Figure 1. Patient feeling unbearable pain from her wisdom tooth.
Table of Contents
Overview
The best way to look after your teeth and gums is to brush twice daily, first thing in the morning before breakfast and last thing in the evening before sleep. Ideally use an electric toothbrush or a soft bristle small head children’s manual toothbrush with a fluoride toothpaste.
It is best to get into a good habit of looking after your mouth with good oral hygiene from an early age to prevent cavities and gum disease. Try to avoid very sugary foods, fizzy drinks, very hot drinks and very cold frozen foods to prevent damage to your teeth.
Brush gently in a vertical motion from the base of the gums to the other end of the teeth at the top and bottom, all the way round the mouth. Clean in between the teeth with dental floss or small interdental brushes or better still a water flosser to get under the gums. It is also good to use a mouthwash, but not straight after brushing the teeth.
Try to have regular dental check-ups, especially if you are a pregnant female or have diabetes mellitus type 2. Do not smoke cigarettes.
If you do not regularly take good care of your teeth and the mouth, you could experience cavities and gum disease. Your teeth can decay if you do not remove the debris from the leftover of the eaten food. If left untreated, cavities can cause tooth pain and cause the tooth to become infected and eventually tooth loss.
Gum disease is very common and occurs when plaque collects along the gum line. Gum disease is the infection of the gum tissue that supports your teeth. It can cause the teeth to become loose over time. There is now some evidence that gum disease is related to heart disease.
If your gums are red, swollen, sore and bleeding or the teeth are loose and painful, you will need to see the Dental Surgeon.
If you have a dental problem that requires treatment on the National Health Service (NHS), try contacting your Dentist for an appointment. Presently this might not be easy to do for urgent treatment in an emergency because of a whole host of factors.
If you encounter difficulties, you have a couple of options. One is to call NHS Medical Helpline 111 for their advice. Secondly you could try the Dental Helpline on 01788 539 780. This is a charitable service offering advice, help and reassurance on oral health care and wellbeing.
Symptoms
There are several signs and symptoms that indicate whether you need dental treatment. See your Dentist if:
- you have bad breath
- your mouth tastes like metal
- your gums are swollen, bleeding and aching
Figure 2. Patient trying to relieve toothache with an ice pack.
There are several signs and symptoms that indicate whether you need urgent dental treatment: Pain with/without swelling are the most pressing ones. You should seek urgent dental care from a Dentist in an emergency when:
- Your gums are shrinking
- You have a loose tooth
- you have lost a tooth
- you have severe tooth ache that you cannot bear
- your jaw has become swollen
- you have a dental abscess
- your mouth ulcer (canker sore) is not getting better
- you have constant headaches (as your teeth and brain are connected)
- your tooth has gone numb
- you feel very tired possibly due to an oral infection
- you have a lump in your mouth or on your lip
Figure 3. Patient experiencing teeth/gum pain due to swollen jaw on the right-hand side of the face
Causes
Gum disease is very common and occurs when plaque collects on the teeth along the gum line. If the plaque is not removed regularly by brushing and flossing, it can build up and irritate the gums to bleed. Gum disease is the infection of the gum tissue that supports your teeth. It can cause the teeth to become loose over time.
Prevention
Form a good habit of looking after your mouth from an early age to prevent cavities and gum disease by:
- brushing your teeth with fluoride toothpaste daily, morning and night
- do not use a mouthwash straight after brushing your teeth
- floss between your teeth
- avoid very sugary foods, fizzy drinks, very hot drinks, and very cold frozen foods
- Do not smoke
Complications
Heart Disease
Further Reading
Gum disease
Written by BK Date written/updated 06.08.22
Reviewed by PJ Date reviewed 13.08.22
