The Smile Design Center of Baltimore

What's Causing Your Oral Pain?

Feeling sudden discomfort within your mouth can be uncomfortable and alarming; dental pain seldom goes away on its own, which is why you should always contact your dentist if you experience symptoms out of the ordinary. For help pinpointing possible causes of oral pain before attending your dental appointment, read on. If you align your symptoms with one of the following conditions, mention the possibility to your dentist.

Mouth Sores
Canker sores and cold sores commonly affect the mouth. Canker sores aren’t contagious and don’t have a specific cause, which makes them difficult to prevent; fortunately, they will gradually disappear without treatment. Cold sores are caused by the herpes simplex virus and are extremely contagious. Canker sores exist inside the mouth, while cold sores often develop on or around the lips.

Tooth Decay
If you ingest lots of sugar from soda, candy, and other treats, you’re allowing plaque to form on the teeth and create acids that destroy enamel. If you don’t adhere to proper oral hygiene and neglect to visit your general dentist regularly, these acids can cause tooth decay.

Abscesses
Abscesses are infections that occur between the gums and teeth or inside the pulp of a tooth. These infections are caused by poor oral hygiene or impaction and commonly develop around partially erupted wisdom teeth. Abscesses often leak pus and cause painful swelling and throbbing. If you suspect you have an abscess, call your dentist immediately.

Gum Disease
Gingivitis is the early stage of gum disease, which can worsen into periodontitis. Unfortunately, gum disease is extremely common and is most often caused by a lack of brushing and flossing. Gums affected by gingivitis will be swollen and bleed easily.

For more help diagnosing the cause of your oral pain, call The Smile Design Center of Baltimore at (443) 275-9821 or visit our website for more information. We believe that with the right care, your teeth can last a lifetime, and we are happy to help our patients enjoy maximum oral health, comfort, function, and aesthetics.

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Learn How You Can Maintain Strong, Healthy Teeth With These Resources

Maintaining a healthy mouth is the first step in promoting your overall wellness. Check out these links for more information on the risk factors for oral cancer and the different methods of dental sedation. Contact the implant, cosmetic, and general dentists with The Smile Design Center of Baltimore by calling (443) 275-9821 for more information on our services.

• Explore this article from the American Cancer Society for more information on the risk factors associated with oral cancer.
• Are you at risk for oral cancer? Find out with this overview from WebMD.com.
• Learn more about the different types of dental sedation methods by visiting this link from the American Dental Association.  
• This abstract from The Journal of the American Dental Association provides a brief discussion on the factors associated with dental anxiety.
• Check out this link from EverydayHealth.com to learn which foods are good for your teeth.

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Patient of the Week | Barbara Ahlfield

Our patient of the week from last week was Barbara Ahlfield. Barbara started with Dr. Kellner in 1984 at his Park Avenue office. We love having her in our office practice, as she is a very talented fashion illustrator and freelance artist. Her work can be seen at her website: www.fashionillustrationandmore.com.