Hello. Today we are going to talk about dental pain. I promise I’ll try to give the shortest explanation possible without difficult medical terminology.

Dental pain is an awful experience, which we should avoid. This article will give a brief explanation of it origins and 3 simple steps to avoid them.

First let’s define caries as an infectious chronic disease which destroys tooth, creating cavities which could progress until it reaches the pulp(nerve).

Also let’s talk about dental plaque, which is a sticky film formed in teeth which hosts different types of bacteria. How bacteria and plaque make pain happen?

Dental plaque start forming just seconds after we brush our teeth. Bacteria starts aggregating here, founding the essentials to live. Some bacteria are feed by carbohydrates. When they consume them, they produce an acid which starts eroding your tooth. The tooth is composed of three parts: enamel, dentin, and pulp (the nerve). The enamel is the most resistant part of the tooth in comparison to the other two. Bacteria's acid need months and years to completely destroy enamel before it contacts the dentin. After caries start affecting dentin, some kind of sensitivity may be felt. After the acid erodes this layer, then it arrives to the nerve, the pulp. At this moment, pain is on the way.

Action #1! As long as bacteria is at the enamel, we can avoid the caries cavitation. How? Destroying their “hotel”. When you brush and floss your teeth, that is exactly what you are doing. You are letting them without their home (the plaque, which is removed with the brush) and without food supply. That’s a good way to win a war, right? Well, you are.

Action#2! Fluoride can modify the chemical structure of your teeth, making them less soluble to the bacteria’s acid. This is our second weapon. You should use a mouthwash which contains fluoride. I had use ACT, and Colgate. Also there is a new version of Listerine which has this ingredient. Have in mind that the original formula does not contain fluoride. NOTE: NOT EVERY MOUTHWASH HAS THIS IMPORTANT INGREDIENT. READ THE LABEL. Do not forget to use them before sleeping, since that’s when salivary flow is low, letting the fluoride work longer.

Will this prevent getting dental pain?

If you efficiently remove the plaque, and strengthen your enamel with fluoride, caries progression is more difficult. If we arrest the progress of cavitation this way, bacteria will not get into the nerve. If they can not access your nerve, you will be pain free.

What if you already have cavities?

Action #3! Go to your dentist every 6 months, so he can remove caries before they get close to the nerve.

Following this easy steps, you will not have to worry again about loosing a tooth or losing night sleep.

Any question feel free to ask.

Your friend,

Dr. Cyberdentist, DMD.