Blog
Charleston Dentist explains one of the most common oral health problems – your gums are puffy and/or bleed when you brush or floss
It happens to many of us. We wake up in the morning, brush our teeth with our eyes half open and then we notice it. A little bit of blood on the toothbrush. We rinse the toothbrush and try again, but it’s still there. It may be so common that we don’t really think anything of it. Maybe we notice that our gums feel a little bit tender or are puffy and swollen. When these things happen, it’s a sign that you could have gum disease, also called periodontal disease. While gum disease is common, you should still take it … Continue reading
Why do regular visits with your Charleston dentist matter?
A healthy mouth doesn’t just happen. It requires patients to be diligent about brushing and flossing, regular visits to the dentist, and limiting food and beverages that can be harmful to your teeth. Many patients understand that at-home care is important. However, they may find themselves wondering if those twice a year visits to the dentist are necessary. Dr. Andrew Greenberg, of Mouth Carolina Dentistry, PA in Charleston, SC, assures patients that regular checkups are vital to a happy and healthy smile. These visits are important for several reasons. First, during a check-up, you will receive a professional cleaning by … Continue reading
Cavities
Brushing and flossing our teeth is not only important for tackling bad breath and keeping our teeth looking great, but it can also help us prevent the development of cavities. Cavities are essentially holes and decay that occur in our teeth when bacteria, plaque, acids, sugars, and other harmful materials settle on our teeth and slowly eat away at the outer enamel. A cavity can go deep into the inner portion of the tooth, affecting the nerves and dental pulp and resulting in excruciating pain. At this point, root canal therapy may be needed. Smaller cavities and decay can be … Continue reading
Bad Breath
No one wants bad breath, but some of us may suffer from it and don’t know why. While eating garlic or smoking are obvious contributors to bad breath, some of us may have bad breath for no clear apparent reason. Bad breath, also known as halitosis, can be addressed with good dental and oral care. Patients who have chronic bad breath may be able to use medical-grade rinses and mouthwashes in order to address persistent problems. Most cases of bad breath stem from food particles and bacteria in the mouth. The easiest way to address bad breath such as this … Continue reading
Abscessed Teeth
An abscessed tooth is an extremely painful infection that can occur in a patient’s mouth. It can be caused by tooth decay if left untreated and reaches the dental pulp, which resides inside the enamel of a tooth. This area can become infected and swell up, causing an abscess to form. This abscess can be extremely painful and will require professional help to resolve. Other than the excruciating pain that a patient may feel when an abscess is affecting their tooth, patients may also have the following symptoms: a fever hot and cold sensitivities redness and inflammation on the gums … Continue reading
What causes a tooth ache?
A “toothache” is typically thought of by dentists to represent an issue detected by the nerve of the tooth. This issue is most commonly caused by bacterial tooth decay or dental caries. As the bacteria and their caustic acids and by-products draw closer to the dental pulp (the nerve, vascular, and lymph tissue in the center of each living tooth,) the pulp responds with varying degrees of inflammation which typically correlate to the distance from the decay to the nerve. This feeling can begin with a minor cold sensitivity and progress to a severe “sharp” and “stabbing” pain which can … Continue reading
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 … Continue reading
If I get a tooth ache – What should I do and not do?
A tooth ache can be caused by a number of issues; therefore it is hard to advise someone what to do for their situation without knowing the cause of the ache or pain. The most common tooth ache causes I see and diagnose are pulpal (tooth nerve) irritation secondary to deep decay, pulpal irritation secondary to either hyper occlusion (a tooth being too high) or clenching/grinding, and lastly bone and periodontal infection due to bacteria traveling though the pulp at the center of the tooth into the supporting structures below. The most typical presentation for a tooth ache caused by … Continue reading
Does a tooth ache mean I have other bad teeth?
Most often when a person has a tooth ache it is caused by decay. Tooth decay, or dental caries, is caused by bacteria that inhabit human being’s mouths. Whether or not that bacteria causes decay is based on dietary, personal habits (ex. smoking, chewing tobacco) and how effective a person’s oral hygiene regimen is. It is best to brush three times a day and floss at least twice a day to keep minimal bacteria and food from adhering to the teeth. It is also advisable to limit drinks containing simple sugars and candies to keep the bacteria more at bay. … Continue reading
When a Charleston dentist may assist patients with urgent dental care
Accidents happen. They are unexpected and, when they occur to the mouth, can be extremely painful. Whether it’s a knocked out tooth or a severe toothache that keeps a patient up all night, Charleston dentist, Dr. Greenberg, can help with urgent dental care needs. Patients of Mouth Carolina Dentistry, PA can rely on emergency dental services through our practice. We provide a variety of treatments that can assist patients in getting comfortable and restoring their smile. Toothaches If a toothache is the result of a deep cavity, infection, or abscess, we can perform a root canal as soon as possible … Continue reading
