Ask The Dental Hygienist

Fractures are a common thing in the world of dentistry. Fractures or cracks occur with all ages, although they are more present in those above the age of 25. They can be very painful, hard to diagnose, yet sometimes easy to treat. There are several types of fractures, which we will look at below.

The first type of crack is known as an oblique supragingival fracture. This fracture is found above the gums, and normally happens when you bite down too hard on something. Normally, this fracture doesn’t involve the nerve. Once the fractured area of the tooth breaks off, the pain will go away. Although the exposed dentin may cause you some pain, you can visit the dentist and have it repaired. If the fracture is large, you may need to have a crown placed on the tooth to prevent further fractures from occurring in that tooth.

The second type of crack exceeds way below the gum line, and is known as an oblique subgingival fracture. Once the fractured piece of tooth breaks off, it normally remains attached to the gums and cause result in terrible pain until you get it removed. Once you have had the piece of tooth removed from the gums, the tooth will be similar to the supragingival fracture. It normally doesn’t affect the nerves, although as a result of the tooth area being lost, you may need to have a root canal to clean out the tooth before having a crown put on it.

The seriousness of this fracture depends on how far it has went beyond the gum line. If it has made it’s way deep into the gum line, you may not be able to save the tooth. The crack can be present for many years, before you start to feel any pain. To be on the safe side, you should go to your regular checkups with your dentist, as he can check for cracks and other problems.

The oblique root fracture is next, although it doesn’t involve the tooth crown at all. This type of fracture is almost always found below the gums, normally under the bone. If a root fracture is found near the crown of the tooth, it will normally prove to be fatal. Sometimes, you can save the tooth with a root canal, even though it is normally lost later on due to an abscess of the bone that surrounds the fracture.

The last type of fracture is the most difficult to deal with. Vertical apical root fractures occur with the tip of the root, and can cause you severe to intense pain, even if you’ve had the nerve removed with a root canal. Even though the nerve may not be present, vertical apical root fractures cause a lot of pain, which occurs in the tooth.

Normally, vertical apical fractures will cause you more pain than any other type of fracture. The resulting pain comes from the fragments putting pressure on the bone, causing the fractured pieces to strain. Just about the only way to get relief from this type of fracture is to get a root canal, as it will ease the pain and get the dead pulp out of the tooth that’s affected with the fracture.

Even though fractures are very common and very painful, you should never put off going to the dentist. Fractures can become more and more serious if you don’t do something about them, which is why you should never hesitate to go to the dentist. Your dentist will be able to diagnose the problem, and fix it before it has the chance to get any worse.

Although it is often the basis for many jokes, Halitosis is not only an embarrassing condition but may potentially be the evidence of a bigger problem in the human body. People who suffer with halitosis need to discover what the problem is and get treatment appropriate for their situation. This condition should not be ignored but should be carefully looked at.

Oral Hygiene

Many people believe that halitosis or bad breath is simply caused by poor oral hygiene and this may be the case. Some people with bad breath simply do not take care of their mouth or teeth. Every person needs to understand that teeth and mouth need to be cared for and cleaned frequently to prevent not only bad breath but other problems as well. Old food particles, bacteria, yeast, plaque and other disgusting things in the mouth will all contribute to halitosis and need to be eliminated by careful cleaning and treatment. This is something each and every person can do without the help of a doctor, dentist or other professional.

Tooth Decay And Oral Infections

Another common cause of halitosis is tooth decay or other oral infections. A person with good oral hygiene that still finds they have a problem with bad breath should make an appointment with their dentist to check for possible causes in the mouth and teeth. The dentist can help take care of problems with the teeth, gums and other oral areas. If the dentist does not find a problem causing the bad breath they will probably refer the patient to a medical doctor.

Medical Causes Of Halitosis

There are many medical conditions that can cause Halitosis. It may be as simple as a person’s dietary intake or may be something more severe. A person with chronic Halitosis should see a doctor to make sure there is not an underlying medical condition that requires treatment. A doctor will be able to perform and order tests to rule out many of the causes of Halitosis.

Sometimes a medication may have the side effect of causing Halitosis. In this case a doctor can quickly determine the cause and can offer suggestions for getting the problem under control. Doctors are well aware of the fact that bad breath is not always a matter of poor hygiene and will be very understanding in helping a person to deal with the situation. It will be a great relief for both the person with the bad breath and those that have frequent contact with them to have the problem solved.