Sunday, December 26, 2010

Are You Enduring A Toothache And Need Answers?

Many people wait until a toothache becomes severe before they decide to seek professional care says Marietta, GA dentist.  There are many reasons for the delay, but most people hold off on treatment due to busy lifestyle, fear, or money.  All three with a little planning can be overcome. Teeth are like cars; they are either maintained or an emergency breakdown is in the future. Avoid a more costly emergency to the dentist. Regular dental visits are not only better for your overall health, but your pocket-book as well.
More and more, it is common knowledge that gum disease has been linked to heart disease, stroke, diabetes and other serious health issues. So, for those of you that think you do not have the time to visit the dentist regular basis, you may be making detrimental choices for your overall health.
A toothache, odontalgia is caused by many different conditions.   The most common is dental caries, a cavity that has progressed near or into the nerve tissue.  Cracked tooth, an abscess, periodontal (gum) disease, an exposed root from gum recession, trauma, wisdom teeth, and TMJ are just to name a few more.  The pain often comes from inflammation of the nerve inside the tooth.
If normal chewing radiates severe pain, or your tooth is sensitive to hot and cold or swelling has occurred, it is time to seek professional care.  Although some discomforts in the mouth can be treated with over-the-counter with medications, a severe toothache usually require a trip to the dentist.  Swelling, fever, severe pain, discharge around the tooth are signs you need help.  If your dentist tells you that your tooth is infected, he may drain the infection by placing a surgical opening in the gums for the abscess to drain.  You may also require root canal therapy to clean out the infection inside your tooth.  The root canal may be done in as little as one appointment, although it is also common to require more visits.  If the tooth is deemed hopeless by your dentist, the only option is an extraction.  Although a root canal to save your tooth is preferred over extracting it, both should solve your immediate problem. Once a tooth is extracted, it is gone for good and can adversely begin to affect the teeth left in your mouth.
Should your dentist decide a simple filling or crown will stop the pain, then perhaps an old restoration has begun to leak causing sensitivity and pain.  A dentist will usually decide to restore your tooth with a simple filling, unless the tooth has little supporting structure after the decay or old filling is removed, then a crown will be advised.
Antibiotics are often prescribed when infection is present.  It is important that other medical conditions, such as TMJ (tempromandibular joint), sinusitis, ear and throat infections are not confused with a toothache.  Pain can be referred along nerves in the mouth and jaw making people believe they have a toothache.  Your dentist has ways to test if a tooth needs treatment.
The dentist offices of today are much different from years past.  Techniques to control discomfort in the office and when a patient returns home have much improved.  Nitrous Oxide gas, commonly referred to as laughing gas can be administered by your dentist for analgesic and anesthetic effects. This helps to relieve anxiety and discomfort.   Topical anesthetic is commonly used before injections helping numb the area.  Many dentists user a smaller gauge needle to administer anesthesia believing it to cause the less discomfort.  Techniques for delivery of anesthesia, such as the rate injection may also help with pain.  Sedation dentistry can be also be an option.
Many patients put off seeing a dentist due to inability to pay.  Companies such as Care Credit, Chase Health Advance and Wells Fargo Health Advantage offer a comprehensive range of payment programs making it possible to receive care now, and pay over time.
If a nagging toothache is bothering you, don't let your busy schedule hold you back from seeking dental treatment. Realize the over-all health benefits of regular dental visits and move it to the top of your to-do list.  If you have fear of dental pain, remember the dental offices have come a long way from years past and are better at keeping a patient comfortable.  If money is the problem, a loan is well worth the investment to your health.  If you are enduring a nagging toothache, don't hesitate to fix it.

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