Q: How does a toothache get started?
A: What actually causes the pain of a toothache is your body’s
reaction to an infection. A toothache certainly is one of life’s more unpleasant experiences. It can start as a dull throb and escalate to the point of excruciating pain. A couple of things are certain: a toothache is a sign of a problem and that problem should get prompt professional attention.
Generally, a toothache is the result of decay in the tooth. When a cavity reaches the pulp of the tooth it can let in the bacteria that cause infection. The body fights the infection by increasing blood flow to the infected area. But since the tooth’s pulp and nerve are encased in enamel, the pressure of the increased blood flow causes the swelling and pain that are the trademarks of the toothache.
As the infection spreads to the periodontal ligament, the membrane that holds the tooth in its socket, you will experience pain when the affected tooth comes in contact with another tooth. Anti-inflammatory drugs like naprosen or ibuprofen may ease the pain of a toothache, but they won’t cure the cause. Call the dentist at the first sign of a toothache.
If you, your family or friends need dental care, we would be honored to provide you with state-of-the-art dental care in our modern dental practice. Refer someone you love to someone you trust!
Presented as a service to the community by Doctors Hoover and Yanda,
39 Milford Drive, Hudson, Ohio 44236. 330-650-0360. www.drshooverandyanda.com
There are generally three phases to getting an 
Dentures are removable appliances that can replace missing teeth and help restore your smile. If you’ve lost all of your natural teeth, whether from gum disease, tooth decay or injury, replacing missing teeth will benefit your appearance and your health. That’s because dentures make it easier to eat and speak better than you could without teeth—things that people often take for granted.
Did you know that the average adult between the ages of 20 and 64 has three or more decayed or missing teeth? If you are missing one or more teeth, there are plenty of reasons to correct the problem. For one thing, a large space between your teeth may affect how you speak or eat. Even if it’s not noticeable, a missing molar can affect how you chew. Remaining teeth may shift which can lead to tooth decay and bone loss. 
A: There are at least three main methods people use to have their teeth whitened. There are over-the-counter methods available in most pharmacies. There are methods that are done entirely within the dental office. Lastly, there are methods that involve having trays fitted by a dentist that are then worn at home. Over-the-counter methods are the least expensive. They do work to a certain extent but tend to take longer and their “one size fits all” feature doesn’t work for everyone. Methods that are done entirely within the dental office and those involving custom-made trays by the dentist that are then worn at home both are more likely to brighten teeth more quickly and effectively. We choose to fabricate trays in our office for one major reason. All bleaching eventually fades and then requires whitening again to regain that brighter smile. With “in-office only” methods, they need to be done entirely over at full fee and that fee is typically higher than the custom tray method. With the custom tray method, when whitening is needed again since you still have the trays, the only expense with subsequent treatments is to purchase the tubes of bleach. That cost is minimal compared to starting all over again. Many of our patients choose the start of a new year as the perfect time to whiten their teeth.
People with Alzheimer’s disease may need some help with basic grooming and dressing tasks, including taking care of their teeth and mouth. As a caregiver, you can help!