Q1. I frequently experience bleeding when I brush my teeth. I do not use too much strength when brushing and have tried using toothbrushes with softer bristles. Even using an electronic toothbrush has not helped. Is this a symptom of some disease? A. Healthy gums do not bleed under normal gentle brushing. When your gums bleed, it implies that there is an underlying disease. There are different kinds of gum diseases. The mildest is called gingivitis, which in simple terms means gum inflammation. The most common symptom of gingivitis is bleeding of the gums. Other symptoms include swollen and reddish gums. Some sufferers even experience pain. Gingivitis is curable. With proper oral hygiene and dental cleaning, it can be eradicated and the gums will stop bleeding. If it progresses unchecked, it becomes a more serious form called periodontitis. This form of gum disease will have all the symptoms present in gingivitis. On top of that, some patients will experience more extensive swelling, pus and blood. The gums will tend to recede and teeth may become shaky. At this stage, the disease becomes irreversible. However with proper treatment and therapy, gum diseases can be managed very successfully. Proper identification of the cause of the problem is very important. There are other possible reasons why the gums will bleed during brushing, but they are quite obscure. I would strongly advise you to visit a dentist for a proper dental check-up. Q2. I feel a sudden sharp pain on my tooth when I bite into hard things, such as small fish bones or the sand on some vegetables. I have had fillings done, so why is this so? A. The pain you feel can have many causes, which can only be determined through a proper examination and X-ray. The common causes include: 1. Tooth fracture When there is a crack in the tooth, germs can get pass the protective enamel into the more sensitive dentine. Every time you bite on this tooth, saliva gets in, stimulating the nerve endings there. Eventually, the crack gets deeper and encroaches into the pulp chamber. Once germs get access into the pulp, the nerves, blood vessels and other vital tissues get infected, leading to severe pain and swelling. If your tooth is cracked, you will need to get it repaired or even crown it so that it does not crack further. If the crack has reached the pulp, you might need root canal treatment. 2. Tooth decay Bacteria in the mouth use sugars to produce acid that attacks the enamel of the teeth, softening and then eroding them. Enamel breakdown leads to cavities. If erosion spreads beneath the enamel, pain and sensitivity may eventually result. 3. Gum infection Bacterial plaque is the primary cause of gum disease. If plaque isn't removed each day by brushing and flossing, it hardens into a rough, porous substance called calculus (also known as tartar).Toxins (poisons) produced and released by bacteria in plaque irritate the gums. These toxins cause the breakdown of the fibres that hold the gums tightly to the teeth, creating pockets which fill with even more toxins and bacteria. As the disease progresses, pockets extend deeper and the bacteria moves down until the bone that holds the tooth in place is destroyed. The tooth becomes shaky and painful when biting. 4. Worn out teeth Teeth can be worn down so much that the enamel is rubbed off, exposing the inside of the tooth which is called dentine. When exposed, dentine may become sensitive. This can happen to people who grind their teeth habitually in a condition called bruxism. It can also happen to those with crooked teeth, because misaligned teeth results in wrong bite. 5. Faulty fillings If you had a filling done recently, the tooth could be sensitive due to a transient pulpal response to the filling material or procedure. This should go away after a few weeks. If the old filling is cracked or leaking, the tooth may also decay under the filling. The information provided above is for your general knowledge only. You should seek professional advice or treatment for your condition. http://www.todayonline.com/articles/285171.asp