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Category

Dental Health

Dental health information sorted by condition, treatment and symptom

Attrition
Conditions

Attrition

Attrition is a condition in which the chewing surfaces and front tooth edges wear down as the upper and lower teeth, or neighboring teeth, contact and rub against each other. Bruxism and clenching are the main causes, and it is managed with occlusal protective devices such as night guards.

4 min read

Abfraction
Conditions

Abfraction

Abfraction is a condition in which abnormal chewing forces flex a tooth, creating a wedge-shaped defect where the tooth meets the gum. This article covers its causes, symptoms, and the criteria for choosing restorative materials.

3 min read

Abrasion
Conditions

Abrasion

Abrasion is a non-carious lesion in which repeated friction, such as from improper toothbrushing, wears the neck of the tooth into a U-shaped notch. This article covers common causes, symptoms, and when treatment is needed.

3 min read

Cracked Tooth (Tooth Crack)
Conditions

Cracked Tooth (Tooth Crack)

A cracked tooth is a tooth with a crack along the chewing surface that hasn't broken all the way through, causing brief pain when chewing. This article covers its causes and symptoms, diagnosis with bite tests and transillumination, and the treatment path from monitoring with a temporary crown to a full-coverage crown or root canal treatment.

3 min read

Pulp Necrosis (Nerve Necrosis)
Conditions

Pulp Necrosis (Nerve Necrosis)

Pulp necrosis occurs when blood flow to the tooth's nerve (pulp) is cut off and the tissue dies; the disappearance of pain can actually be a sign that the condition is progressing. This article explains the causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment, along with the problems that can develop at the root tip if left untreated.

4 min read

Tooth Sensitivity (Dentin Hypersensitivity)
Conditions

Tooth Sensitivity (Dentin Hypersensitivity)

When gum recession or worn tooth surfaces expose the dentin, cold water or cold air can trigger a sudden, sharp twinge of pain. This article covers the causes, how it differs from sensitivity caused by cavities, how desensitizing toothpaste works, and when to see a dentist.

4 min read

Pulpitis (Nerve Inflammation)
Conditions

Pulpitis (Nerve Inflammation)

Pulpitis is inflammation of the pulp, the nerve tissue of the tooth. This article summarizes how it progresses from mild reversible pulpitis, through irreversible pulpitis that no longer recovers on its own, to pulp necrosis, along with the differences in pain at each stage, diagnosis, and treatment methods.

4 min read

Dental Caries (Tooth Decay)
Conditions

Dental Caries (Tooth Decay)

Dental caries (tooth decay) is a disease in which acids produced by bacteria in dental plaque dissolve the minerals in teeth. This article explains the boundary between early white spot lesions and cavities that require treatment, and why proximal decay is found using X-rays.

3 min read

Brown Spots on Teeth
Symptoms

Brown Spots on Teeth

This article explains why brown spots appear on teeth, distinguishing between surface-level problems and internal tooth discoloration, the conditions each may be related to, and when to see a dentist.

2 min read

Tooth Sensitivity to Cold Water
Symptoms

Tooth Sensitivity to Cold Water

This guide covers the common causes of a brief, sharp tooth sensitivity to cold water or cold air, how to tell them apart on your own, and when to see a dentist.

3 min read

When a Tooth Throbs Even at Rest
Symptoms

When a Tooth Throbs Even at Rest

A guide to the common causes of a tooth that throbs on its own even without a stimulus, how to check for yourself, and the signs that mean you need to see a dentist.

3 min read

A Hole in Your Tooth
Symptoms

A Hole in Your Tooth

This article covers the symptom of a visible hole or pit appearing on the surface of a tooth. It explains common causes, how to check for it yourself, and when to see a dentist.

2 min read