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A toothache can come on slowly or suddenly and often causes serious pain and discomfort if left untreated. However, this unfortunate 
condition is treatable with the help of your dentist. Dr. Michael Pugh of Artistic Dentistry in Huntsville, AL offers various procedures for diagnosing the cause of and treating toothaches. Find out more about toothaches and what you can do about them.
What causes a toothache?
Toothaches can occur due to various situations. When the nerve, which sends pain signals to the brain, becomes damaged or irritated, you feel it as a toothache. Often, a toothache is a result of tooth decay reaching the tooth’s inner pulp chamber which houses the blood vessels and nerve. However, the nerve can also become damaged by injury or trauma to the tooth. Bruxism (tooth grinding), gum disease, or an abnormal bite can also cause a toothache. Underlying conditions like TMJ disorder cause toothaches due to the tension placed onto the jaw by the condition.
How are toothaches treated?
If you have a toothache, you should schedule an oral examination with your dentist immediately. If a toothache is a result of tooth decay, you will most likely need a root canal. This procedure allows your dentist to preserve the structure of the tooth by removing its contents, cleaning out the infection, and restoring the strength of the tooth with a dental crown. If a toothache is a result of an injury or trauma, your dentist will repair the tooth to relieve the pain. Toothaches caused by an underlying condition require treatment of the condition itself.
Preventing Toothaches in Huntsville, AL
Preventing toothaches is easy with proper oral hygiene. You should see your dentist at least twice a year for regular examinations and cleanings. These appointments will help keep your teeth healthy and clean and allow your dentist to treat existing conditions early before a toothache ever occurs. Brush at least twice a day and floss at least once to maintain the results of your regular cleanings.
For more information on toothaches or routine dental examinations, please contact Dr. Michael Pugh at Artistic Dentistry in Huntsville, AL. Call (256) 536-3386 to schedule your appointment with Dr. Pugh today!
It's easy to understand why soda is such a popular beverage: it's inexpensive, tastes good and many varieties give that much 
needed caffeine boost to make it through the morning or the mid-afternoon. However, the negative effects that soda has on your teeth lessens its benefits. Your dentist in Huntsville, Alabama, Dr. Michael Pugh, sees many patients at Artistic Dentistry who have extensive tooth decay due to their soda habit. You'll learn why soda - even the diet alternatives - have earned such a bad reputation.
Regular soda
Everyone knows that sugar is bad for your teeth. But do you know why? It turns out that sugar is easily fermented, or broken down, by the naturally-occurring bacteria in your mouth. As this sugar ferments, it creates an acid that eats away at the healthy structure of teeth. Your Huntsville dentist is particularly concerned about patients who have an all-day soda habit; the teeth are constantly coated in sugar, never giving the saliva much of a chance to rinse it away.
Diet soda
Diet soda was created in the early 1950's for diabetic people who still wanted to enjoy a fizzy beverage; it originally contained a sugar substitute called saccharin. Many decades later, diet soda continues to be popular for those who need or want to regulate their sugar intake - the National Center for Health Statistics estimates that about one-fifth of the population drinks it daily. However, diet soda has never been intended as a dental-friendly drink. Why? Two of the main ingredients in most diet sodas are phosphoric acid and citric acid, which means that the erosive effect on your teeth is still present when you drink sugar-free soft drinks.
While most people can enjoy soda infrequently, dentists agree that the best drink for your teeth, as you might imagine, is pure water. If you think your soda habit may be causing you problems, contact Artistic Dentistry in Huntsville, Alabama to schedule an appointment with Dr. Michael Pugh.
When to Visit Your Dentist
until your tooth aches to visit your dentist, schedule a routine check up now. - To prevent gum disease. Gum disease is one of the leading causes of adult tooth loss. If diagnosed in its early stages, gum disease can be easily treated and reversed. However, if you wait for treatment, gum disease will advance to a more serious stage called periodontitis.
- To prevent oral cancer. The Oral Cancer Foundation informs us that someone dies of oral cancer every hour of every day in the United States alone—that’s a lot. Visiting your dentist in Huntsville will help you to prevent this deadly disease because as your teeth are cleaned, your dentist will also perform an oral cancer screening.
- To prevent tooth loss. Gum disease is one of the leading causes of tooth loss in adults, which means regular visits are vital to keeping your teeth. Your dentist will help clean your teeth and make sure gum disease is kept at bay.
- To prevent dental emergencies. Most toothaches and dental emergencies can be easily avoided just by regular visits to your dentist. Your dentist maintains the ability to detect any early signs of problems with your teeth and gums, which helps to prevent emergencies later on. However, if you do encounter an emergency due to an injury, etc. then your dentist is available for emergency visits, as well.
Are you ready to learn more about getting dental veneers in Huntsville, AL?
Wow, that actor certainly has a beautiful smile. It may be the first thing you notice about actors on TV or even people that you pass on the street. A smile is often the most obvious and eye-catching feature we notice about someone. Of course, if your smile isn’t up to par then you may feel rather self-conscious about your appearance. Don’t worry, our Huntsville, AL, dentist Dr. Michael Pugh has your back with dental veneers.
What are dental veneers?
These individually made, thin porcelain shells are bonded to the front of your teeth to provide immediate changes to the color, shape, and size of your smile. Whether you choose to just get one dental veneer to change an oddly shaped tooth or you want to get a full set of veneers to transform your smile, the choice is up to you. Veneers are made from the highest-quality porcelain that even reflects light in the same way that real teeth do so people won’t be able to tell that you have veneers.
Who’s a good candidate for veneers?
You could be right for getting dental veneers if you are looking to hide:
- Discolorations and deep-set dental stains
- Chips and cracks
- Gaps and uneven spacing between teeth
- Misshapen teeth
- Worn-down teeth
- Minor overlapping of teeth
Before our Huntsville, AL, cosmetic dentist determines whether or not you are ideal for veneers, Dr. Pugh will need to examine your smile to make sure that there is no decay or gum disease present. He will also discuss your treatment goals to make sure that veneers can offer what you are looking for. Lastly, we will talk to you about your daily habits, from your oral care routine to whether you grind your teeth, to determine if veneers are the best course of action.
Are dental veneers forever?
If you are getting traditional dental veneers, then some tooth enamel must be removed from the front surface of your teeth before veneers can be applied. Enamel cannot grow back. The removal of it is permanent. This means, that the veneers you have will be your new smile for the rest of your life. Of course, veneers are not designed to last forever, no matter how resilient porcelain is. They will need to be replaced at some point.
Whether you have questions about dental veneers or you want to find out if your smile could benefit from these restorations, the dental experts at Artistic Dentistry in Huntsville, AL, are ready to help you achieve your dream smile.
Are you ready to learn more about what these restorations could do to enhance your smile?
Dentistry has certainly come a long way over the centuries. We can do everything from brightening smiles to replace missing teeth. 
Despite all the amazing advancements in technology, there are still some restorations that stand the test of time. The appearance, function and materials may change, but the overall idea remains the same. From the office of our Huntsville, AL, dentist Dr. Michael Pugh, learn more about these tried-and-true restorations.
Crowns and bridges can work together or separately. You may need a dental crown if you are faced with a damaged tooth. Teeth that become cracked, chipped or broken could sustain more damage or become weaker over time. They need something to cover it to protect it. This is where a crown comes in. A crown is made to look just like a real tooth and can even be made from tooth-colored materials so that no one will even know you have a restoration.
Dental bridges, on the other hand, are used to replace missing teeth. This restoration will actually use crowns to support the bridge and secure it into place. The crowns and bridge will be made from impressions taken of your mouth. Once the dental lab has created these restorations you will come back in so your Huntsville, AL, general dentist can fit you with your new dental work.
If you are getting a dental bridge the crowns will be cemented over the teeth that surround the gap. Before you get your bridge we will need to assess the overall health of your smile to make sure those teeth are strong enough to support dental crowns and a bridge. Once the crowns are cemented into place the false teeth are then bonded in between the crowns.
While we would love for any dental restoration to last a lifetime, at some point you will have to have your crowns and dental bridge replaced. This is why it’s important that you continue to follow up with us every six months for routine exams to make sure your restoration is still healthy. We will also provide you with a list of ways to care for your new restoration so that it can last you a long time.
Artistic Dentistry in Huntsville, AL, is dedicated to improving and restoring your smile. Whether you require cosmetic changes or full-reconstructive treatments, we are here to give you a healthy smile that lasts. Call our office today.
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