If you notice a color change or a blackened area in your tooth, you should make an appointment with your dentist immediately. What you eat is a big contributor to cavities. If you eat a lot of sweets or drink a lot of soda, you will be at a higher risk for cavities. Foods that are rich in sugar or starch are eaten by bacteria found in plaque, which will produce acids that eat through teeth. If you focus on all areas of your mouth, you ll get everything when you brush. Along with using the proper brushing techniques, you will also need to use the right toothpaste as well. There are a variety of toothpastes available, designed to help you with a variety of different conditions. You can get toothpaste that will prevent toothaches, stop sensitivity, and prevent things such as tartar and gingivitis. Laughing gas and IV sedation can put your mind at ease, so you won t be uncomfortable during your surgery or extractions. Although dental pain is something that many fear, it isn t near as bad as they may think. Most of the fear stems from not knowing, or thinking that it will hurt more than it actually does. Using various tools and equipment, he will go down inside of the tooth and scrape away the nerves and dead pulp. This is a very effective procedure, although very time consuming as well. In most cases, a root canal can take several hours, although it is the only way to stop the dying pulp and save the tooth. It s recommended by dentists as being the best, simply because it affects the nerve of the tooth and stops the pain where it starts. Mouthwash can also help tooth sensitivity, providing it contains fluoride. You can also ask your dentist which mouthwash he recommends, as there are several to choose from. A crack in the tooth is also a cause, although it can be difficult to diagnose, as cracks will normally appear to be invisible to the naked eye and x-rays. Cracks can make your tooth feel as if it is exploding, as they expose the dentin and nerves to the air and anything else you put in your mouth. If you don t get them fixed, they will get worse, possibly leading to your tooth breaking off at the gums.