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Find A Dentist: Frequently Asked Questions

Q. If a pain in a tooth goes away, should you still see a dentist?

A. Either minor or severe pain that goes away may indicate that you have a cracked tooth. A cracked tooth hurts because the pulp, the soft inner tissue of the tooth, is irritated. If treatment is delayed, the tooth may split and be more difficult to treat successfully.

The sudden absence of pain also may be a sign that the nerves of the tooth have died. It might also be due to a chronic infection that is draining. Even if the pain stops, if the pulp is damaged or diseased, pain will likely return and the tooth will require treatment. It is important to find a dentist who can treat the situation.

Q. After a traumatic injury, if teeth aren't chipped or broken but there's bleeding in the gums, is dental care necessary?

A. It's not always easy for people to tell when to seek a dental evaluation. However, if the gums bleed, it's important to see a dentist because the trauma may have caused damage. The tooth may have been "jammed" into the socket and severe problems could develop.

Prompt treatment often prevents more serious problems or complications from developing later. A tooth can develop problems long after the injury, so it's very important to be checked.

Q. What might be the cause of a dull ache in your upper teeth and cheek?

A. It can indicate several conditions. It could be associated with a tooth or gum problem, bruxism (grinding teeth), TMD (temporomandibular disorder), a sinus infection, headache, or salivary gland infection.

Check with your dental provider first, and if it's not related to a dental condition, you will be referred to a physician. Click here to find a dentist who specializes in TMJ/TMD.

Q. What should you do when you have a toothache?

A. Clean your mouth by rinsing with warm water and remove any food that is trapped between teeth with dental floss. Do not apply aspirin on the aching tooth or gum tissues. See your dentist as soon as possible.

Q. What should you do if your tooth is knocked out?

A. If your tooth is knocked out, you should carefully rinse the tooth with water. You should attempt to place the tooth back in its socket and secure it with a wet wrap. If you cannot place the tooth back in its socket, put it in a glass with either saliva or milk. Then you should contact your dentist so you can be seen immediately.

Q. What are extruded teeth?

A. Extruded teeth are teeth that are forced out of position.

Q. What is the treatment for a broken tooth?

A. Rinse the mouth with warm water. Try to remove any dirt, blood, or debris from the injured area using sterilized gauze or a clean cloth and warm water. Apply cold compresses on the face next to the injured tooth to reduce swelling. Cover the tooth with cotton or gauze if the rough edges are cutting you or if it is sensitive to air, and see your dentist immediately.

Q. What should you do if your tooth is pushed out of position?

A. If your tooth is pushed out of place, you should reposition it to its normal alignment using very light finger pressure. You should hold the tooth in place with a moist gauze or tissue. Make sure that a dentist sees you ideally within a half-hour.

Q. What causes a constant throbbing pain in your jaw or tooth?

A. A throbbing pain is usually a symptom from two different causes: either the nerve inside the tooth or the ligament around the tooth is damaged, irritated, or inflamed. A cavity, traumatic injury, or other factor can damage or irritate the pulp inside the tooth.

Severe gum disease affecting the ligament that surrounds and cushions the tooth roots can result in throbbing pain. An erupting tooth, including a third molar or wisdom tooth and TMD are also potential sources of throbbing pain.

Q. What is considered to be a minor tooth fracture?

A. A minor fracture is considered to be a tooth that is only broken in the hard outer enamel part.

Q. How do you treat a minor tooth fracture?

A. Your dentist can smooth a minor fracture with a sandpaper disc or just leave it alone. You can also restore the tooth with a composite restoration if necessary.

Q. What do you consider to be a moderate tooth fracture?

A. A moderate fracture is considered to be damage to the enamel, dentin, and/or pulp of the tooth.

Q. How do you treat a moderate tooth fracture?

A. A moderate fracture can be restored with a full permanent crown if the pulp is not permanently damaged. Sometimes, an onlay or bonding will be appropriate as well. Occasionally, root canal treatment (endodontics) may be required.

+Jim Du Molin is a leading Internet search expert helping individuals and families connect with the right dentist in their area. Visit his author page.

New Dentistry, A Partnership For Your Health And Well Being

A world of opportunities for dental health awaits us in the new dentistry. Using the old dentistry, dentists did their best to provide a high quality of service given the state of knowledge and technology at that time.

Through advancements in treatment, research, and the desire of the dental profession to do more and do it better, the new dentistry has emerged. It is based on a foundation with specific characteristics that are of great benefit to us as consumers.

• Efficiency: Your time and your resources are valuable to you, and your dentist recognizes this. New dentistry treatment techniques and methods have considerably reduced the amount of time that the dental care now takes. The return on your investment in dental health is excellent.
• Comfort: Not only are the dental chairs and the dentistry office environments more comfortable and pleasant, improvements in the use of local anesthetics and new equipment provide more comfort than ever before.
• Collaboration: The dental relationship is now based on the value that you can derive from your dentistry team and what you want for your dental future rather than just on the techniques and procedures your dentist can do. Through continuing education, your dentist has the skills and knowledge to help you make decisions for your dental health in a positive and informed way.
• Predictability: New materials and advances in treatment provide you with opportunities to maintain your dental health throughout your life. With the innovative cosmetic and specialized dentistry approaches to reclaiming teeth that formally would be lost, your dentistry professional can help create and maintain teeth and gums. Predictable treatment, effective prevention methods, and the longevity of treatment are now part of any dental plan.
• Thoroughness: Advances in assessment and diagnosis now enable dentists to make thorough evaluations of your overall dental and oral health. The outcome is a plan for your health that will give you peace of mind, knowing you can have a well-informed dental plan in place.
• Prevention: This characteristic of the new dentistry has received much publicity in recent years. It has been proven over and over again that there are several measures that you can take as a consumer of dental care to create and maintain your dental health in collaboration with your dental team. It bears repeating again -- flossing and brushing combined with regular dental hygiene checks are your greatest allies in maintaining your teeth and a bright smile.
• Precision: The new dentistry utilizes instruments and technologies that are far advanced from what was available even 15 years ago. Both general dentists and specialists have access to technologies that provide precision in diagnosis and treatment. The value for you is higher quality care.

The dental profession has established a strong foundation for a pleasant smile and a healthy dental future for all of us. Dentistry improvements are continuously being made to this foundation. You can choose to avail yourself of these improvements by asking your dentist, "What can help me to maintain my dental health?" Your dentist has the knowledge and the desire to help you.

By Brian DesRoches, PhD

+Jim Du Molin is a leading Internet search expert helping individuals and families connect with the right dentist in their area. Visit his author page.