If hot and cold foods or drinks cause an acute pain in your teeth, you may have a cracked tooth or a cavity. Wearing down of the enamel and exposed roots can also cause this unpleasant sensation. If the protective layers of enamel and cementum are worn away only dentin is left behind. Dentin does a poor job of protecting nerves which can sense the temperature changes in your mouth as a result of the food and drinks you consume. If gums recede, this dentin can also become exposed near the gum line, an issue that's preventable through proper flossing and dental care. Desensitizing toothpaste may be recommended by your dentist and can help by limiting the sensitivity of nerves. Relief can also be found in the dentist office through the use of fluoride gel or bonding agents. In the worst cases, a root canal may be necessary to completely fix the problem.

There are several factors that can contribute to bad breath. First and foremost, the air that you exhale is affected by what you choose to eat. Certain foods, like garlic and onions, can be absorbed into the bloodstream and travel to the lungs, escaping into the air when you breathe out. In general, maintaining proper dental hygiene will do a lot to prevent bad breath by fighting the buildup of bacteria. However, bad breath can also be caused by medical disorders, certain medications, or tobacco products. For this reason, it's important to maintain a consistent schedule of checkups with your dentist. They will be able to help determine the root of the problem and come up with a solution.

Yellow teeth are common among habitual coffee drinkers and tobacco users. Moreover, some people will have naturally darker teeth. Whitening is a solution which can be done both in-office by your dentist or at home by purchasing a kit at the grocery store. The effectiveness of these tools will vary between patients.

Stemming from a variety of causes, mouth sores can be painful and irritating. There are two categories that they typically fall under.

Canker sores:

These sores are not contagious, are located inside the mouth or lips, and their exact cause is unknown. They are characterized by a white center and usually heal fairly quickly on their own. If the sore is particularly sensitive, avoid foods that may irritate it, like acidic fruits or spicy fare.

Cold sores:

Caused by a type of the herpes virus, cold sores are highly contagious and often occur around the outside of the mouth. Once infected, a person has the virus for life and they are likely to experience continued outbreaks. There are anesthetics available over the counter that can help with the discomfort and in some cases a dentist may suggest the use of antiviral medication.

Tooth decay occurs as the enamel protecting teeth is broken down. This process is caused by bacteria that live in the mouth. Ingesting carbohydrate rich food or sugary drinks causes these bacteria to make acid that damages the enamel over time, creating cavities. This can occur in adults as well as children; receding gums make tooth decay especially prevalent for those over fifty years old. Working to prevent tooth decay and cavities is as simple as taking good care of your teeth. Always follow a consistent and regular brushing and flossing regime and eat balanced meals. Your dentist can also help by identifying problems and using supplemental fluoride or dental sealants.

If you wake up with a sore jaw or headache, you might be grinding your teeth at night. Grinding your teeth, or bruxism, is common and in some cases can result in tooth fractures. Visiting your dentist and getting a mouth guard is the easiest way to deal with this issue. A mouth guard will protect your teeth at night and have you waking up feeling better.

Between six months and a year old, a baby's first teeth will typically start to come in. It's important for a dentist to see the baby when this process begins. A dentist will be able to show you proper cleaning techniques and will advise you on how to take care of your baby's teeth. Tooth decay can occur the minute that a tooth appears in the baby's mouth, so maintaining proper hygiene is critical. While they may not be permanent, baby teeth are equally as important as the adult teeth your child will have for the rest of their life. Most children will have a full set of baby teeth within three years of birth. To help ease the discomfort that comes with teething, you can give your child a clean teething ring to chew or carefully rub their gums with wet gauze or a cooled spoon.

Starting with their front teeth, children will usually start losing their baby teeth around their fourth birthday. You can expect them to have a full set of permanent teeth by the time they are 13.

Children should see their dentist upon signs of their first baby teeth coming in. Like adults, scheduling appointments at least once every six months is prudent though your dentist may request more frequent visits depending on the child.

In some cases, constant and long term thumb sucking can result in the movement of a child's teeth and directly affect bone growth. In particular, children should break this habit when their permanent teeth start to come in. However, if you notice changes in your child's baby teeth due to aggressive thumb sucking, be sure to take them to the dentist. Generally, children will stop by the time they are two to four years old.

If the tooth is a permanent tooth, it's important to quickly take action. If it's still in your child's mouth, leave it there; otherwise, do your best to find it and rinse it under cold water. Be sure that you do not scrub it—this can damage important attached tissue. If possible, return the tooth to its socket so that it can begin the healing process. Otherwise, preserve the tooth in milk or cool water. No matter what you do with the tooth call the dentist or hospital immediately. Ideally, your child should receive professional dental care within thirty minutes, although teeth may still be saved if they are out of the mouth for over an hour.

Root canals are tiny separations that reach from the pulp in a tooth's dentin to the base of the tooth's root. Every tooth has between one and four root canals. The procedure called a root canal is utilized when teeth are badly decayed and infected. The process includes removal of the tooth's pulp and nerves. These nerves are unnecessary once the tooth has fully emerged and only work to sense differences in temperatures.

Mercury in dental amalgams is safe because its nature changes when combined with the other materials in the amalgam. The mercury an individual is exposed to through living with an amalgam is less than what they are exposed to in their everyday environment. Studies have shown that amalgam is safe and claims of disease have not been proven legitimate.

Caps and crowns are the same thing; they completely cover a tooth or dental implant. Often, they are used when cavities pose a threat to a tooth's continued health. Typically, caps and crowns last for five to eight years though good dental practices can result them lasting for longer.

If you have gum disease, a water pick may be recommended by your dentist. Antibacterial solutions can be put into the pick's reservoir and help to fight infections. Such solutions require a prescription from your dentist.

Typically, teeth whitening procedures can create a noticeable difference in tooth color for five to seven years. This time period will be shorter if you continue the behaviors that stained them in the first place, like drinking coffee.