A toothache can ruin your day, whether you’re an adult or a child. This isn’t a blind statement; it’s fact. A study by Ostrow School of Dentistry at USC found that kids with toothaches, overall, have lower grades. The researchers also determined that toothaches are responsible for students missing school an average of 2 days per year, which leads to parents missing work to care for their kids. Adults experience similar problems. According to Delta Dental, workers take off over 64 million hours per year because of dental pain and dentist visits.
So what causes toothaches? How can you and your children avoid them? Brighton family dentists, Drs. Villani and Kondrat, want you to understand how to prevent dental problems, so you and your kids can enjoy every day, toothache-free!
These 5 issues are common causes of toothaches and oral pain.
- Dental cavities
Cavities, dental caries, and tooth decay are all the same thing. In short, a cavity is a decayed portion of a tooth. When bacteria decay through the enamel of a tooth, into the underlying dentin, you can experience pain and will need a filling or crown. Left untreated, a cavity can extend to the innermost canal of a tooth and infect the nerve. When this happens, a root canal may be necessary to save the tooth from extraction. To reduce your risk for cavities, brush twice a day, floss once a day, use fluoridated mouthwash, limit sugars and starches in your diet, drink plenty of water throughout the day, and attend six-month dental checkups and cleanings. (more…)