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    Consultancy Corner: Care for your teeth during monsoon to avoid nerve pain

    The rains are here, offering respite from the blazing heat, but they also bring in a plethora of ailments like cold, fever, wheezing, diarrhoea, flu, etc. However, tooth pain is one of the most common problems faced during the monsoon. Most commonly, it’s the old who dread the colder season, whose common complaint is a tooth ache.

    Consultancy Corner: Care for your teeth during monsoon to avoid nerve pain
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    Dr Sanketh Reddy MDS, Dip CLSC, M Sc, Apollo White Dental Spa

    Chennai

    Our teeth have an abundance of nerves, but they sense everything as pain only, be it severe temperature changes or pressure changes. These ultra-sensitive nerves are protected by the enamel and the gums in younger population; however as we grow older, the enamel wears out and the gums also recede exposing the sensitive dentin that can send jolts of pain, or sensitivity, when something cold comes in contact with it. Therefore, one of the most common reason for dental symptoms during the colder weather is the cold air or water that contacts the exposed nerves of the worn out tooth. Besides the worn out teeth, the broken fillings that are cracked or fractured in teeth also get aggravated due to the cold air. 

    At low temperature, the nerves in the tubules of the dentin get agitated and transfer the temperature changes to the tooth pulp, which manifests as pain. Secondly, the maxillary sinus, an air-filled cavity in the face, might also get inflamed during the rainy season. This condition is called maxillary sinusitis, which often causes pain and root infection, in the upper premolars and molars. However in both cases, the pain or sensitivity occurs when there is a pre-existing damage in the teeth. Therefore, rather than taking over the counter remedies for these, it is better to visit a dentist and solve the problems once and for all. The dentist will examine and X-ray the teeth, look for micro cracks and gum exposures and seal them before they can cause severe pain. 

    A full digital mouth X-ray or orthopantomogram will also cover the sinuses and show up in minutes if there is any infection or fluid in the sinus, causing the heavy feeling on the upper jaw teeth. An advanced dental centre can also examine your teeth under a microscope and detect the flaws. For sensitive teeth – a painless laser desensitisation will help in a big way. 

    Oral Hygiene Advisory 

    Maintenance of good oral hygiene is a must. This can be achieved through brushing the teeth twice a day, flossing, tongue-cleaning, rinsing between meals, avoiding snacking between meals, having a balanced diet rich in fibre and nutrients and low in sugars and saying a big no to smoking and alcohol. One way to avoid toothache during the monsoon is to have a timely dental check-up prior to the season. This check will help out to diagnose dental decay, broken fillings, broken crowns, dislodged bridges and wasting diseases of the teeth namely attrition, abrasion and erosion. The dentist could also identify gum problems from early gingivitis to advanced periodontitis, gum pockets, recession and acute infections like gum boils. All the above listed problems can be fixed and treated if as the saying goes, ‘A stitch in time saves nine.’

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