Have you ever bitten into something, a cupcake, ice cream, or taken a sip of hot coffee only to experience a sharp pain in your tooth? Sensitivities to hot, cold, or sweet foods or drinks indicate that you may have a cracked, decaying, or infected tooth. Luckily, these are easily fixed with a trip to the dentist. So, let’s take a closer look at what makes a tooth sensitive to cold, hot, or sweet foods.

Why is my tooth sensitive to hot and cold?

While the most common reason for a tooth being sensitive to hot and cold is a cavity, there are several other explanations for this discomfort. So, let’s look.

• Symptoms of Sensitive Teeth

If you experience a quick, sharp pain while consuming something cold, hot, or sweet, or while flossing or brushing your teeth, you have teeth sensitivity and may contact our professionals to get help. However, not all tooth sensitivity is the same. Some may feel pain occasionally, while others may experience discomfort each time they eat. Either way, it is essential to understand first what is causing the sensitivity.

• Causes of Tooth Sensitivity to Cold and Heat

There are several reasons you may be experiencing a tooth sensitive to cold or teeth that hurt when eating sweets. First, you may have a cavity, or another form of tooth decay, such as a fractured tooth, the beginnings of a cavity that shows up as a black spot on your tooth, worn-down enamel, fillings that need repair, or gum disease.

Individuals with healthy teeth have protective layers such as a coating outside the tooth called tooth enamel and cementum, which guards the tooth’s roots under the gum. These layers defend against bacteria and shield the nerves in your teeth and gums found in the Dentin of the tooth from acid or foods of different temperatures.

If you wear down these layers, you expose the Dentin or nerve center of the tooth, which then sends out a sharp pain if it comes into contact with hot, cold, or sweet foods.

• Does Cold Sensitivity Mean Root Canal?

Because there are different tooth decay stages, having a tooth sensitive to cold or a tooth sensitive to cold water does not automatically mean you’ll need a root canal. Typically the dentist will recommend other treatments first.

• Can Tooth Sensitivity Go Away?

Depending on the cause of your tooth sensitivity, your dentist can prescribe oral care or perform dental procedures to prevent further sensitivity and alleviate the pain.

Common Reasons a Tooth Is Sensitive To Cold

You may feel a sharp pain in your mouth when you consume something cold like ice cream or ice water. Below are a few reasons why your tooth is sensitive to cold but not hot foods.

• Receding Gums

Exposure to the tooth’s inner nerve can lead to cold sensitivities, which is why your tooth will hurt when drinking cold water. As a result, individuals with receding gums that expose tooth roots are more likely to have cold sensitivities.

• Overzealous Product Use

Brushing too vigorously or using a toothbrush with hard bristles can lead to the removal of enamel or cause receding gums.

• Grinding Teeth and Stress

Individuals under stress tend to clench or grind their teeth. Besides wearing your teeth and enamel down, this can cause fractures, leading to sensitivity.

• Cracks in Teeth

Cracks in your teeth can result from grinding or biting down on something hard. The fissure then creates a way for the cold to reach the tooth root, leading to cold sensitivities.

• Exposed Nerve Roots

Exposed root nerves occur due to worn down enamel or receding gums and are more sensitive to cold items.

Common Reasons a Tooth Is Sensitive to Heat

Having one tooth sensitive to cold is common, as is having your teeth hurt when eating sweets. However, having your teeth sensitive to hot foods or drinks is a little more concerning.

Tooth Decay or Gum Disease

While having a tooth sensitive to cold could signify gum disease or cavities, a tooth sensitive to hot things could indicate that the nerve inside the tooth is going bad or is dying and forming an abscess.

How To Treat Sensitive Teeth

There are several ways to treat and prevent sensitive teeth, so let’s look:

• How To Prevent Enamel Damage & Receding Gums

You can easily prevent enamel damage and receding gums by brushing gently with a toothbrush with soft bristles. This way, you can clean and protect your teeth without removing enamel and raising your gum line to expose your roots.

• How Dentists Can Help With Dental Sensitivity

Dentists help in several ways in combating dental sensitivity. For example, they may clean your teeth with fluoride gel that helps fight cavity-causing bacteria and strengthen tooth enamel. Alternatively, the dentist may perform a gum graft to cover the exposed area and reduce sensitivity if tooth roots are exposed. Lastly, they may perform a root canal if your root nerve is infected.

• At-Home Tooth Sensitivity Solutions

You can prevent tooth sensitivity at home by changing your diet and avoiding sugary or acidic foods, like orange juice. Additionally, brushing your teeth twice daily, flossing regularly, and chewing sugar-free gum after each meal will help.

How To Stop Sensitive Teeth Pain Immediately?

The best way to stop pain caused by sensitivity caused by a tooth sensitive to cold, hot, or sweet treats, is to visit your dentist. However, if you don’t have an oral hygienist, we recommend our dentist for US clients, Summerlin Dentist, for expert oral care.

How Often Should I Replace My Toothbrush?

Whatever the type of toothbrush you use to clean your teeth, it will become worn and lose its effectiveness as the bristles are damaged by use. This can reduce the amount of plaque that is removed by the toothbrush, impacting your oral hygiene.

To avoid this, you need to replace your toothbrush every 3 or 4 months, or sooner if you notice the bristles becoming frayed.

When Should You Change a Manual Toothbrush?

An ordinary toothbrush should last up to 4 months. However, it may get worn out and frayed before then, reducing its effectiveness at cleaning your teeth. If you notice any signs of wear on your toothbrush, you should replace it.

How often should you change an electric toothbrush head?

Electric toothbrush heads usually have shorter and softer bristles. Because of this, they tend to wear out faster than a manual toothbrush. They can last around 3 months or less. Again, you should replace them sooner if you notice frayed or worn bristles.

What Happens If You Don’t Change Your Toothbrush?

 

Besides becoming worn and frayed, bristles will also splay outward, losing their original shape. All of these factors contribute to the brush becoming less effective at removing plaque. If plaque is not removed effectively from your mouth, it can cause tooth decay and gum disease.

Furthermore, any bacteria and viruses in your household can be transferred to your toothbrush over time.

How to Properly Care For Your Toothbrush?

It is important to keep your toothbrush clean when you are not using it. To keep your toothbrush hygienic, make sure you thoroughly rinse it with tap water after each use to remove residue and germs. However, don’t wash it with a disinfectant, mouthwash, or hot water. This can cause the spread of germs rather than prevent them.

Additionally, you should never share your toothbrush with anyone else. Everyone has different bacteria in their mouth, and sharing a toothbrush can spread viral and bacterial infections.

 

 

What’s the Right Way to Store Your Toothbrush

The way that you store your toothbrush can contribute to the development of bacterial and viral growth in the bristles.

Take the following precautions to reduce the risk of this:

• Don’t share it with other people
• Don’t store it where it can touch other people’s toothbrushes
• Thoroughly rinse it after each use to remove residue and germs
• Don’t store it in an enclosed container, which can encourage mold and bacteria growth

In addition, while your bathroom may be the most convenient place to store your toothbrush, it is often not the most hygienic, especially if your bathroom remains humid for some time after you shower.

Should Children Change Their Toothbrush More Often Than Adults?

Yes. Children’s toothbrushes usually have softer bristles than an adult’s, to avoid irritating their more sensitive gums. Softer bristles can become worn and splayed more quickly. On top of this, young children can be prone to chewing on their toothbrushes and are also more likely to let their toothbrushes make contact with surfaces in the bathroom that may have bacteria on them.

To ensure that your kids are using a sanitary toothbrush, it should be replaced more often, at least as frequently as every 3 months. If you notice any signs of wear or chewing, replace it sooner. It is a good idea to supervise your kids when they brush their teeth to make sure they don’t chew the toothbrush or let it touch bathroom surfaces.

Brushing your teeth is only one part of a healthy oral hygiene routine. Regular dental check-ups are vital to keep your mouth and gums clean and spot any early signs of tooth decay or gum disease before they progress. Get in touch with us today to book a dental check-up at our Summerlin dental care clinic.

You noticed black stuff on teeth that won’t go away no matter how hard you try brushing. If that’s the case, it might not be a regular stain. You are dealing with calculus or black tartar on teeth. This guide covers all details on how to tackle this dental problem. Whether you have black at the base of the tooth or in its upper section, here is what you should know about calculus and returning a perfect smile!

What Is Black Tartar?

Each meal you eat or beverage you drink helps bacteria to form in your mouth. That bacteria creates black plaque on teeth. It’s possible to remove it with flossing and brushing. But if you leave it untreated, it hardens and becomes black tartar on teeth.

Calculus will stain and become black. Apart from complicating your oral hygiene, it can be a precursor to different oral health problems.

What Complications Can Arise?

While tartar on teeth is primarily an aesthetic problem, it’s vital to treat it as soon as possible. Otherwise, you put your oral health at risk. If you notice black at the base of the tooth, it could be a sign of early tooth decay.

And if there is black between teeth and gums, it could irritate your gum line and cause inflammation. The research indicates almost every second adult over 30 in the United States deals with gingivitis. It’s the initial stage of gum disease that puts your oral health at risk. If you don’t treat it, it can become periodontitis. It’s a severe gum disease that often includes huge pain and teeth falling out.

Periodontitis is a health hazard for other conditions, such as diabetes, heart, and respiratory diseases. That’s why it’s best to deal with black stuff on teeth near gums as soon as possible.

Causes of Black Tartar

Reasons behind black stuff on teeth aren’t that different from causes of other health problems. Here’s what could lead to tartar on teeth:

• Improper oral hygiene. If you don’t brush and floss regularly, you could end up with black stuff on your teeth. Plaque forms first and tartar later, which is why you shouldn’t let that plaque harden.
• Bad eating habits. Sugary foods like candy are a huge oral health problem. It can lead to a variety of problems with your teeth. The same applies to processed foods rich in starch.
• Poor drinking habits. It’s not only alcohol, although wine is among the biggest risks for tartar on teeth. You also want to avoid juices and sugary liquids.
• Smoking. If you smoke, tooth discoloration is only a matter of time. And if you don’t have proper oral hygiene, the risk of tartar forming only increases.
• Damage of trauma. If you hit your tooth, it could lead to enamel damage, making it more vulnerable to tartar.

Symptoms of Black Tartar

What’s the best way to recognize black tartar on teeth? Check out for these signs to identify a potential problem:

• Dark discoloration on the tooth’s surface. Do you notice black at the base of a tooth or close to it?
• Visible deposits. If you can see deposits on your teeth, it could be tartar or indicate a risk of it forming soon.
• Bad breath. This is a common indicator you have an oral health issue.
• Loose teeth and bleeding gums. It could mean tartar already migrated into gum disease, so make sure to check with your dentist immediately.

Does Black Tartar Mean Cavity?

A systematic review published in 2019 shows that black stuff on teeth near gums and cavities aren’t related. If you have tartar, that doesn’t mean you have a cavity. Furthermore, you might have a lower chance of developing it.

Can You Get Rid of Black Tartar on Teeth?

The first step is to get a  toothbrush with soft bristles. Next, get a fluoride toothpaste or one that mentions “for tartar and plaque.”

Once you have the necessary equipment, try to brush your teeth at least twice a day. Make sure you are dedicated to the process and sweep any plaque or deposit. The experts suggest using a water flosser since high pressure can help get any plaque out from tricky places. If that doesn’t work, the next step in how to remove tartar from teeth is to schedule an appointment with your dentist. A dental professional will use advanced equipment and suggest the best course of action for your specific situation.

Is It OK to Scrape Tartar Off Your Teeth?

You might be tempted to buy a plaque scraper and use it at home. However, that’s a huge risk since you can damage your teeth easily. It’s better to let a pro do the thing they are licensed and skilled for.

A dental professional will use tooth scaling to scrape your tooth surface. This deep cleaning will help deal with black stuff on teeth near gums. If necessary, the dentist will even go with root planning to clean below the gumline.

How to Prevent Tartar on Your Teeth

Prevention is the best medication, which applies to dealing with tartar. If you deal with the plaque, you won’t be at risk for tartar development.

The following are the best guidelines to follow to prevent calculus from appearing:

• Brush and floss regularly. The experts suggest brushing in the morning and before you head to sleep. It’s mandatory to use high-quality toothpaste and brush your teeth for at least two minutes per session. As for flossing, once a day should be enough. Choose a water flosser along with the classic floss for better effectiveness.
• Pay attention to what you eat. The first rule is to limit the sugar intake but avoid sticky and highly-processed foods, too. Additionally, try not to drink sodas and other sugary beverages.
• Adjust your lifestyle. If you smoke or drink alcohol, try to limit those two habits as much as possible. Regular exercise and boosting your overall health can assist in avoiding oral health issues.

Takeaway

Tartar or calculus is black discoloration on your teeth. It looks ugly and ruins your perfect smile. It could also develop into a more serious oral health issue, and it’s vital to deal with it in time. You can try brushing and flossing, but if the black discoloration seems persistent, it’s wise to contact your dentist. Schedule an appointment to receive deep cleaning and consult on the best course of action to improve your oral health!

Dry socket, otherwise known as alveolar osteitis, is inflammation of the alveolar bone. This typically occurs as a complication of tooth extraction and can be very painful due to the bone and nerves becoming exposed. So, what does a dry socket look like, and are there any major differences between a dry socket vs normal socket? Let’s find out.

How To Know If You Have a Dry Socket?

After tooth extraction, you will have an empty socket where the old tooth and its root would have been. If your wound is healing as it should, the empty socket should begin to heal on its own while your pain starts to decrease with each passing day.

However, the main difference between a dry socket vs normal is that your pain level will begin to escalate as time goes on. You may experience throbbing that spreads across your jaw, all the way up to your ear.

So, what does a dry socket look like, and what are some of the main symptoms?

• Increasing pain
• Visible bone or tissue upon inspection
• Bad taste
• Extreme sensitivity
• Bad breath
• No blood clot in the empty socket

How Do Dry Sockets Occur?

After tooth extraction, e.g. wisdom tooth removal there is going to be a large hole left in your mouth that your body needs to heal. In response, the body creates inflammation which causes swelling around the area. Platelets clump together and form a blood clot, which is the body’s method for protecting the wound and sealing it shut.

However, the situation is a bit different when looking at dry socket vs normal, since this means that the body hasn’t healed correctly. What does dry socket look like in these cases, and what causes this to happen?

Well, there are a few factors that increase the likelihood of developing a dry socket, such as

• putting too much pressure on the wound (and dislodging the clot),
• smoking,
• if you already had a preexisting infection before the surgery took place.

Treatment For Dry Socket

Let’s say the worst has happened and you have been unfortunate enough to develop a dry socket. What are some of the ways you would treat a dry socket vs a normal socket? The American Dental Association advises going to the dentist to control signs. First things first, if you feel as though the clot has become dislodged or if you are in a lot of pain, you need to revisit your dentist and seek expert advice.

In most cases, the dentist will flush out the socket with a saline solution to clean the area and prevent infection from spreading. Next, they will slowly pack the socket with a medicated dressing that will control the pain while encouraging the body to form another cloth and heal correctly. Once the dressing is in place you will usually have to return to the dentist once every 2-3 days to change the dressing, have the wound cleaned, and have the dentist inspect the socket to see how well it is healing. Throughout this time you may be prescribed painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs to assist the healing process.

When Can You Stop Worrying About Dry Socket?

If you’re wondering when can I stop worrying about dry sockets, you can probably count yourself safe once you hit five days after the surgery. The risk of dry socket reduces over time, so the more chance the wound has to heal, the more likely it is that you just have a normal socket after tooth extraction.

For example, if you can see a healthy wisdom tooth blood clot forming in your wound and it’s been five or more days, you can safely assume that you’re out of the woods and you have healed correctly.

How Do You Tell If You Have a Dry Socket or Just Pain?

The first thing to monitor is your pain. Now, it’s important to bear in mind that it is completely normal for you to feel some level of pain after tooth extraction. After all, having a tooth pulled from your mouth is a traumatic experience for most people, and it will usually necessitate that you take painkillers for at least a few days after the surgery is complete.

However, if you notice that your pain levels are continuing to rise after 2-3 days and you feel your mouth becoming more sensitive, then there is a strong chance you have developed a dry socket. With that said, pain tolerances vary quite significantly from person to person, and there are some rare cases of people developing dry socket without feeling and strong sensations of pain.

Yet, the good news is that if you can tolerate the pain, there is no need to seek treatment as the body will heal on its own. Just be sure to keep an eye on the wound so you can ensure that no infections are taking hold. Some of the key markers of infection include discoloration, pus coming from the socket, and a bad smell.

Summary

Hopefully, by now you have a good understanding of the differences between a dry socket vs normal socket, as well as some of the main things to look out for after you have undergone tooth extraction. Remember, the main symptom that you will experience if you do develop a dry socket is an increasing level of pain despite several days that have passed since your surgery. Therefore, it’s a good idea to keep track of your pain (maybe with a journal), so you can record whether or not you are feeling better or if you need to contact the dentist to get your wound seen.

 

 

 

The question of whether or not you should rinse after brushing really depends on your preference. Whilst there have been studies on the impact of rinsing, the results only indicate that there might be an advantage of one over the other.

However, the unfortunate truth is that many people are carrying out their daily oral hygiene routines incorrectly, which could be damaging their teeth and leading them to have a variety of issues later down the road.

Argument On Why You Should Rinse Your Mouth

The reason why there is contention in the first place is because of the main ingredient that is present in your toothpaste: fluoride. The reason that dentists tell you to brush for two minutes is so that it gives the toothpaste and the fluoride enough time to work properly.

However, the vast majority of people don’t spend the full two minutes brushing their teeth, which means that when they rinse, they are also rinsing away the fluoride before it has been given enough time to clean their teeth effectively.

As you know, once you have brushed your teeth, your mouth is usually pretty foamy and full of toothpaste. Once you spit it out, you can still taste the fluoride in your mouth, which is not exactly the most pleasant of experiences.

How Long Should You Wait to Rinse After Brushing?

If you want to be on the safe side, then you should wait at least twenty minutes before rinsing your mouth after brushing. This gives the fluoride more time to work, which means you have a better chance at cleaning them and preventing tooth decay.

Should you rinse after brushing teeth using mouthwash or just water? Once again, this all depends. However, if you are going to use mouthwash, then it’s best to wait a little bit longer before rinsing.

Argument On Why You Shouldn’t Rinse Your Mouth Out With Water

If you do not rinse your teeth, then it gives the fluoride more chance to get to work at cleaning your teeth and gums, which means that you will have better oral hygiene and prevent the unwanted build-up of plaque.

Can I use mouthwash after wisdom tooth extraction, and should you rinse after brushing teeth in these instances? In short, you should probably avoid rinsing as often in these circumstances as you want to keep your mouth as clean as possible so it can heal correctly. Of course, it is important to rinse sometimes, but don’t overdo it.

Takeaway

So, do you rinse after brushing? After reading this article, you may want to rethink your brushing habits by waiting to rinse your teeth for a few minutes so that you can make sure you leave ample time for the fluoride to do its job. By now, most dentists are pretty clear when asked the question, “are you supposed to rinse after brushing?” And that answer is…no.

You can also ask your dentist for more advice – you can contact us and we’ll be happy to assist in any way we can.