Dental damage can affect different areas of the tooth and periodontium. An early visit to the dentist usually favors the success of treatment.
What is dental damage?
Development from tooth decay to the typical toothache. Click to enlarge. Tooth damage can take different forms depending on the cause of damage that has occurred. Many dental damages are the result of caries (tooth decay), during which affected teeth decay. However, tooth damage can also occur in the form of tooth erosion, i.e. the breakdown of tooth enamel. It is not uncommon for tooth damage to be the result of external force; tooth damage that occurs in this way can take on various forms: For example, teeth can break off or break completely out of the periodontium. However, it is also possible that teeth merely become loose. In dentistry, tooth damage caused by force is divided into tooth damage affecting the hard tooth substance, the pulp or the periodontium (such as tooth roots and/or gums). Dental damage due to external force can affect not only the real tooth, but also dental prostheses.
Causes
Tooth damage caused by caries is promoted by various factors; for example, bacteria, a lack of oral hygiene and a poor diet contribute to the development of caries. In the case of so-called tooth erosion, tooth damage is caused by the influence of acids that attack the tooth enamel. Corresponding acids can be contained in food, for example. In addition, tooth damage due to erosion can also be the result of frequent vomiting. In this case, tooth damage can be caused by the stomach acid contained in the vomit. Tooth damage caused by external force can be caused by falls or accidents, but also by biting on foreign bodies in the food. In addition, incorrect tooth brushing techniques or the use of toothbrushes that are too hard can also lead to tooth damage.
Symptoms, complaints and signs
Tooth damage is usually caused by tooth decay and is experienced by the affected person as extremely uncomfortable and painful. Tooth damage can be traced back to insufficient dental care, so that bacteria are formed. These bacteria decompose the tooth enamel so that a hole is created in the tooth. Such a hole in the tooth is visible even to the naked eye, provided that it is located in the visible area of the teeth. Such a hole is usually accompanied by long-lasting pain, which is perceived as unpleasant, especially at rest. The pain persists until an appropriate doctor is consulted. Otherwise, no improvement can be expected, as the bacteria merely enlarge the hole. Those who consult a dentist as soon as possible will be able to feel an immediate improvement. However, those who do not seek such treatment must expect a considerable worsening of the symptoms that occur. In particularly bad cases, severe headaches occur, so that the affected person suffers from sleep deprivation. In case of a hole in the tooth, a doctor should be consulted as soon as possible. Otherwise, the symptoms will intensify and the existing tooth damage will take on a greater extent.
Diagnosis and course
Dental damage is usually diagnosed by a dentist or an emergency medicine physician, depending on the type of damage. Based on the external appearance of dental damage, a tentative diagnosis is often already possible. In order to be able to identify the extent and the affected areas of tooth damage, further dental examinations are often necessary. Tooth damage to the periodontium can be diagnosed with the aid of X-rays, for example. Whether the tooth root is still intact after tooth damage due to accidents, for example, can be determined with the aid of so-called vitality tests; here, for example, it is tested whether a cold stimulus on the affected tooth triggers a sensory stimulus in the patient. The course of tooth damage depends, among other things, on the type and extent of the damage. As a rule, the earliest possible diagnosis of dental damage and early medical treatment contribute to more favorable courses of dental damage.
Complications
Dental damage is usually caused by poor oral hygiene, so this clinical picture can also be related to various complications.In most cases, so-called caries is responsible for damage to the teeth. In this process, bacteria break down the enamel so that a hole appears in the tooth. A very common complication is severe and long-lasting toothache, which can also cause headaches. If such damage to the tooth remains without any treatment, the existing pain will not stop The likelihood of further complications is increased, as self-healing cannot take place in case of caries disease. The hole will increase in the tooth, so after some time the complete tooth will be damaged. There may be complications with food intake, as food can no longer be properly crushed in the mouth. Bleeding is also possible, so that there is a risk of infection. If you want to avoid these complications altogether, you should consult a doctor if you have tooth damage. Damage to the teeth can only be repaired by appropriate treatment. If such treatment is not received, then a significant worsening can be expected.
When should you go to the doctor?
Irregularities of the teeth should always be examined and treated by a doctor as soon as possible. The damage to the teeth is irreparable and can lead to severe sequelae. If pain sets in, if there is irregularity in food intake, or if grinding is noticed during night sleep, a doctor should be consulted. In case of complete loss or partial loss of teeth, a doctor should be consulted as soon as possible. Discoloration of the teeth is considered a warning signal in a large number of cases and is therefore cause for concern. Especially in case of black discoloration of the teeth, a doctor should check the observations and initiate treatment if necessary. If discomfort or irregularities occur due to braces or inserted dentures, a visit to the doctor is necessary. In case of headache, dysfunction of the eye, swelling in the area of the jaw or face as well as discoloration of the skin on the face, a doctor is needed. If there is the formation of ulcers in the mouth or throat, as well as a feeling of tightness, medical attention is also needed. Since there is often a rapid increase in symptoms, a doctor should be consulted in the early stages of health impairment. In case of loss of appetite, hypersensitivity to cold or heat, as well as complaints of jaw activity, medical clarification of the irregularities is recommended.
Treatment and therapy
Appropriate medical treatment of dental damage depends in each case on individually occurred damage and discomfort. For example, the need for dental treatment of tooth damage caused by caries depends on the degree of caries:
If, in the initial stage of a caries infestation, only the outer enamel is affected by tooth damage in the form of so-called decalcification, it is often possible to achieve progression of the tooth damage by remineralization (for example, by regular application of appropriate gels by the affected person). If caries infestation is already more advanced and has led to extensive tooth damage, necessary dental measures may include the creation of dental fillings or even the extraction of affected teeth. Especially in the case of tooth damage caused by external violence in the course of accidents, falls, etc., a quick visit to the dentist or dental clinic is an important prerequisite for successful treatment. For example, dental damage in the form of teeth partially or completely broken out of the periodontium can often be repaired if the dental material can be reinserted into the mouth of the affected person at an early stage. Dental damage in the form of loosened teeth, for example, can be countered by splinting corresponding teeth.
Prevention
Tooth damage caused by the influence of factors such as pathogens or acids can be prevented primarily by consistent oral hygiene and a diet that is not too high in sugar and acid. Regular dental check-ups also contribute to early detection of tooth damage. Tooth damage caused by violence can only be prevented to a limited extent.
Aftercare
Here, what was also advised in the “Prevention” section on preventing tooth damage applies to aftercare. As already mentioned there, the correct brushing technique is of decisive importance.In the past, it was said that you should brush your teeth from the top down, i.e. from the gums to the teeth. Then circular movements should achieve the optimal brushing result. However, experts found a method that is supposed to clean our teeth even more thoroughly: the shaking technique. To do this, the bristles of the toothbrush must be placed at a 45-degree angle directly at the junction of the gums and the teeth. The most stubborn bacteria are located at this point, the gum line. Now move the toothbrush sideways with only light pressure and gently shake off the stubborn plaque. The chewing surface of the teeth is also shaken. To do this, the toothbrush must be placed frontally. The teeth should be brushed systematically in always the same order, then no tooth is forgotten! This requires sufficient time so that each individual tooth can be thoroughly cleaned. In the morning and evening, the teeth should be shaken clean with the toothbrush for three to five minutes. Once a day, the spaces between the teeth should also be cleaned – either with dental floss or with an interdental brush. Together with the tips given in the section “Prevention”, the teeth can thus be cared for and protected from renewed damage.
What you can do yourself
Tooth damage has with wrong nutrition and insufficient brushing technique mainly two causes and these can be influenced in the context of self-help in everyday life sustainably. Those who repeatedly have tooth damage due to caries and periodontitis can do something about it in everyday life. This applies both to acute cases and to a change in behavior, which has a preventive character. In acute cases, self-help depends on the type of tooth damage. In the case of a tooth that has been knocked out, it should be kept in the mouth until the dentist arrives to allow for possible replantation. The same applies to parts of crowns, which should also be taken to the dentist. Bleeding gums can be stopped with salt water. Pain can be relieved with a cooling pack on the cheek, among other things. Patients can also do a lot about chronic tooth damage or a predisposition to it. For example, the sugar content of food should be optimally reduced. This also applies to alcohol. Nicotine can also promote tooth damage, as it can mask periodontitis symptoms. Quitting smoking in a form of self-help, which therefore not only protects the heart and blood vessels. Tooth damage can also be prevented. Correct brushing technique and regular oral hygiene are the be-all and end-all in everyday life. Regular changing of toothbrushes and flossing is very important here.
