress relief techniques if you grind your teeth more when you’re anxious
- A review of any medication which may be contributing to the condition
Toothache
At some point in our lives, most of us will experience toothache in some form. This could be due to cavities which have exposed the nerve and increased pain and sensitivity, it could be from wisdom teeth erupting in your mouth with not enough space, or it could be due to trauma or injury.
The quickest way to treat the pain is to see your dentist for a prompt diagnosis. If you have started to feel a little niggle in your mouth, don’t delay – get it checked out straight away before it develops further into a bigger issue.
Still not sure what’s going on in your mouth? Why not call us today and arrange an appointment? We’ll conduct a thorough exam and discuss any causes for concern – and of course, if there are things you are worried about please talk to us about them so that we can develop the most comprehensive treatment plan for you.
Find out more about the 5 steps in our examinations process, or get in touch with us today to book your appointment
[Featured image © Matt Madd]
