Bleeding Gums
Usually there is only one reason that causes bleeding gums, but other predisposing medical conditions can result in this problem too – so it’s always advisable to see a dentist to rule out any other causes. Medical issues aside, sore and bleeding gums become this way because of irritant deposits which remain on the teeth, just on or below the margin of the gums. Your body attempts to fight the onset of infection caused by bacteria harbouring around these deposits by increasing blood flow to the area – so the capillaries in your gums become engorged and swollen. Consequently, when you brush the area, these tiny blood vessels are much more likely to burst and start bleeding.
There are two type of infection that can occur in this situation: periodontal disease, which is caused by the presence of tartar (hard deposits of mineralised plaque), and gingivitis which is caused by plaque (retained food deposits).
A thorough tooth-brushing routine is usually enough to get rid of gingivitis, but tartar is a little harder and requires a proper scaling by your dental hygienist. However, you should visit the dentist in either case to decide upon a more effective oral hygiene routine to prevent further infections.
It is worth mentioning that bleeding gums are much more common amongst pregnant women, whose bodies are more active than usual in warding off bacterial attacks.
If you do suffer from bleeding gums at any point, take it as an indication of where you need to brush more thoroughly. It is tempting to avoid that area because it tends to be more sore, but bear in mind that healthy gums do not bleed.
Holes/Broken Teeth
A hole in a tooth is usually detected when a food-trap or soft tissue irritation (due to a sharp edge) is noticed – or a tooth breaks. A tooth usually breaks for one of two reasons: whilst biting/chewing or by a blow such as a sports injury. A non-sporting break tends to be the result of a tooth collapsing due to the presence of decay which has undermined the remaining hard tooth structure. It can also result from a tooth weakened by multiple fillings or a previous root canal treatment. A sporting injury may result in a clean break in a tooth with no previous history of restoration. In all cases it requires a trip to the dentist to remove any decay present and a restoration, be it a filling or crown.
Toothache/Sensitive Teeth
There are two common types of toothache: short, sharp pain which only lasts a few seconds, usually brought on by a stimulus such as heat, cold or sweets, and longer-lasting pain which is more of an ache. The latter case is sometimes accompanied by a throbbing sensation, and often cannot be traced back to any specific cause. Many people associate this shorter, sharp pain with sensitive teeth, and it is generally the result of the tooth enamel having decayed away, or breeching due to grinding or side-to-side brushing (instead of the recommended up-and-down). Missing enamel exposes dentine, which, when stimulated, transmits directly to the nerve – which we translate as pain. This can be sorted out by filling in the breech in the enamel, or if tooth-brushing technique is to blame then a sensitive toothpaste would be recommended.
A dull ache is more likely to be caused by long-lasting decay causing an infection, which in turn can prevent blood from getting to the tooth and even sometimes exposing the nerve. A root canal treatment may be required, along with antibiotics, or even an extraction. Getting to the dentist quickly is vital, as this can prevent the situation from getting worse.
Abscess
For some, the first signs that you have an abscess is the swelling of the gum or face – often, there is even no pain. But this is caused by an infection and needs to be treated immediately, so you must see a dentist straight away who can determine the cause of the infection, which may not be of dental origin. If it is, antibiotics and a root canal or extraction may be required. Either way, you must get this sorted out straight away because if the swelling spreads to the neck and throat then the airway could be compromised.
Wisdom Tooth Pain
When a wisdom tooth has impacted, and not yet fully erupted, it can cause some real problems because the small flap of gum still covering part of the tooth traps food very easily. When this builds up and causes an infection, it is known as pericoronitis – a very painful condition where the jaw and the area around the tooth are tender and sore. Antibiotics are required to treat the problem immediately, and if it becomes a regular nuisance then it might be a good idea to have the tooth extracted completely.
Jaw Ache/Grinding/TMJ Dysfunction
If you suffer from toothache, but infections and decay have been ruled out, then there is one other possibility: the habit of clenching and grinding teeth. This can be both conscious and unconscious – when awake or when asleep.
You’ll probably be able to tell if this is an unconscious, sleeping habit, because your jaws will be sore when you wake up each morning. The cause of this is often stress, but in some cases it can also be due to a bite imbalance – in which case tooth adjustment can help the problem. Another typical symptom is general tiredness during the day, because using these powerful muscles all night can use a surprising amount of energy. The most common and effective solution is also the simplest: by using a nightguard, the feedback loop is disturbed – the teeth cannot meet their clenched position anymore, and so grinding and clenching no longer produces the desired effect. In some cases this method doesn’t work, in which case mild medication such as muscle relaxants, or even counselling, can help.
Tooth Out
If you are unfortunate enough to have a tooth knocked out whilst playing a sport, then the best thing to do is to fit it back into the socket as quickly as possible. This will ensure that there is the greatest chance possible that it will ‘take’. Rinse it first in milk or water, or, if this is not possible, then suck on it like a sweet to clean it. Either way, make sure that you hold the tooth by the crown and not the root. If this is a front tooth (which is often the case) then you can compare it against adjacent teeth when fitting it back into the socket, to make sure that the position is correct. Once you’re sure it’s in the right place, chew on something soft to keep it there until you can see a dentist who should be able to stabilise it.
If it’s not possible to fit it back into place then simply leave the tooth to soak in some milk, or keep it in your mouth – but time really is of the essence, so get to a dentist as quickly as you can.
Bad Breath
Bad breath, or halitosis, is common first thing in the morning for all of us. Due to poor oxygenation and lack of food and water overnight, the mouth is not well irrigated and bacteria can proliferate. Many dentists see patients whose partners have sent them about bad breath issues, but none seem to be present – because after breakfast and cleaning the teeth bad breath should disappear for the day. However, bad breath can become a problem in its own right too, usually caused buy poor dental hygiene and also diet.
Bad breath is caused by the build-up of bacteria, and not keeping your mouth clean enough will allow this to happen. Always brush thoroughly, including on the tongue, and visit your dentist every few months for a check-up and a clean. Although mouthwashes may help to improve your breath in the sort-term, keeping the area clean enough is still the best solution.
Diet can also affect our breath: garlic, for example, is excreted via the lungs as well as the skin.
Are you overdue for a check-up? If so, don’t put it off – find a local dentist near you by searching for dentists Battersea or dentists SW18.