How can I prevent tooth ache?

Often I am asked by patients what they can do to prevent a tooth ache. There are actually many things that can be done to keep bacteria from decaying your teeth which is one of the most common causes of a tooth ache. First and foremost you should ideally brush your teeth after each meal or portion of food or drink that contains sugar. Realistically most people don't brush this much but one should brush at least once in the morning and once right before bed to minimize the risk of decay. In addition to this flossing daily is absolutely mandatory for preventing decay. Most patients I see that need fillings have decay in between their teeth which is caused by food and bacterial particles remaining in those contacts for long periods of time (read: lack of flossing or flossing incorrectly). In some cases I've even seen entire teeth fall apart from decay which entered through the "interproximal" spaces or spaces in between the teeth. I cannot stress enough the importance of flossing regularly.

Another general way to prevent a tooth ache is to have an examination by a qualified dentist to find out if you have any signs of bruxism or grinding/clenching your teeth. If you are doing any of these things you may benefit from a dental night guard to prevent teeth as well as muscles from aching. If you play sports you should absolutely have a custom made dental mouth guard from your dentist present while you play to lessen the risk of tooth injury from traumatic events. The best way, however, to prevent a tooth ache, along with the above strategies, is to see your dentist every 6 months for a cleaning and exam to find any potential issues before they get big enough to cause a tooth ache.

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