Dental Problems

Halitosis, or “bad breath” is a common, but embarrassing condition that often has a dental cause. A thorough examination by Dr. Anderson can help determine the cause and rule out a more serious condition.

How can I tell if I have bad breath?

Unfortunately, those around us are often aware of our bad breath before we are since it is difficult to smell your own breath. If it is not too uncomfortable, you could ask a close friend or family member for their opinion. To test your own breath, try licking the back of your wrist and scraping the back of your tongue with a spoon. Let the saliva on your wrist and the spoon dry for a few seconds, and then smell them. Smelling the spoon and the back of your wrist will give you a good idea what your breath smells like to everyone else.

What causes bad breath?

There are a variety of dental and non-dental causes for bad breath. Everyone suffers from transient or temporary bad breath at some point in their life, due to factors like smelly foods, hunger, dry mouth and poor dental hygiene. Chronic bad breath is often a dental hygiene issue, but it could be a sign of a serious dental problem or non-dental medical condition. The biggest dental cause of bad breath is bacteria on the tongue or trapped between the teeth and gums. Often Dr. Anderson can help you reduce or eliminate this kind of bad breath. In any event, visit Dr. Anderson so he can recommend treatment and rule out any more serious medical issues.

What can I do about my bad breath?

Many cases of bad breath can be relieved by proper flossing and brushing, at least twice a day, especially after meals. Cleaning your tongue with a brush or tongue scraper will also help alleviate the odor in many cases. Make sure to drink plenty of water, as dry mouth is often a cause of bad breath. There are many over-the-counter products available, from toothpastes to antibacterial mouthwashes. Dr. Anderson can help you determine which products would be best for your circumstances.

What can Dr. Anderson do about my bad breath?

Dr. Anderson will start by giving you a thorough examination to see if there are signs of tooth decay or gum disease that are contributing to the bad breath. A thorough cleaning of your teeth and gums, combined with proper brushing and flossing may reduce or eliminate the problem. He may recommend the use of special mouthwashes designed to control the bacteria that cause bad breath. A dental examination is also important to rule out more serious causes of bad breath.

Tooth decay is the process of a tooth’s mineral content being dissolved. A cavity, or caries, is a hole in a tooth that is caused by tooth decay.

Do I have a cavity?

A cavity, or caries, is a hole in a tooth that is caused by tooth decay. If you experience pain when eating something cold or sweet, and the pain goes away fairly quickly, you may have a cavity. If it is a cavity, the sooner you get it taken care of, the less severe the damage will be. A toothache that is not sensitive to cold may have another cause. See Dr. Anderson for proper diagnosis and treatment.

What causes tooth decay?

The foods we eat react with the bacteria in our mouth to form acids that can eat away and decay the hard tissue of our teeth. Plaque is the bacteria most responsible for tooth decay. A cavity, or caries, is a hole in a tooth that is caused by this decay.

What is a cavity?

The foods we eat react with the bacteria in our mouth to form acids that can eat away and decay the hard tissue of our teeth. A cavity, or caries, is the actual hole in the tooth that is caused by this decay.

What will Dr. Anderson do to fix my cavity?

Simple cavities are treated with a filling. Dr. Anderson will use a drill or dental instrument to remove the decayed tooth tissue, and replace that removed tooth structure with a filling. The filling will either be a metal amalgam, or will be a tooth-colored composite. Some cavities are too large for a filling. If the damage is very extensive, and too much of the tooth tissue has decayed, Dr. Anderson may recommend a dental crown. If the cavity has been left untreated, and the tooth has become infected, this serious condition is called an abscess, which might require a root canal. The sooner you have your tooth examined, the more options Dr. Anderson will have to preserve your natural tooth.

How can I prevent cavities?

The best prevention is to floss and brush your teeth twice a day, especially after meals or snacks. Brushing helps remove the plaque, bacteria that forms on teeth, which is the major cause of tooth decay. Dental floss can get into the spaces between teeth where your toothbrush can’t reach.

Why should I take care of a toothache?

First, the toothache could be a sign of a non-dental problem, and not a problem with the tooth itself. If the problem is with the tooth, early treatment is important, because Dr. Anderson wants you to keep as much original tooth structure as possible. An early cavity can be filled before the tooth abscesses and needs a root canal. An early abscess can be treated with a root canal, instead of tooth extraction. A tooth that is too far damaged and infected may have to be extracted to prevent further damage to the mouth, and extraction is always Dr. Anderson’s last resort.

Gingivitis is an inflammation of the gums that is usually caused by plaque. It is the earliest and most easily treated form of gum disease, as it only affects the gums, but it must be treated to avoid more serious gum disease.

What is gingivitis?

Gingivitis is early stage gum disease which affects only the gums and not the surrounding bone and tissue. Symptoms include gum inflammation and infection. It is a serious problem which afflicts perhaps up to 90% of adults, but it is treatable and reversible. If left untreated, it can develop into periodontitis, severe gum disease that can cause permanent tooth and jaw damage. If you have symptoms of gingivitis, make an appointment with Dr. Anderson for a thorough examination and proper treatment.

What causes gingivitis?

Gingivitis is an inflammation and infection of the gums. It can be caused by trauma to the gums or by irritating rough edges of teeth or dental work, but is usually caused by plaque. Plaque is a sticky film of bacteria that forms daily on our teeth. It reacts with the food we eat to produce acids and toxins that cause tooth decay. Newly formed plaque can be removed by brushing and flossing, but plaque that is not removed hardens into tartar or calculus. This hard layer of tartar forms at and below the gumline and cannot be removed by brushing. Tartar causes decay even faster than plaque alone and irritates the gums. The resulting inflammation and infection of the gums is called gingivitis. Untreated, this condition can develop into a serious gum disease, called periodontitis.

What does gingivitis look like?

Gingivitis will appear as:

• Red, or reddish-purple swollen, tender gums
• Gums that bleed very easily, even with gentle brushing (blood on toothbrush even with gentle brushing of the teeth)
• Gums that hurt only when touched
• Gums that have a “shiny look”
• Gums that have receded from your teeth
• Continuous bad taste in mouth or bad breath
• Mouth sores

How can I prevent gingivitis?

You can reduce the risk of gingivitis greatly by:

• Brushing and flossing regularly
• Quitting tobacco use
• Making regular dental visits for examination and cleaning

What can Dr. Anderson do about gingivitis?

Dr. Anderson will give your mouth a thorough examination to see if any of your teeth or dental work has rough edges that are contributing to this problem. Either Dr. Anderson or his dental hygienist will give your teeth a thorough cleaning above and below the gums. This will usually include a process called scaling, where the dental professional uses instruments to scrape the tartar off teeth below the gumline. Scaling is followed by a smoothing procedure called planing to make sure there are no rough surfaces to continue irritating the teeth.Dr. Anderson can further describe the procedure and the techniques for making patients completely comfortable during the appointment.

Why is it important to treat gingivitis?

Gingivitis is the milder and very treatable form of gum disease that affects just the gums. Untreated gingivitis can develop into serious gum disease, called periodontitis, which can cause tooth loss and permanent damage to your jaw. This is preventable. If you develop the signs of gingivitis, see Dr. Anderson for a thorough examination and treatment.

Most problems with the jaw come from the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and the muscles that help you chew. Dr. Anderson has treatments that can ease this pain and discomfort.

What does TMJ stand for?

The temporomandibular joints (TMJs) are the hinges that connect your lower jaw to your skull. The disorders associated with the TMJ muscles are often referred to as TMD or TMJ Disorders. TMD is not just one condition, but a group of painful disorders that affect the TMJ and the muscles one uses to chew.

What is TMD or TMJ Disorder?

TMD is not just one condition, but a group of painful disorders that affect the TMJs and the muscles one uses to chew. It affects more women than men, and is usually temporary or occasional, but a small percentage of sufferers have serious chronic problems.

Click here to visit Dr. Jeffrey Bassman and learn more about TMJ.

Do I have a TMJ Disorder?

The following are symptoms of TMJ Disorders. Not everyone experiences all of these problems. If you experience some of them, speak to Dr. Anderson and have him perform a thorough examination.

• Jaw pain, stiffness or soreness
• Jaw pain while chewing, biting, or yawning
• Painful or tender jaw joint
• Difficulty opening and closing the mouth
• Restricted range of jaw movement or “locking” of the jaw in an open or closed position
• Painful clicking, popping, grinding or grating sounds in the jaw joint when opening or closing the mouth
• Pain and fatigue when eating hard or chewy foods
• Bruxism – grinding or clenching of teeth when awake or asleep
• Earaches without an ear infection
• Sensitive teeth and toothaches without evidence of dental problems
• Teeth that break or crack without an apparent cause
• Aching or radiating pain on the side of the head, face, neck and shoulders
• A burning sensation in the mouth/tongue
• Frequent unexplained headaches – sometimes diagnosed as migraines

How can TMJ be treated?

There are a number of treatments available, ranging from stress reduction techniques, to dental appliances to muscle relaxants. It is also best to make some simple adjustments like eating soft foods, and not chewing gum. Discuss available options with Dr. Anderson.

Tooth Sensitivity is a very common problem that can be treated effectively by Dr. Anderson with different products and techniques. It occurs when gums have receded or tooth enamel is worn down to reveal the sensitive parts of the tooth.

Why are my teeth so sensitive?

The sensitive parts of the tooth have been exposed due to damage to the enamel or recession of the gums. The enamel on the outside of your teeth, the hardest substance in your body, protects the inner sensitive part of your teeth. Sometimes this enamel gets cracked, worn or decayed. Your gums also protect the sensitive roots of your teeth by forming a tight seal where the gums meet the teeth. Gums sometimes recede from their natural position and expose the roots of the tooth. Typical causes for this recession are gum disease, or even just brushing teeth too hard and vigorously.

If the enamel is worn or damaged, or the gums recede, the dentin layer of the tooth is exposed. The dentin is not as hard as enamel, and it contains pores and small tubules that lead to the soft sensitive center and nerve of the tooth. These tubules allow cold and heat to reach the nerve, causing hypersensitivity and shooting pain. Sensitive teeth can be painful when one drinks hot and cold liquids, eats cold foods like ice cream, and even when one breathes cold air.

What can I do about sensitive teeth?

If your brushing is forcing your gums to recede, you need to discuss proper brushing technique with Dr. Anderson to prevent further damage. Special toothpastes can help sensitive teeth by either desensitizing the tooth or by filling the tubules in the dentin that are exposing the nerve. These toothpastes typically take at least a month to work. Visit Dr. Anderson for a thorough examination and for a recommendation of products.

How can Dr. Anderson help my sensitive teeth?

Dr. Anderson will give you a thorough examination to discover the cause of your sensitivity and address each specifically to prevent further damage. In the case of gum recession this may be instruction on proper brushing, or treatment for gum disease. To treat damaged enamel, he can use a filling, or dental bonding or a crown to create a new surface for the sensitive tooth. Visit Dr. Anderson for a thorough examination and treatment.

There are many possible causes for a toothache. Two of the most common dental causes are the presence of a cavity or an abscess. Some of the other causes of toothache are quite serious, so you should certainly consult Dr. Anderson for a proper diagnosis.

Do I have a cavity?

A cavity, or caries, is a hole in a tooth that is caused by tooth decay. If you experience pain when eating something cold or sweet, and the pain goes away fairly quickly, you may have a cavity. If it is a cavity, the sooner you get it taken care of, the less severe the damage will be. See Dr. Anderson for proper diagnosis and treatment.

Do I have an abscessed tooth?

An abscessed tooth, or periapical abscess, is an infection of the tissue inside of a tooth with a dead nerve. Often this is the result of an untreated severe cavity. The pain and pressure comes from a buildup of fluid inside the tooth. Since the nerve is dead, the tooth will not be sensitive to cold, but is usually very sensitive to the touch. This painful condition needs to be treated immediately to prevent further infection and damage.

What else could be causing my toothache?

Several other disorders, many of them serious, can mimic the sensation of a toothache, including Temporomandibular Dysfunction, Sinusitis, Angina, Trigeminal Neuralgia, common earaches, and some cancers. If you are experiencing dental pain, you should immediately consult Dr. Anderson for a proper diagnosis.

Why should I take care of a toothache?

First, the toothache could be a sign of a non-dental problem, and not a problem with the tooth itself. If the problem is with the tooth, early treatment is important, because Dr. Anderson wants you to keep as much original tooth structure as possible. An early cavity can be filled before the tooth abscesses and needs a root canal. An early abscess can be treated with a root canal, instead of tooth extraction. A tooth that is too far damaged and infected may have to be extracted to prevent further damage to the mouth, and extraction is always Dr. Anderson’s last resort.