Hannover medical center advices

Braces and orthodontic treatment are used to correct “bad bites,” or malocclusion (teeth that are crowded or crooked). In some cases your teeth may be straight, but your upper and lower jaws may not meet properly. These jaw or tooth alignment problems may be inherited or could result from injury, early or late tooth loss, or thumb sucking.

If you have an abnormal bite your dentist may recommend braces or another orthodontic treatment to straighten out your smile. Correcting the problem can create a nice-looking smile, but more importantly, orthodontic treatment results in a healthier mouth. Not correcting an abnormal bite could result in further oral health problems, including:

• tooth decay
• gum disease
• tooth loss
• affected speech and/or chewing
• abnormal wear to tooth enamel
• jaw problems

How to avoid tooth ache?

Since most tooth  pain results from decay or  gum disease, you follow the instructions for oral and dental hygiene which will have a great  role in reducing the risk of tooth ache . These habits include:

• brushing teeth regularly , using  toothpaste containing fluoride.
• cleaning teeth using floss once a day at least.
• visit  the dentist at least twice a year to make the proper teeth care  and cleaning.

Tooth sensitivity is a state of discomfort or pain that afflicts one tooth or set of teeth when eating food or drinks hot or cold, sugary or sour or even when breathing cold air through the mouth. The pain can be sharp, sudden, and shoot deep into the nerve endings of your teeth.

What Causes Sensitive Teeth?

Sensitive teeth occur when the underlying layer of your teeth — the dentin — becomes exposed as a result of receding gum tissue (the protective blanket that covers the tooth roots). The roots, which are not covered by hard enamel, contain thousands of tiny tubules leading to the tooth’s nerve center (the pulp). These dentinal tubules (or channels) allow the stimuli — for example, the hot, cold, or sweet food — to reach the nerve in your tooth, which results in the pain you feel.

There are many factors that may lead to sensitive teeth, including:

• Brushing too hard. Over time, brushing too hard or using a hard-bristled toothbrush can wear down enamel and cause the dentin to be exposed. It can also cause recession of the gums (the gum tissue pulls away from the teeth).
• Use of whitening products

To Reduce Tooth Sensitivity?

Some steps you can take to prevent tooth sensitivity include:

• Maintain good oral hygiene. Continue to follow proper brushing and flossing techniques to thoroughly clean all parts of your teeth and mouth.
• Use a soft bristled toothbrush. This will result in less toothbrush abrasion to the tooth surface and less irritation to your gums. Brush gently and carefully around the gum line so you do not remove more gum tissue.
• Use desensitizing toothpaste. There are several brands of toothpaste available for sensitive teeth. With regular use you should notice a decrease in sensitivity. You may need to try several different brands to find the product that works best for you. Another tip. spread a thin layer of the toothpaste on the exposed tooth roots with your finger or a Q-tip before you go to bed. Do not use a tartar control toothpaste; rather, use a fluoridated toothpaste.

What are the causes of acute toothache ?

1. Pain when eating food or drinks cold or hot or sugary :

– This pain  results  of a cavity  in the tooth  because of cares . Food or drinks enter into the tooth and the stimulates the  nerve supply , causing pain. In the early days pain lasts a few seconds to a minute.
– treatment of this case is to put a dental filling to close the cavity.

2. Severe pain without any cause or acute  pain during sleep:

– This pain is due to the attack of cares to the nerve.
– you may get rid of this pain by  following one of two the following options : treatment of the nerve or extraction of the tooth . Treatment depends on the extent of dental cares . If it  is widespread and has damaged  a large portion of the tooth structure , then the  solution is to extract  the tooth. If  the tooth is  restorable  then the best way is root canal  treatment  .

3. Acute  pain when chewing (  on occlusion of  teeth ) :
– pain may be caused of :
1. A fracture of a tooth or tooth root.
2. Acute inflammation at the root of the tooth.
–  pain may be relieved by : either root canal treatment  or extraction of tooth.

4. Severe pain when brushing teeth:
– With the deteriorating of the health condition of the gums due to negligence or because of age, the gum recedes  revealing the  sensitive teeth roots. Touching brush to these roots or touching the inflamed gums will cause tooth ache .
– If the pain is a result of gum disease  , then treatment begins  by cleaning it at the dentist and follow his instructions.  But If the pain is due to a contact of the rush  to the sensitive tooth roots , then  the use of special toothpaste for sensitive teeth for a week at least is enough to solve the problem. See your dentist to find out the best toothpaste for your condition.

The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is the hinge joint that connects the lower jaw (mandible) to the temporal bone of the skull, which is immediately in front of the ear on each side of your head. This pain is resulted of  Grinding or clenching the teeth, which puts a lot of pressure on the TMJ: *Dislocation of the soft cushion or disc between the ball and socket * Presence of osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis in the TMJ * Stress, which can cause a person to tighten facial and jaw muscles or clench the teeth People with TMD can experience severe pain and discomfort that can be temporary or last for many years. More women than men experience TMD, and TMD is seen most commonly in people between the ages of 20 and 40 Common symptoms of TMD include: *Pain or tenderness in the face, jaw joint area, neck and shoulders, and in or around the ear when you chew, speak, or open your mouth wide *Limited ability to open the mouth very wide *Jaws that get “stuck” or “lock” in the open- or closed-mouth position *Clicking, popping, or grating sounds in the jaw joint when opening or closing the mouth (which may or may not be accompanied by pain) or chewing *A tired feeling in the face *Difficulty chewing or a sudden uncomfortable bite – as if the upper and lower teeth are not fitting together properly *Swelling on the side of the face May occur on one or both sides of the face *Other common symptoms of TMD include toothaches, headaches, neck aches, dizziness, earaches, hearing problems, upper shoulder pain, and ringing in the ears (tinnitus) How Is TMD Diagnosed? Because many other conditions can cause similar symptoms to TMD – including a toothache, sinus problems, arthritis, or gum disease – your dentist will conduct a careful patient history and physical examination to determine the cause of your symptoms. *Your dentist will examine your temporomandibular joints for pain or tenderness; * listen for clicking, popping, *or grating sounds during jaw movement; *look for limited motion or locking of the jaw while opening or closing the mouth; *and examine bite and facial muscle function. *Sometimes panoramic X-rays will be taken. These full face X-rays allow your dentist to view the entire jaws, temporomandibular joint, and teeth to make sure other problems aren’t causing the TMD symptoms. Sometimes, other imaging tests, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or a computer tomography (CT), are needed. -The MRI views the soft tissue such as the TMJ disc to see if it is in the proper position as the jaw moves. -A CT scan helps view the bony detail of the joint Your dentist may decide to send you to an oral surgeon (also called an oral and maxillofacial surgeon) for further care and treatment. This oral health care professional specializes in surgical procedures in and about the entire face, mouth, and jaw area. What Treatments Are Available for TMD? Treatments for TMD range from simple self-care practices and conservative treatments to injections and surgery. Most experts agree that treatment should begin with conservative, nonsurgical therapies first, with surgery left as the last resort. Many of the treatments listed below often work best when used in combination Basic Treatments for TMD Some basic, conservative treatments for TMD include: *Apply moist heat or cold packs. Apply an ice pack to the side of your face and temple area for about 10 minutes. Do a few simple stretching exercises for your jaw (as instructed by your dentist or physical therapist). After exercising, apply a warm towel or washcloth to the side of your face for about 5 minutes. Perform this routine a few times each day. Eat soft foods. Eat soft foods such as yogurt, mashed potatoes, cottage cheese, soup, scrambled eggs, fish, cooked fruits and vegetables, beans, and grains. In addition, cut foods into small pieces to decrease the amount of chewing required. Avoid hard and crunchy foods (like hard rolls, pretzels, raw carrots), chewy foods (like caramels and taffy) and thick and large foods that require your mouth to open wide to fit Take medications. To relieve muscle pain and swelling, try nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as naproxen or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, Aleve). Your dentist can prescribe higher doses of these or other drugs for pain relief. Muscle relaxants, especially for people who grind or clench their teeth, can help relax tight jaw muscles. Anti-anxiety medications can help relieve stress that is sometimes thought to aggravate TMD. Antidepressants, when used in low doses, can also help reduce or control pain. Muscle relaxants, anti-anxiety drugs, and antidepressants are available by prescription only. Low-level laser therapy. This is used to reduce the pain and inflammation, as well as increase range of motion to the neck and in opening the mouth. Wear a splint or night guard. Splints and night guards are plastic mouthpieces that fit over the upper and lower teeth. They prevent the upper and lower teeth from coming together, lessening the effects of clenching or grinding the teeth. They also correct the bite by positioning the teeth in their most correct and least traumatic position. The main difference between splints and night guards is that night guards are only worn at night and splints are worn all the time. Your dentist will discuss with you what type of mouth guard appliance you may need. Undergo corrective dental treatments. Corrective treatments including replacing missing teeth and using crowns, bridges, or braces to balance the biting surfaces of your teeth or to correct a bite problem. Avoid extreme jaw movements. Keep yawning and chewing (especially gum or ice) to a minimum and avoid extreme jaw movements such as yelling or singing. Don’t rest your chin on your hand or hold the telephone between your shoulder and ear. Practice good posture to reduce neck and facial pain. Keep your teeth slightly apart as often as you can to relieve pressure on the jaw. To control clenching or grinding during the day, place your tongue between your teeth. Learning relaxation techniques to help control muscle tension in the jaw. Ask your dentist about the need for physical therapy or massage. Consider stress reduction therapy, including biofeedback.

Dry mouth is an  uncomfortable condition or a cause of the continuing upset and malaise, it is also unhealthy conditions that are exposed lots of people may suffer . Fortunately, there are many effective ways to treat this problem: Saliva plays an important role in maintaining the health of the teeth and mouth, and one of the most important functions:

• Cleansing  and moisturizing mouth.
• Neutralizing acids resulting from the use of moisture devices to add some moisture to the  room air.

Many of our visitors often indicate that their gums bleed when brushing teeth or when eating. I want to start saying that healthy gums do not bleed. There are multiple causes leading to bleeding gums, but the most common cause is a bacterial infection.

What relationship between bacteria and bleeding gums?

bleeding gums resulted when you do not follow the dentist instructions of dental care and hygiene .

 Or , due to Gingivitis , and the presence  of  plaque

• taking  certain drugs “as a heart disease and blood pressure medicines .”
• Lack of vitamin C.
• disturbance in hormones during adolescence or during pregnancy.
• fixing a tight dentures.

How serious bleeding gums?

Bleeding gums is a message from your gums to you. Telling you that your  bleeding gums need to care and cleaning. Your negligence of this letter may lead to increasing the problem of bleeding and the occurrence of complications . you may use a wrong  tooth brushing method . dentists advise teeth brushing for at least two minutes. But often the problem of bleeding gums continue even after brushing teeth properly for several days. This occurs because of the inability of toothbrush bristles to reach accumulated plaque in the areas between the teeth. So the  radical solution to the problem of bleeding gums is the  teeth cleaning by a dentist .

Dentist can ideally remove plaque and put an end for bleeding gums.

How can I avoid bleeding gums?

Key steps:

• Brush your teeth using a soft toothbrush after every meal.
• Use floss  once a day at least.
• Visit your dentist every six months at least to remove the plaque, which are difficult to access with a brush.
• rinse with warm water and salt.
• Avoid eating between the three main meals.
• Avoid eating foods high in carbohydrates to prevent the formation of plaque on the teeth.
• Eat foods of high  fiber content such as “apples, carrots, brown bread.”

Additional steps to reduce bleeding gums:

• Avoid smoking.
• If  your denture is tight (go  to the dentist immediately to solve  this problem.
• Avoid aspirin (unless under your physician advise).
• If you have a deficiency in vitamins (take Multivitamins once daily).
What is the benefit of eating high-fiber foods?

Eat high-fiber foods help to strengthen the gum tissue. Chewing fiber leads to generate moderate pressure which increases the activity of blood circulation in the gums, leading to more robust and resilient gums, gums in  this aspect  are similar to  body muscles requiring persistent  activation. On the other hand , neglect or lack of muscles exercise lead to weakness and atrophy , as well as the case of the gums . Eating soft foods frequently (such as hamburgers, French fries) leads to weakness and atrophy gum tissue, which minimizes  their ability to resist the attack of bacterial . It is worth mentioning that eating solid foods  as ice or  chicken bones or  opening  bottle caps or cracking nuts lead to tremendous pressure on the gums, leading to their tear and damage , and thus to its weakness, just as is the case with the muscles of the body .  high burden on muscles  lead to their tear and weakness .

Why some bad habits cause bad breath?

• Due to gum disease, caused these diseases due to failure to follow instructions for dental hygiene and due to the accumulation of dental caries
• unfixed denture

What are the products that help get rid of bad breath?

You can buy many mouthwash products in pharmacies, which may contribute to hide the bad breath temporarily. It should be noted here that these products do not fundamentally solve the problem. Ask your dentist to describe for you a type of oral antiseptics that work to kill germs.

Important tips to avoid bad breath:

1 – Brush your teeth after every meal dealt with and replaced brush your teeth with a new one every two or three months.
2 – If you are a denture users: you must remove it before going to sleep and clean it thoroughly before using it when you wake up from your sleep.
3 – stop smoking: or eating various tobacco products. Ask your dentist for some useful tips that will help you quit this harmful habit.
4 – try eating chewing gum products: preferably sugar-free types.

Plaque is a sticky non colored mix of bacteria , remains  of food and the substances they secrete. This plaque causes dental cares , infections and gum disease . If left alone, plaque buildup also gradually hardens, creating tartar or calculus on your teeth.

Causes of plaque and why considered as a health problem ?

This plaque is formed when the food remnants containing carbohydrates , like gaseous beverages , cake , sweets etc  repeatedly on the teeth . the bacteria lives on these food . The bacteria in tooth plaque are free to release acids that damage tooth enamel. Regular acid assaults on enamel can wear holes in teeth, commonly called cavities.

 “Tartar is petrified plaque, Once it’s there, you need a dentist’s help … tartar can’t be brushed off.” Tartar above the gum line also contributes to gingivitis, which is gum disease.and consequent jaw bones damage .

How to avoid plaque ??

• Brush your teeth gently twice a day, using a fluoride-containing toothpaste. The exact technique isn’t as important as concentrating to make sure you’re softly brushing all the surfaces of your teeth.

• Flossing Each Day. Brushing doesn’t reach the spaces between teeth, but plaque does. A simple daily flossing between teeth clears away plaque before it can cause damage. Flossing also cleans plaque at the gum line. If left alone, plaque below the gum line can lead to periodontal disease.

• Visit your dentist or oral hygienist and dentist once every six months to ensure the cleanliness and safety of your teeth.

• Consult your doctor the appropriateness of protective surfaces premolar – sealant – you.  A  cover layer of plastic coated surfaces of the teeth chewing to protect them from decay.

• Eating balanced meals and try to minimize the snacks that may be dealt with between the main meals. If you need to eat one of these snacks, you should choose healthy meals and nutritious, such as: skimmed yougert, cheese, fruit or fresh vegetables, such as apple, where he works to remove residue and food particles from the mouth as it helps saliva in the mouth on the formula acids resulting from plaque and thus mitigate the harm.

Visiting the dentist aims  to maintain  healthy teeth and bright smile for life. It is very important to choose a dentist that you trust and feel comfort and peace. during your first visit the dentist will ask for  full information about your health. And then listen to the main reason for coming to the dental clinic. The doctor then examine your case and explain the needs of your teeth and put your treatment plan. Dental plans include:

• address the main reason for visiting the dentist (dental pain , cosmetic dentistry, cleaning or teeth whitening).
• address other problems in the mouth before they aggravate  (such as removing decay before it reaches the nerve or extracting the tooth  before it causes significant inflammation, etc.)
• preventive measures to avoid problems and pains (teeth cleaning and preventive fillings).
• explaining how to maintain and care of teeth and gums (as explaining  the correct way of brushing teeth, flossing)

How can the dentist help me to maintain my teeth health ?

• Full Cleanliness..

One of  the objectives of your visits to your dentist regularly is brushing your teeth fully, either done by the dentist or his deputy  the specialist of oral and dental health. The oral and dental health specialist will to remove plaque and tartar accumulated under the  gums, which may cause  gum disease and tooth decay and bad breath and other health problems. It also includes the cleaning process to refine and polish your teeth.

• integrated medical examinations..

During your visit your doctor will conduct  comprehensive medical examinations for your teeth and gums and mouth. He aims  to maintain your teeth and mouth health care  , and help you to avoid aggravating any health problem affecting your teeth by examining and treating it   in its early stages.

• X-ray ..

the use of X-rays depends on your age, the extent of the disease  and its  symptoms. The  X-ray helps your doctor in the detection of oral and dental diseases that cannot be seen by visual examination only  (such as the depth of tooth decay, damage to the jawbones, teeth penetration between the jaw bones and other teeth, tooth abscess, any tumors affect the mouth or jaws).

in the modern dental clinics you will find X-ray machines that do not produce  any significant amounts of radiation – compared to those emitted from the sun or the television. You have to wear a visor lead to protect yourself from any side effects may affect  you as a result of your exposure to x-rays.

In the case of pregnant women visit to the dentist, they must inform the dentist of their pregnancy , which shall be considered when  using  X-rays except in cases of extreme necessity.

When the dentist takes  a comprehensive X-ray or CT scan, that will help him to see the upper and lower jaw clearly within one image, which also helps him understand the nature of occlusion  and the relationship between your teeth and mandibular arch.

Frequency of visit ?

If your teeth and gums are healthy, you often have  to visit the dentist only once a year. If your doctor considers it necessary to provide a specific treatment methods such as: dental filling , remove wisdom teeth, or repair a broken crown, you should make an appointment with another doctor before leaving the clinic. And do not forget to ask your doctor to answer all your questions regarding the health of your mouth and your teeth because you will not find better than him  to help you .then to arrange  his treatment plan that includes solving all the problems of existing teeth in addition to a plan to  avoid any problems in the future.

What is the best toothbrush and why?

Best toothbrush is the soft, rounded-end bristles and a head that is small enough to reach all parts of your teeth , to remove the bacteria adherent plaque on the teeth. Obviously the belief that the medium or coarse Brush removes debris  better, but studies have shown that this is not true, but vice versa, the medium or coarse Brush  remove the protective enamel layer of the teeth.

The teeth cleaning every six months is responsible for removing lime accumulated on the teeth, if any, and after removing solid tartar , all you have to do is to use a soft brush to remove plaque that accumulates constantly on your teeth.

What is the best toothpaste?

I notice bleeding when brushing my teeth, what should I do? Bleeding is very natural in the first days of brushing your teeth properly. On the contrary, when you use a soft toothbrush ,  bleeding contribute to the activation  of the gums, and means you’re on the right track towards healthy teeth and gums. There is no scientific study prefers a  toothpaste on the other to protect against tooth decay.

But make sure when you buy toothpaste to find ”  a fluoride”  word on the pack . As the fluoride participates  significantly to strengthen teeth and reduce tooth decay.

1. Whitening toothpastes: you can find them on the shelves of  supermarkets , malls  or pharmacies and contain bleaching and chemicals materials . Whitening toothpastes do not make deeply bleaching  and you  could not obtain the better results such as those obtained at the dentist. The whitening toothpastes can bleach your teeth one degree or less. The whitening at the dentist can secure whitening of  teeth from three to eight degrees.

2. Home teeth whitening:

a)  the dentist makes  a special container according to your teeth size . this vessel allows  to the maximum degree of contact between the teeth and bleach solution. teeth whitening solution placed into the container and left  in the mouth at bedtime. This is the best home way to whiten teeth.

b) You can buy prefabricated container of the teeth, and this vessel  is of one size  for all, and is relatively effective but not like the one made by your dentist. Bleach solution is placed inside the bowl and left during  sleep period in the mouth.

c) whitening strips : You can buy these strips  in supermarkets  or pharmacies, and put them  on the front teeth twice a day for 30 minutes for two weeks, during which the materials located on the segment laundering teeth, and can live results of this bleaching period of four months.

3. Whitening at the dentist: better and faster means of teeth whitening, where the doctor uses materials severe bleaching, but does not affect the strength of the teeth, the doctor will put a protective layer of the gums around the teeth to avoid the effect of bleach it and then is put this material on the teeth directly. The laser can be used to accelerate the bleaching process.

What are the risks of teeth whitening?

There are two problems : the first  is increase of  tooth sensitivity to hot and cold and the second is the gum inflammation or irritation.

irritated gum is often caused due to the use of prefabricated home tray-based system which size may be larger than the required.

these two problems are temporary and may stop  within two to three days after stop whitening. use of toothpaste special for sensitive teeth (containing Potassium Nitrate ) which reduces the pain and irritation .