Severe ache
I have been suffering from acute pain in a particular tooth on the lower jaw. This tooth has a cavity. What should I do?
If the pain is very severe and referred (i.e. it spreads towards the eye or ear), then it is a case of irreversible pulpitis. The only treatment available is the root canal treatment, where under local anesthesia, the infected nerve is removed. No antibiotics will be of any help in such a case. Contact a dentist immediately.
FUNNY Sensation
I get a strange sensation in a particular tooth on the lower jaw while eating sweets. The pain does not last for more than a minute. I also have some black spots on that tooth. What is wrong with my tooth?
It seems to be a case of dental caries. It has not yet infected the pulp. In this case, simple filling with a suitable material after removing the caries will help you overcome the problem. But a black spot on the tooth without having any kind of sensation is most likely to be due to some oral habit or lack of proper oral hygiene. If so, oral habits (if any) must be stopped and proper brushing maintained. Deposition of tartar around the gum has to be removed by ultrasonic scaling.
Broken tooth
I am an 18-year-old football player. One of my front teeth was partially broken in an accident. This has changed the look of my face. What should I do now?
You have not mentioned when the accident occurred. If you met with the accident recently and if you have the broken piece, you can bring it to the dentist, and get it reattached by using composite resin. In such cases, it has been seen that the large area of bone inside the jaw is destroyed and a cyst is formed. This needs to be operated on. Please consult a dentist at the earliest.
bleeding gums
I am a 40-year-old woman with swollen gums. There has also been frequent bleeding, foul smell and slight pain for the last few months. Please suggest a remedy.
It is a case of chronic periodontitis. In most cases, the ideal treatment is ultrasonic scaling. Sometimes it may require flap curettage surgery. After the surgery, regular follow-up is necessary. You must consult a specialist in periodontics.
jaw displacement
My son (14 years) met with an accident that caused displacement of his lower jaw. This has disfigured his face. He underwent surgery, but it failed to make any significant correction. What should we do?
It seems to be a case of mal-union after the fracture of the mandible (lower jaw). This should be treated by refracturing the mandible and its proper positioning by using titanium or steel plates and screws. Thorough general check-up, multiple X-rays and blood tests, including complete haemogram, may be needed for proper investigation before surgery. This should be treated by oral and maxillofacial surgeons.
Small opening
I am 35. The opening of my mouth has become smaller overthe last few months. Why is this happening?
It seems to be a case of oral submucous fibrosis. In all such cases, patients say they have some oral habit or the other (chewing pan masala, supari, pan, etc). Immediately get rid of such a habit. A biopsy has to be done and according to the result, either a local injection or topical application of steroid or both should be continued. Submucous fibrosis is completely curable if it is treated on time. But if neglected, it may turn malignant. Contact an oral pathologist without delay.
YOUR HEALTH
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