5/5
191 Reviews

What is a Toothache?

A "toothache" is pain typically around a tooth, teeth or jaws. In most instances, toothaches are caused by a dental problem, such as a dental cavity, a cracked or fractured tooth, an exposed tooth root, or gum disease.

Dental Cavities

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Tooth decay is one of the most prevalent causes of toothache and oral health problems. It occurs when the protective layer of your tooth, known as enamel, is gradually worn down by bacteria and acids produced by plaque.
Plaque is a sticky film that forms on the surfaces of your teeth throughout the day, harboring harmful bacteria.
When you consume sugary or starchy foods, the bacteria in plaque break down the carbohydrates and produce acids as byproducts. These acids attack the enamel, weakening its structure over time.
Without proper oral hygiene practices, the constant acid assault can cause the enamel to deteriorate, exposing the underlying layers of the tooth.

Gum Infections

Early detection and treatment of gum infections are essential for preventing toothaches and preserving oral health. During regular dental check-ups at Great Smiles Dental, your dentist will thoroughly examine your gums, looking for signs of inflammation, redness, swelling, and pockets. They may also take X-rays to assess the condition of the underlying bone structure.

If gum infection is detected, prompt treatment is crucial. The specific treatment approach will depend on the severity of the infection. In mild cases of gingivitis, a professional dental cleaning, along with improved oral hygiene practices at home, may be sufficient to reverse the condition.
This involves removing the plaque and tartar buildup through scaling and root planing, followed by diligent brushing, flossing, and regular dental visits to maintain healthy gums.
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Tooth Fractures

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Cracked or fractured teeth can be another significant cause of toothaches, often resulting in sharp and persistent pain. When a tooth develops a crack or fracture, it can expose the delicate nerves within the tooth, leading to discomfort, heightened sensitivity, and even intense pain.
A cracked or fractured tooth occurs when there is damage or a break in the tooth’s structure. The severity and location of the crack or fracture can vary, ranging from minor superficial cracks that affect only the outer layer of the tooth (enamel) to more significant fractures that extend deep into the tooth, potentially reaching the nerve-rich pulp.
If you suspect you have a cracked or fractured tooth, it’s crucial to seek dental attention promptly. Your dentist at Great Smiles Dental can evaluate the extent of the damage using various diagnostic techniques, such as visual inspection, X-rays, and potentially, advanced imaging technologies.

Dental Extractions

When restoration procedures such as root canal therapy, crowns, or fillings are not enough to save a tooth, it may need to be pulled, or extracted.
Tooth extraction procedures today are far less painful than ever before, thanks to powerful anesthetics and sedatives. In many cases, a patient who has tooth pulled experiences little or no discomfort, and only minor bleeding.
Before a tooth is extracted, the area surrounding the tooth is numbed with a topical/and or injectable anesthetic such as Novocaine.
Patients with extracted teeth sometimes need to take an antibiotic, and at the very least, take precautions following the procedure to ensure that infection doesn’t occur.
Smoking, vigorous brushing and rinsing, and drinking liquids through straws are discouraged during the post-operative period because they hinder healing and may cause the wound to open. Cold compresses applied to the outside cheek near the extraction area can help reduce any swelling and promote faster healing.
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Wisdom Teeth

Wisdom teeth are the third and final set of molars that erupt in the back corners of the upper and lower normal adult mouth. Unfortunately, most people experience problems from wisdom teeth; in most cases, this is because the teeth erupt too close to existing permanent teeth, causing crowding, improper bites, and other problems.
If wisdom teeth are causing a problem and are not pulled, they can sometimes become impacted. Impacted wisdom teeth can be extremely painful, as well as harmful to your oral health. Symptoms are easy to spot: severe discomfort, inflammation, and some kinds of infections.
Many people need to have their wisdom teeth extracted to avoid future serious problems. In general, the lack of the four wisdom teeth does not hamper one’s ability to properly bite down, speak or eat.
If you experience any of the following symptoms, you may have an impacted wisdom tooth:

Meet Our Highly Trained Doctors

At our dental practice, your comfort and happiness matter to us. We’re dedicated to providing a friendly and stress-free environment for all of our patients.

Dr. Efraim Florendo

Dr. Efraim Florendo earned his Dental degree in 2000. His enthusiasm to expand his dental knowledge brought him to the field of Dental Research and he worked in San Francisco as a Dental Researcher for two years.

This vivified his passion for Dentistry and willed him to practice the Art and Science of Dentistry in various cities such as San Bruno, San Francisco, Sacramento, Vallejo, San Jose until he finally found his heart and decided to settle in the lovely and warm city of Modesto.

Dr. Alexandra Chang

Dr. Alexandra Chang, DDS, MS is a native of the San Francisco Bay area. She went to U.C. Davis for her undergraduate studies and attend U.C San Francisco for her Doctor of Dental Surgery degree. After completing her studies in Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics at The Ohio State University, she returned to California.

She has been practicing orthodontics for over 10 years and loves working with young children and adults. On her free time, she enjoys traveling and learning about new cultures. She also likes to spend with her family and two japanese bobtail cats.

Patient Reviews

Our commitment to providing top-notch dental care is reflected in our reviews. Visit our dental clinic to experience the exceptional quality firsthand.
5/5

The staff is so nice/friendly and welcoming. I definitely recommend coming here if you want an excellent service! 🙂

5/5

I like coming here because it feels very welcoming. Ladies in the front are very nice. Dentist very professional and listen to your needs. Totally recommend!

5/5

Thank you for keeping up such high standards in this industry; not many people do these days. Your staff is wonderful, too. Everyone has always been so kind to me on each visit.

5/5

I went in 3 days ago and this girl named Alyin helped me and she made me feel so welcomed! Overall the staff there is very nice and made my appointment very pleasant.

5/5

I just want to say Aylin has been a great!!! She's full of positive energy and creates a welcoming environment. Fast and create a happy place for my family.

5/5

I highly recommend them. They have a very nice staff and quick appointments. Thanks for helping me !

5/5

Great customer service from the staff, receptionist are friendly and helpful. Also my appointments are quick, im in and out fast.

5/5

Loved it here!! Ask for Maritza when it comes to Insurance she’s really the best she’s awesome when it comes to explaining everything per detail and making sure you understand what you and your insurance are paying for.

Contact Us

Looking for us? Our location is super convenient with easy access in and out, so you’ll have no trouble getting here. Plus, we’re always happy to chat on the phone and schedule a consultation with you!

Complete Care for Your Family

You can rest assured that your smile and those of your loved ones are in the very best of hands at Great Smiles Dental As your dentist in Modesto, CA” we maintain an unwavering commitment to excellence, providing skilled, state-of-the-art treatment to achieve exceptional results of care.

What our customers say

5/5

The staff is so nice/friendly and welcoming. I definitely recommend coming here if you want an excellent service! :)

5/5

I like coming here because it feels very welcoming. Ladies in the front are very nice. Dentist very professional and listen to your needs. Totally recommend!

5/5

Thank you for keeping up such high standards in this industry; not many people do these days. Your staff is wonderful, too. Everyone has always been so kind to me on each visit.

5/5

I went in 3 days ago and this girl named Alyin helped me and she made me feel so welcomed! Overall the staff there is very nice and made my appointment very pleasant.

5/5

I just want to say Aylin has been a great!!! She's full of positive energy and creates a welcoming environment. Fast and create a happy place for my family.

5/5

I highly recommend them. They have a very nice staff and quick appointments. Thanks for helping me !

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