A toothache is a common dental problem and can originate from a number of factors. Most commonly, a tooth may hurt due to a crack or a fracture in the tooth, a deep cavity, or an abscess. If you’re experiencing a toothache, you should see your general dentist or an endodontist as soon as possible for emergency treatment. If you are not able to see a

dental professional right away, then here are 5 ways to manage your toothache until you can get treatment. 

1.Brush your teeth. 

Sometimes a toothache is caused by food particles trapped in the teeth. Brush your teeth to see if dislodging food from the affected area provides any relief of your pain. Brush gently to avoid causing any additional irritation. 

2.Floss your teeth. 

It may also help to floss your teeth. If there are food particles stuck between your teeth or in the space between a tooth and your gums, flossing to remove them may relieve your toothache. Be sure to floss gently to avoid further discomfort. 

3.Rinse your mouth with warm salt water.

Try a warm salt water rinse. Take a teaspoon of salt and 8oz warm water and rinse you mouth to dislodge any food particles and to keep your mouth moist. Avoid using hot or cold water which can trigger further sensitivity for a tooth with an inflamed nerve. Salt water may also help in cases where the symptoms may be from a soft tissue injury or sore.

4.Apply ice to your face.

Applying ice to the side of your face where you feel the toothache may provide some pain relief. Ice can reduce swelling and inflammation associated with infection. However, this is only a temporary remedy. If there is swelling, you must seek help from a dental professional right away.

5.Take a pain reliever. 

For mild-moderate tooth pain, take the recommended dosage of the over the counter pain medication, such as Advil (ibuprofen) or Tylenol (acetaminophen). These may provide some relief, but a severe toothache may not improve just with the recommended non-prescription dose. 

When to Seek Professional Treatment 

If a toothache persists even after you have tried the above remedies, it is time to seek professional treatment. It is best not to wait because the sooner an infected or damaged tooth is treated, the greater the likelihood that the tooth will be able to be saved. When a toothache occurs after hours, the severity of your pain will determine if the tooth needs emergency treatment or if it can wait until the next day. 

Frequently Asked Questions About Toothache Treatment 

What if the toothache comes and goes? 

It is common for a tooth to hurt at times and not at other times. This often indicates that there is a crack in the tooth somewhere that you may not be able to see. Even if your pain comes and goes, it is always best to have a toothache examined to determine if treatment is necessary. 

Does a toothache mean a root canal is necessary? 

In most cases a persistent toothache indicates a need for a root canal treatment. However, there are some exceptions to this rule. It is important that the tooth be examined by a dental professional to determine the proper diagnosis and the best course of treatment. 

Contact Advanced Endodontics for Toothache Treatment

Advanced Endodontics provides emergency treatment for toothaches. During regular office hours contact us as soon as possible to discuss your symptoms and make an appointment. After hours, if your pain is severe, contact us and follow the instructions on the after hours voicemail. 

It may surprise you how closely linked your oral health is to your overall wellness. Your teeth, the soft tissues of your mouth, and your jaw are all part of your oral health and their condition can indicate a wide variety of other health issues. Learn how your mouth can serve as a warning system to your overall health. 

The Link Between Oral Health and Heart Disease

Relatively recent research has shown that there is a correlation between oral health and heart disease. People with chronic or untreated gum disease and tooth decay are twice as likely to suffer from heart disease. Why is this? 

"Periodontal disease increases the body's burden of inflammation," says periodontist Dr. Hatice Hasturk of the Harvard-affiliated Forsyth Institute, a not-for-profit research organization focused on oral health. “Acute inflammation, which involves an outpouring of immune cells that attack irritants and microbial invaders, fosters healing over the short term. But long-term (chronic) inflammation is a key contributor to many health problems, especially atherosclerosis.

To date, there's no proof that treating gum disease will prevent cardiovascular disease or its complications. But the connection is compelling enough that dentists (and many doctors) say it's yet another reason to be vigilant about preventing gum disease in the first place.” 

The Link Between Diabetes and Oral Health 

Medical research has also shown a correlation between diabetes and gum disease. It is not certain which one may be the cause of the other. But diabetes results in higher levels of sugar in the body, which can be present in your saliva. A high sugar content in saliva can lead to an increase in plaque on the teeth, which can cause gum disease and tooth decay. 

Again we must consider diet. A diet high in sugar may increase the risk of diabetes and is associated with higher body weight. It also increases the amount of plaque that builds up on the teeth, which we already know increases the risk of developing gum disease. 

Warning Signs From Your Mouth 

Here are some of the signs you may notice that indicate your oral health is suffering: 

• Toothache. A toothache often indicates that there is an infection inside the tooth. This can occur due to severe tooth decay. 
• Red or swollen gums. Gum disease causes the gum tissue to swell and turn red due to inflammation. 
• Bleeding gums. Your gums may bleed when you brush your teeth due to gum disease. 
• Loose or missing teeth. Advanced gum disease can cause your gums to pull away from the teeth and damage the jaw bone so that your teeth become loose and even fall out. 
• Tooth decay. Severe or widespread tooth decay indicates that there is an excessive amount of plaque on your teeth. 
• Bad breath. Bad breath results from abnormally high levels of bacteria in the mouth. 

How Can I Keep My Mouth and Body Healthy? 

There are many ways to prevent health issues that affect both your mouth and body: 

• Regular teeth cleanings. It is important to have your teeth professionally cleaned every 6 months, along with an oral evaluation to assess the health of your mouth. 
• Good oral hygiene habits. You need to take good care of your teeth between professional cleanings by brushing and flossing daily. 
• Treat tooth decay promptly. If your dentist detects a cavity, get it filled as soon as possible. Without treatment a cavity will only become deeper and larger, which increases the risk of infection. An infected tooth should be treated right away with root canal therapy to save the tooth and prevent the spread of infection. 
• Healthy diet. Eating a healthy diet can improve your oral health as well as your overall health and wellness, reducing your risk of heart disease and diabetes. 
• Exercise. Regular exercise is also important for heart health and maintaining a healthy body weight. 

Frequently Asked Questions About Oral Health and Wellness

How often should you brush your teeth? 

We recommend brushing your teeth twice a day for at least 2 minutes every day. You should also floss once a day to remove plaque from the spaces between your teeth and along the gumline. 

How urgent is a root canal? 

If your dentist or endodontist recommends a root canal, it is best to get it done as soon as possible. An infected tooth will only worsen without treatment. And proactively treating a tooth that is at risk of infection can prevent pain and save the tooth. 

Improve Your Oral Health With Help From Advanced Endodontics 

Endodontic treatment can restore the health of a damaged or infected tooth. Tooth infection is another indication that your mouth is not as healthy as it should be. Advanced Endodontics provides a wide range of endodontic services that can restore the health of your teeth and help you keep your natural teeth in place. 

Contact us today to learn more and schedule an appointment. 

One of the most important parts of your overall health and wellness is your mental health. Recent studies are pinpointing a specific link between mental health and oral health. But what does one have to do with the other? 

There are a variety of mental illnesses that can affect oral health and hygiene habits. Here’s what you need to know about the connection between oral health and mental health and how that may affect you. 

What is Mental Health? 

Mental health is the term that refers to a person’s emotional, psychological, and social wellness. If you are in a state of good mental health, it means that you are able to function well in your community and that you feel emotionally stable. You are able to cope with the ups and downs of life with relative ease and normal behaviors. 

Poor mental health can mean that you are not emotionally stable and that the stresses of life can make it difficult for you to function normally and remain productive. It can negatively impact personal relationships as well as your professional life. 

What is Oral Health?

Oral health refers to the health of your mouth, including your teeth, soft tissues, and jaw. Good oral health is defined by healthy teeth, healthy gums and other soft tissues of the mouth, and proper mobility of your jaw for chewing and speaking purposes. Oral health also means the absence of abnormalities that could indicate the presence or risk of oral cancer. 

Signs of poor oral health include gum disease, tooth decay, TMJ disorder, or abnormal tissue growth. Loose or missing teeth is another indication of poor oral health. 

Mental Illnesses and How They Impact Oral Health

Here are some examples of mental illnesses and how they can have an negative impact on a person’s oral health: 

• Anxiety. A person may suffer from general anxiety or specific dental anxiety that causes them to avoid going to the dentist for routine care or necessary dental treatment. 
• Bipolar disorder. Bipolar disorder is characterized by severe mood swings that can affect a person’s ability to care for their teeth. People who suffer from bipolar disorder often brush their teeth too vigorously, which can wear away tooth enamel and gum tissue. 
• Depression. A common symptom of depression is a lack of self care, and that often includes dental hygiene. Severe depression can cause a person to stay in bed for days and neglect their normal hygiene habits. 
• Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. Obsessive compulsive disorder can cause a person to have unwanted obsessions, such as excessive teeth brushing. A person may brush their teeth too vigorously, too often, and for too long to the point where the enamel wears away the gum tissue becomes inflamed and recedes. 

How Taking Medication for Mental Illness Can Affect Oral Health 

Some medications that are prescribed for mental illness can cause dry mouth, a condition that results in a lack of saliva production. Dry mouth can cause a variety of dental and oral health issues including tooth decay and gum disease. When there is not enough saliva to effectively buffer the acids in your mouth that the bacteria is producing, you will get tooth decay.

Making Mental and Oral Health a Priority 

If you struggle with mental health, you are not alone. 1 in 4 adults in America will have a diagnosable mental illness in any given year. The key is to be aware of it and seek treatment so that you can feel better and function more effectively. Talk therapy as well as medication can help with most mental disorders. When mental health is recognized and treated, it reduces the chances that your oral health will suffer as a result. Talk to your primary care physician or your dentist about your mental health concerns. 

Why Choose Advanced Endodontics?

An endodontist is a dentist who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of conditions affecting the health of the teeth, specifically the dental pulp. Dental pulp is the soft tissue at the center of each tooth that provides sustenance to a live tooth. When the dental pulp becomes infected or is at risk of infection, root canal therapy or other endodontic services may be used to restore the health of the tooth. 

If you have one or more severely decayed teeth, Advanced Endodontics can provide the necessary treatment to give you the best chance of saving the affected teeth. We offer a range of sedation options to help you feel relaxed and comfortable. 
Contact us today to learn more and schedule an appointment at one of our 6 convenient locations.

Oral health is the term that refers to the general health of your mouth, including your teeth, gums, tongue, soft tissues, and jaw. While dental health refers specifically to your teeth, oral health includes the rest of your mouth and the support structures for your teeth. 

Do you want to have excellent oral health? Numerous studies have shown that oral health is an indicator of overall health and wellness. Having good oral health reduces your risk of diabetes, heart disease, and some cancers. 

In order to achieve and maintain optimal oral health, there are some essential tools that can help make that possible. Here’s what you need. 

Basic Must-Have Oral Health Products

These are the basic tools and products that everyone should have and use on a daily basis to maintain their oral health: 

• Toothbrush. You need at least one toothbrush with soft or medium bristles. Be sure to choose a quality toothbrush that is labeled ADA for the American Dental Association. Brush your teeth at least twice a day, once in the morning and once at night to remove plaque and prevent tooth decay and gum disease. 
• Toothpaste. In order for brushing your teeth to be effective, you need to use toothpaste. Choose a fluoride toothpaste that is designed to prevent cavities. If you have specific oral health concerns, ask your dentist to recommend a type of toothpaste for you. 
• Floss. It is also important to floss between all of your teeth. This removes food particles and plaque from the spaces between your teeth and along your gums to prevent tooth decay and gum disease. 

Deluxe or Luxury Items to Optimize Oral Health 

The following products are not necessary for everyone to achieve and maintain optimal dental health, but they can make oral care easier and help with specific oral health concerns: 

• Mouthwash. Mouthwash is not necessary for oral health, but it can reduce the amount of bacteria in your mouth and reach every part of your mouth, even the smallest spaces. It can also freshen your breath. 
• Dental picks/floss sticks. If you have trouble using string floss, dental picks and flossing sticks allow you to clean between your teeth to remove food particles and plaque. 
• Superfloss. Superfloss is extra wide and spongy to more effectively clean larger spaces between teeth. It also has a reinforced end that makes it easier to thread under dental prosthetics and orthodontic appliances. 
• Oral irrigator. Also known as a waterpik or water flosser, an oral irrigator is a tool that sprays water in a pressurized, concentrated stream that is effective at cleaning between your teeth and under dental prosthetics. 
• Tongue scraper. A tongue scraper is primarily used to freshen your breath by removing bacteria from the tongue. It can also improve your oral health by reducing bacteria that causes tooth decay and gum disease. 
• Different shaped toothbrushes. It may help to have toothbrushes with different shaped heads and bristles. These can help keep dental prosthetics clean, as well as orthodontic appliances. 

The Importance of Professional Dental Care 

In addition to oral care at home, it is necessary to see your dentist every 6 months for professional cleanings and oral examinations. No matter how well you clean your teeth, there may still be some plaque left behind on your teeth that only your dentist can see and remove. Dental diagnostics, such as X-Rays, are also important for the detection and diagnosis of oral health concerns. 

When Should I See an Endodontist? 

You may need to see an endodontist if you have a tooth that needs special treatment. An infected tooth or a tooth that is at risk of infection may need a root canal. Other endodontic procedures may be used to save a tooth that is not developing properly or that is deteriorating for some reason. 

Advanced Endodontics provides specialized dental care that can often save one or more of your teeth. We can also recommend oral care products that can help you maintain your oral health and avoid future endodontic treatment. 

Call 407-347-6874 or contact us today to learn more and schedule an appointment.