Toothache

Why does my tooth hurt when I drink hot drinks?

Why does my tooth hurt when I bite down on it?

Our Solution
Temperature sensitivity indicates that tooth decay may have progressed deep into a tooth and started to damage the nerve.  If a tooth is left too long and untreated, the bacteria will cause an abcess and cause the nerve to eventually die.   An abscess can be very painful and a full-blown tooth ache usually requires root canal treatment.  

You should address temperature sensitivity early on to prevent costly treatment down the track.

Pressure sensitivity when biting can indicate that there is  a crack in the tooth.  This may be because the tooth has been heavily-filled before or it contains an amalgam filling which expands and contracts over time, exerting force on the tooth. 

Crowns are a great long-term solution because they give strength to the biting surface of the tooth. A crown covers the entire tooth and protects it from decay and cracks.

My gums don’t hurt so why is bleeding a problem?

How can I fix my bleeding gums?

Our Solution
Healthy gums don’t bleed. If you brushed your fingernails with a nailbrush and they bled this would concern you. The same applies to your gums. Puffy or bleeding gums are a sign of infection and inflammation (gingivitis). This affects your overall health. The bacteria in your mouth can be transported around the body in the blood stream causing further inflammation.

Bleeding is the start of the process that can lead to bone loss around the teeth and loose teeth.

Regular brushing, flossing and preventative dental care appointments every 6 months are the best ways to keep your gums healthy. You may need to see our hygienists every 3 or 4 months to get on top of the inflammation in your gums, or be referred to a specialist.

Why do I wake up with a sore jaw and teeth in the mornings?

What can I do to stop myself clenching and grinding my teeth at night?

Clicking, pain and tightness in the jaw and teeth are symptoms associated with disorders of the TMJ (temporomandibular joint) that connects the jaw to the skull.

Genetics, stress or injury may cause grinding or clenching of the teeth. Clenching and grinding (bruxism) exert additional forces on the teeth, leading to pain, breakage and wear.

A custom-made occlusal splint (night guard), physiotherapy, relaxation techniques and massage are some of the options available to treat and reduce the discomfort caused by TMJ problems.

Why do my wisdom teeth sometimes hurt?

Can you Take My Wisdom Teeth out in the chair?

Wisdom teeth usually appear in people’s late teens or early twenties.  They can cause pain for a variety of reasons.  

If they are impacted and unable to come through to the surface they will hit the molar in front of them.  Because  there is no space for them to erupt this pushing can cause crowding and pain.

They may grow sideways and partially erupt which can cause decay to develop in the molar in front.

An impacted wisdom tooth may result in food and bacteria getting trapped under the gum flap resulting in a painful infection and swelling..

Although uncommon, cysts can also form around the wisdom teeth resulting in bone loss.

After assessing your wisdom teeth (and the location of the nearby nerves) by taking an OPG xray we will decide whether your wisdom teeth can be safely extracted in our surgery. Sometimes we may need to refer you to a specialist oral surgeon.