March 2017 — Dupont Dental | Washington DC Dentist

A bad tooth may be from an abscess, a cavity, a fracture, chip, or several different reasons. One thing is the same, however. A bad tooth can cause a lot of problems relating to your oral health and your health in general. If you suspect that you have a bad tooth, you should consult with a dentist as soon as possible. Otherwise, you’re not only putting your teeth in jeopardy. You’re putting your entire health at risk. So how do you know if you should see a dentist about a tooth problem? Here are five telltale signs that you have a bad tooth.

1. You Have Chronic Halitosis

A rotting tooth commonly causes the smell of rotten breath. It’s possible to have a severe cavity in one of your teeth without being able to see or feel it. But if you seem to have chronic bad breath even though you brush and floss regularly, it’s likely that you have a bad tooth somewhere. A dentist should be able to locate and treat it for you.

2. You Have Severe Pain

A tooth that gives you pain is likely in very bad shape. Your teeth should never hurt. If you are experiencing severe tooth pain, then the nerve endings on that tooth are either exposed or being inflamed by some oral health condition. You can usually get temporary relief with an over-the-counter medication. But for long term treatment, consult a dental professional.

3. The Tooth is Loose

If you have a permanent tooth that is loose, that’s not normal. Your permanent teeth should all be firmly rooted in place. If one or more of your permanent teeth is loose, it’s a strong indicator that the tooth is bad and needs to be checked out by a professional.

4. The Tooth is Discolored

It’s common for teeth to get a little discolored from foods you eat or beverages you drink. But stained teeth and discolored bad teeth look different. First, bad teeth discoloration won’t respond to teeth whitening products or heavy brushing. If your tooth is starting to look gray, brown or black, it’s a bad tooth that needs to be treated immediately.

5. The Tooth Has a Pit or Hole in It

If you can visibly see a pit or a hole in a tooth, or even feel it with your tongue, you probably have a bad tooth that needs to be looked at by a dental professional. Pits or holes are called cavities. Left untreated, they can lead to severe periodontal conditions that only get worse the longer you put it off.

6. You Have Pain When Biting Down

If an area of your teeth gives you pain when you bite down, there’s a bad tooth in there somewhere. The pain may be from an exposed nerve, a chip in the tooth or a jagged edge. Whatever it is, it needs to be remedied as soon as possible.

Whenever you suspect that you have a bad tooth, make sure you consult with your dentist. Otherwise, the condition may spread to adjacent teeth, causing even more problems down the line.

Start Early

You can start developing a routine by cleaning your child’s gums even before his or her teeth begin to emerge. This can be done by gently washing the gumline with a sterile, soft and damp cloth or a gum massager or brusher specifically designed for the task. You can begin brushing as soon as the first tooth appears using a soft bristled toothbrush and the tiniest amount of fluoride toothpaste after each feeding.

Show Them by Example

Giving children a demonstration of proper brushing technique can help them learn how to brush their teeth properly. You can do this using your teeth, or to make it a little more fun, perform the proper brushing technique on your child’s favorite doll to encourage them to do the same for their teeth. You can pretend that the doll is visiting the dentist for the first time, and in your role of a dentist, evaluate its teeth and talk about how to brush teeth properly. You can give your child the opportunity to be the dentist and remind him or her about cleaning both the front and the back of the doll’s teeth.

Finding Plaque with Disclosing Tablets

Not brushing their teeth thoroughly enough is one of the misstep children often make. To show them how brushing properly is what is needed to keep their teeth clean, you may consider buying plaque disclosing tablets. When chewed and mixed with their saliva for 30 seconds, the plaque that is present on the teeth and gumline will be turned red. Making the plaque easily visible will encourage them to work harder at removing it.

Let Your Child Choose a Toothbrush

To continue using bristles that scrub as they should and to avoid the accumulation of bacteria in the brush, it is wise to change your toothbrush as least every three months. To highlight the importance of a new toothbrush and to make the oral routine more fun, you can allow the child to choose his or her toothbrush. Many are geared specifically to children.

Reward Proper Brushing Time

The American Dental Association recommends teeth are to be gently brushed for two full minutes. Being eager to have the task over with, children may brush very quickly and hard for several seconds instead. To make sure that you child is brushing long enough, establish a reward system to give him or her an incentive.

Children who are taught a new skill at an early age are very likely to use it in adulthood. Make sure that your child learns the proper tooth brushing habits that will ensure that he or she always has long-term oral health.

Archive for March 2017

6 Telltale Signs That You Have a Bad Tooth