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The tooth has a hard enamel coating and as long as this is not damaged in any way you should be free from toothache. However, this is easier said than done. How do we end up with toothache? What is it that damages the hard enamel coating?

When food debris is left on the teeth, especially if it is high in sugar, it forms a white film on the teeth known as plaque which is very sticky and attracts bacteria which then break it down into acids. These acids eat away at your tooth enamel, causing small holes in it known as cavities. The cavity in the enamel exposes the sensitive pulp of the tooth, causing it to hurt, and it is this that is toothache.

Of course it is not just your teeth that you have to take care of, but your gums are important too. If your gums become diseased, you may end up losing perfectly good teeth. Plaque can cause gum disease as well as tooth decay, and signs of gum disease are when your gums become red, swollen and sore. The pain of gum disease can be very similar to toothache.

Toothaches can be prevented by ensuring that the gums and teeth remain healthy. The dental care routine should include brushing, control of diet and regular dental checkups.

Regular brushing and flossing of teeth helps prevent tooth decay. Brushing removes bacteria and food particles which are lodged in the mouth. Ideally All tooth surfaces should be brushed and this takes at least 2-3 minutes. Using dental floss regularly, will reduce tooth decay, since the food and plaque in the spaces between the teeth are removed. Flossing will also improve the health of the gums.

The teeth should be brushed twice a day with a fluoride containing toothpaste. Studies have shown that fluoride prevents the formation of cavities. It also prevents existing cavities from becoming bigger and in some cases, reverses newly formed cavities. In many countries, fluoride is added to the drinking water by local government authorities.

Mouthwashes reduce the number of bacteria in the saliva , but only for a short time. Sugar free gum should be used to increase the production of saliva. Saliva neutralizes the acids produced due to the breakdown of carbohydrates and enzymes in the saliva clear the bacteria in the mouth. The damage caused to the enamel of the teeth by acids in the food is repaired by the saliva. The larger the gap between meals, the greater the time available for the saliva to repair the damage to the tooth enamel.

Cavities can be avoided by reducing sugary food and beverages in your diet. Also avoid drinking carbonated drinks, since acids in the drinks attack the tooth enamel. Processed foods like peanut butter stick to the teeth and are to be avoided. These foods are not removed from the mouth by chewing and swallowing, so you drink water after you eat these foods. Fresh fruit, vegetables and whole grains are good for dental health. Raw apples clean the teeth.

Visit a dentist regularly, usually once in six months, so that any dental problem is diagnosed at the early stage and is treated quickly. During middle age, gum diseases are common, so regular dental checkups are required.

Toothache Prevention Tips:

1.If you have sensitive teeth, you might want to use toothpastes that help you with your teeth’s sensitivity. There are number of toothpastes that are made for sensitive teeth that can be used to lower the sensitivity levels of your teeth.

2.Other things you can do to prevent toothaches and tooth decay is to choose what you eat.

3.Brushing, flossing, and using mouthwash after every meal and before going to bed is one of the best preventive measures you can use when trying to prevent tooth decay and toothaches from happening. You can ask your dentist for advice on what is the proper way to brush and which products are best known to keep teeth clean and healthy.

4.Wear a protective dental guard or headgear while playing sports to help prevent injury.

5.Keep your bridge or dentures clean. Your dentist can offer suggestions. Even if you do not have all of your original adult teeth, you can prevent new dental problems if you try these preventive tips.

6.Arrange to have your teeth cleaned by a dentist or dental hygienist twice a year. This has been shown to be effective in preventing both decay and gum disease. Dental x-rays may be needed every 3-5 years to identify problem areas.

7.Prevent tooth decay with fluoride. Fluoride is effective in preventing tooth decay in children. Fluoride is a natural element and is found in many water supplies and vegetables. Check and see if your tap water is fluoridated. If your water is not fluoridated, your dentist can prescribe fluoride tablets or fluoride supplements for children younger than 10 years.

8.Establish a good program of cleaning your teeth to remove the food particles. Brush your teeth after eating. Use a soft toothbrush with fluoride toothpaste as recommended by the American Dental Association. Floss between teeth daily and brush your gums to encourage healthy gums. Water jets are effective at removing trapped particles, but flossing your teeth does a more thorough job when done carefully.

9.Try to be careful with activities that are very physical and may cause you to chip your teeth or even make you lose them. Wear protective mouth guards to avoid the loss or chipping of a tooth if you suspect that the activity you are engaging in has that kind of a possibility.

10.Maintain a healthy diet. Bacteria thrive on refined sugar and starch and need this in order to burrow through the enamel on your teeth. Watch what you eat and be careful about food that sticks to and between your teeth. Brush your teeth after eating or add foods in your diet with some roughage that may act as a natural toothbrush. End your meal with a salad or apple.

Prevention is infinitely better than a cure where teeth are concerned since you might end up with damaged teeth that have to be repaired by a dentist, and these often cost a lot of money. Prevention is cheaper and easier to do since all you need to do is change your oral hygiene habits and remember to keep your teeth free from the bacteria that create enamel-eroding acids.

When you have a toothache and when you are trying to prevent toothaches from happening, there are some things you should and should not eat. Here are some dietary tips for those who are prone to toothaches and for those who wish to avoid them.

To help make your teeth strong and not so susceptible to decay and erosion, increase your intake of products that are high in vitamin C and in calcium. Vitamin C can be found in a lot of fruits as well as in green leafy vegetables. Calcium is found in dairy products and in canned fish like sardines and anchovies.To keep decay down, try to minimize your intake of foods that are heavy in sugar or are made of ingredients that can produce the fructose, glucose, and lactose that teeth bacteria love to feed on.Raw vegetables as well as whole wheat bread are good items to include in your diet since the fibres in these foods help keep teeth clean and healthy.To help with sensitive teeth and to avoid the worsening of pain when you have a chipped tooth or a cavity, try to forego foods that are either too hot or too cold.