Dentist

It's a type of dental injury. An accident can cause a chip. So can something much less dramatic, like chomping popcorn. The fix depends on whether the pulp, or part of the tooth that contains blood vessels and nerves, is damaged. If it's not, your dentist will bond a strong resin material to the tooth, replacing the chipped area. If the pulp is at risk, you may need a root canal followed by a veneer or crown.

An adult tooth that doesn't come in properly is "impacted." It usually happens when a tooth is stuck against another tooth, bone, or soft tissue. If it isn't bothering you, a dentist may recommend leaving it alone. But if it hurts or may cause problems later on, an oral surgeon can remove it.

You were playing football without a mouth guard, or chewing, or maybe you don't know how it happened, but now you've got a cracked molar. Can your dentist save the tooth? It depends. If the crack is just on the surface, a filling may do the trick. But if the tooth is sensitive to hot and cold, the problem is more complex. Try to chew on the other side until you see your dentist. If the crack is above the gum line, you may need a root canal and a crown. A deeper crack means the tooth must be pulled though.

Ice cream should taste good, not make you wince when the cold hits your teeth. The first step is to find the cause. It could be cavities, worn tooth enamel or fillings, gum disease, fractured teeth, or exposed roots. Once your dentist figures out the problem, you might need a filling, a root canal, or treatment of your gums to replace tissue lost at the root. Or you might just need a desensitizing toothpaste or strip, or a fluoride gel.

You had 20 primary, or "baby," teeth, and you now have 32 adult teeth. It's rare, but some people have extra teeth, which is called hyperdontia. People who have it usually also have another condition, such as a cleft palate or Gardner's Syndrome (which forms tumors that aren't cancer). The treatment is to get the extra teeth removed and use orthodontics to correct the bite.

The fix orthodontia isn't just for kids. And straightening crooked teeth and aligning your bite doesn't just make for a prettier smile. It can be an key part of improving overall dental health, relieving symptoms like jaw pain. Orthodontists may use braces (metal or trays), aligners, and retainers.

You may not consider a gap between the front teeth a problem at all. Famous people who sport the look include singer Madonna, model Lauren Hutton, and football player turned TV co-host. If you want to correct it, though, your options include orthodontics to move teeth closer together and cosmetic solutions like veneers or bonding.

You might be in the early stages of gum disease (gingivitis) or in the more advanced stage (periodontists). A buildup of plaque, a sticky bacteria, below the gum line causes it. Left untreated, periodontists can cause bone loss, and your teeth might shift or become loose. That can make it harder to chew and even speak. To avoid gum disease, brush and floss daily, and see your dentist for regular cleanings.

Grinding your teeth is called bruxism. Stress is one of the causes. Misaligned teeth or sleep issues can also be culprits among adults. (Among kids, causes can include allergies.) Bruxism can give you headaches, a sore jaw, and cracked or loose teeth. If you grind your teeth at night, ask your dentist to fit you with a mouth guard. If it's a daytime problem, try meditation, exercise, or other ways to curb stress.

If your dentist says your wisdom teeth, or third molars, came in problem-free, count yourself lucky. Most people 90% have at least one wisdom tooth that's impacted, or not able to fully grow in. Problems with your wisdom teeth can cause cavities, damage to neighboring teeth, and gum disease. Wisdom teeth generally come in between the ages of 17 and 25. Your dentist should track their progress. If they become a problem, you may need to get them removed.

No matter how tight the fit, there should always be room for floss between your teeth. If not, you may need to switch to a thinner floss or a waxed one. You can also try a different kind of tool, such as a looped flosser or a dental pick. Experiment until you find a product that works for you, and then use it every day. Flossing is a must for good dental health.

Experts don't know yet if this fashion statement is bad for your teeth. But bonding a decorative metal cover to the teeth with glue not meant for use in your mouth can do damage. And a grill made from less expensive metal than gold or silver could irritate your mouth. Always remove a grill before you eat, and make sure you keep it, and your teeth, clean.

The pulp or pulp chamber is the soft area within the center of the tooth. The tooth's nerve lies within root canals, which lie within the roots or "legs" of the tooth. The root canals travel from the tip of the tooth's root into the pulp chamber, which also contains blood vessels and connective tissue that nourish the tooth.

A tooth's nerve is not vitally important to a tooth's health and function after the tooth has emerged through the gums. Its only function is sensory to provide the sensation of heat or cold. The presence or absence of a nerve will not affect the day-to-day functioning of the tooth.

When nerve tissue or pulp is damaged, it breaks down, and bacteria begin to multiply within the pulp chamber. The bacteria and other decayed debris can cause an infection or abscessed tooth. An abscess is a pus-filled pocket that forms at the end of a tooth's root. In addition to an abscess, an infection in the root canal of a tooth can cause:

► Swelling that may spread to other areas of the face, neck, or head

► Bone loss around the tip of the root

► Drainage problems extending outward from the root. A hole can occur through the side of the tooth, with drainage into the gums or through the cheek into the skin.

A tooth's nerve and pulp can become irritated, inflamed, and infected due to deep decay, repeated dental procedures on a tooth, large fillings, a crack or chip in the tooth, or trauma to the face.

☛ Severe toothache pain upon chewing or application of pressure

☛ Prolonged sensitivity (pain) to hot or cold temperatures (after the heat or cold has been removed)

☛ Discoloration (darkening) of the tooth

☛ Swelling and tenderness in nearby gums

☛ A persistent or recurring pimple on the gums

☛ More than the normally anticipated number of root canals in a tooth (leaving one of them uncleaned)

☛ An undetected crack in the root of a tooth

☛ A defective or inadequate dental restoration that has allowed bacteria to get past the restoration into the inner aspects of the tooth and recontaminate the area

☛ A breakdown of the inner sealing material over time, allowing bacteria to recontaminate the inner aspects of the tooth

The only alternative to a root canal procedure is having the tooth extracted. The tooth would then be replaced with a bridge, implant, or removable partial denture to restore chewing function and prevent adjacent teeth from shifting. These alternatives not only are more expensive than a root canal procedure but require more treatment time and additional procedures to adjacent teeth and supporting tissues.

Root canal therapy is a treatment used to repair and save a tooth that is badly decayed or infected.

A root canal procedure is performed when the nerve of the tooth becomes infected or the pulp becomes damaged. During a root canal procedure, the nerve and pulp are removed, and the inside of the tooth is cleaned and sealed.