Sometimes, pain or discomfort around your teeth and gums can be hard to pinpoint to a particular area or cause. We’ve put together a list of some of the most frequent problems that people come across with their teeth, as well as some of the signs that suggest professional advice is needed to help maintain good oral health.
Toothache
A toothache can be a sign of several different problems, which is why you shouldn’t leave it to go away on its own. Some of the most common causes for toothache include:
- Tooth decay caused by dental decay or erosion
- Impacted teeth – which cannot fully come through due to lack of space
- Cracked or damaged teeth
Generally, if you experience toothache that lasts longer than a few days, we would always advise that you seek professional advice from a dentist.
Sensitive teeth
Tooth sensitivity is a term we’re all familiar with, but often we don’t understand the reasons we experience this. It is common for people to experience sensitivities to temperature or certain types of food, especially as you age, because the protective layer of enamel has worn away. This can also be caused by acid erosion from certain food and tooth abrasion (brushing your teeth and gums too hard).
If you have a cracked tooth, this can cause sensitivity. It can suggest you are grinding or clenching your teeth which leads the tooth to wear down over time.
Gums
Our gums can be just as problematic as teeth if we don’t look after them. If you let your oral hygiene lapse, forgetting to brush and floss twice a day, you may suffer from gingivitis, or bleeding gums. This is not a sign to stop brushing but the reverse. Pay extra attention to massaging your toothbrush gently around the gum line and, use floss or a mini brush to clean between your teeth. Each tooth has five sides which all need cleaning!
In some cases, you might not notice certain changes to your teeth or gums until they have started to cause you pain or irritation. Receding gums are usually caused by a bacterial infection or from brushing too hard. The good news is that, if you notice these signs early on, you can make adjustments to your oral hygiene routine. However, sometimes teeth that are badly positioned can affect the gums, as they are harder to clean. For this you could seek an orthodontic solution to address the positioning of your teeth which will make your teeth easier to brush and floss effectively.
Teeth grinding at night
Some people find themselves grinding or clenching their teeth because they are feeling stressed or worried but, for many, this can be something that occurs during sleep without their knowledge. You might notice some physical symptoms such as tension or pain around your head or jaw in the mornings, or that your teeth have become increasingly sensitive. This is not simply a bad habit, teeth grinding can have an impact on the position of your teeth. Asif’s specialist training means he can devise a solution for you if you suffer with this problem, so please do not hesitate to contact us.
Preventative oral health
At The London Lingual Orthodontic Clinic, we’re passionate about helping you to achieve straight teeth and a healthy bite and we can also provide dental hygiene services to help you maintain healthy teeth and gums.
Our reassuring hygienists can advise you on how to keep your teeth and gums clean when you have braces and provide the extra level of dental care to help you feel confident and ready to smile.
If you think it might be time to visit a hygienist, or need advice around discomfort affecting your teeth, get in touch with the team today to discuss your options.
