Even if you have exceptional oral hygiene care there will be a day where you experience a toothache. Cavities are typically the main cause of a tooth ache but there are several other factors that could trigger this.

Braces or Dental Alignments

When braces are tightened or adjusted patients typically notice a fair amount of pain. However, this will decrease within a few days. If the pain does persist, you may need your orthodontist to readjust your orthodontic appliance.

Wisdom Teeth

Misaligned teeth can push against each other which causes aches and pain. Wisdom teeth that are impacted and haven’t broken through the gum line can be very painful. Surgery may need to be undergone to fix the impacted wisdom teeth but you will need to discuss this with your orthodontist.

Brushing Your Teeth Incorrectly

Many people press too hard when brushing and flossing their teeth which typically leads to irritated or inflamed gums. When a significant amount of pressure is used every day, the gums will recede, leading to a toothache.

Grinding Your Teeth

People who grind their teeth while sleeping or when stressed typically suffer from toothaches. When you grind your teeth you’ll not only have toothaches but you can experience sore jaw bones, joints, headaches, etc.

Damaged Fillings

Dental fillings protect vulnerable parts of your teeth and when they are damaged, sensitive parts are exposed to food particles and bacteria. The pain could be a dull ache or a piercing sensation. If you notice a damaged filling, make sure to book an emergency appointment with the dentist.

Hot or Cold Foods

Have you ever felt pain after biting into food that is either hot or extremely cold? There’s a good chance that the enamel on your tooth has worn down and the dentin is now exposed.

Fractured Tooth

Fractured teeth often occur when playing sports or biting down on a hard candy. When you feel pain, the fracture probably went up to the middle of the tooth and leads to a serious amount of pain.

Gum Disease

Bleeding gums or pain in the mouth are both signs of gum disease. When this is left untreated, the teeth, gums and bones can be damaged or lost. You’ll need to have surgery to remove the infection from the mouth.

Abscess

If you haven’t seen a dentist about your tooth decay and it grows worse than the root under the surface has most likely become infected too. This typically leads to a serious amount of pain and it can be quite challenging to figure out which tooth it’s from.

Tooth Decay

Tooth decay is by far the leading cause of a toothache.  The decay is typically in the inner layer of the tooth and the dentin becomes extremely sensitive. When the ache turns into a pain, then the tooth decay is probably in the center of the tooth.

If you find yourself with any of the symptoms above but you’re still not sure why you are experiencing a toothache, call Lindner Dental at 603.624.3900. Our dentists will gladly examine your teeth to determine the root of the issue.

Seeing your dentist regularly not only ensures that you have good oral health but it can save you from gum disease and cavities. By purchasing dental insurance, you can prevent yourself and your family from costly surgeries.

Understanding Dental Insurance

If you receive dental insurance through your company, you pay a premium and the insurance company will cover a portion of the dental services.

Dental insurance comes in a few different types of plans:

• Dental Health Maintenance Organization (DHMO) – You must visit an in-network dentist.
• Dental Preferred Provider Organization (DPPO) – You receive coverage with in- or out-of-network dentists.
• Dental Indemnity Plan – You can choose from any dentist with no difference in cost.
• Discount Dental Plan – You pay for all dental services with a discounted rate.

The Importance of Dental Insurance

When you schedule regular dental visits, you can prevent common dental issues such as gum inflammation, bad breath and tooth decay. If you do not treat any of these symptoms, you may end up with more painful problems in the near future. Dental exams will determine whether your dental problems are serious or minimal.

What Will Be Covered?

Typically, dental insurance covers preventative and diagnostic procedures, helping to eliminate more expensive services such as dental disease or surgery. Each service fits into a different category of services, depending on the difficulty and cost.

• Class I: Diagnostic & preventative care such as cleanings and X-rays
• Class II: Basic care such as fillings & root canals
• Class III: Major services such as crowns & dentures
• Class IV: Orthodontics

Dental coverage is also dependent on several other factors and they’re also limited. For example, most plans limit the number of cleanings and exams to two per year. Fluoride treatments are generally covered for children but rarely for adults.

How Does Dental Coverage Work?

Dental coverage is actually quite simple to figure out. All you need to do is pay premiums and your insurance will cover the dental costs. Exams and cleanings are generally covered at 100% while you may need to pay a deductible or copay for other services.

If you have dental insurance and you’re ready to receive our services, contact Lindner Dental at 603.624.3900.

Whether you’ve simply fallen during a physical activity or chewed on a piece of hard candy, a chipped tooth can leave you feeling quite embarrassed. Before you begin to panic, a chipped tooth can always be repaired. There are actually several methods that can be used to get your smile looking back to normal.

Different Kinds of Cracked or Chipped Teeth

Craze lines are one of the more common types of cracked teeth in adults and this really only affects the outer enamel. These are typically shallow and do not cause any pain.

A fractured cusp occurs when part of the tooth’s chewing surface comes off but fortunately, no pain is caused.

Cracked teeth should be treated immediately! A cracked tooth generally extends from the chewing surface directly to the root. If you don’t diagnose and fix the problem, it will grow worse over time.

Well, if you haven’t repaired that cracked tooth, you most likely now have a split tooth. Unfortunately, there will be very apparent segments that are separated and the tooth cannot be saved intact.

Methods to Repair Your Chipped Tooth

1. Dental Bonding

Composite bonding is one of the most popular methods in repairing chipped, cracked or decayed teeth. Once this process is completed, your fixed tooth will last up to an entire decade! The tooth is roughened and a conditioning liquid is put on. Next, putty is applied and molded, and a UV light hardens the composite. Once dried, the material is polished to match the other teeth.

2. Veneers

Porcelain veneers are a bit pricier but aesthetically, they are the most authentic. Veneers are bonded to the front of the teeth and last roughly 30 years.

A portion of the tooth’s structure needs to be removed and then impressions will be taken. You can select the size, shape and shade. You’ll wear temporary veneers while these ones are being made at the lab. Once these are all set, you can have the veneers bonded to the front of your teeth.

3. Crowns

Crowns are necessary when you feel discomfort chewing or drinking. This restorative treatment is used often and acts as a cap that covers the tooth. A crown will prevent you from losing your tooth and stop any pain that occurs during chewing.

4. Root Canal

A root canal must be executed if the crack in your tooth extends into the pulp. A crown should be put on after the procedure to protect the crack. This procedure involves clearing the decayed tooth and removing the nerve.

5. Dental Implant

When you have a crack that goes beneath the gum line, the tooth cannot be treated. Your tooth will need to be pulled out and a dental implant will be needed. Dental implants act as the root of the tooth and are placed in the jawbone.

If you’re suffering from a broken or cracked tooth, contact the team at Lindner Dental at 603.944.9196. We also offer pediatric dentistry, infant dental care, Invisalign and cosmetic dentistry.