Mendoza Dental Clinic

18/07/2026

Why do toothaches often feel worse at night?

A tooth that barely hurts during the day can become intensely painful after lying down to sleep. This isn't just imagination—there is a biological explanation.

When lying flat, blood flow to the head increases. If the dental pulp—the soft tissue inside the tooth containing nerves and blood vessels—is inflamed (a condition called pulpitis), the increased blood volume can raise pressure within this rigid, enclosed space. Because the pulp is surrounded by hard dentin and enamel, it has very little room to expand. Even a small increase in pressure can stimulate pain-sensitive nerves, making the toothache feel more intense.

Nighttime can also amplify tooth pain for other reasons. With fewer external distractions, the brain becomes more aware of pain signals. In addition, natural circadian changes in pain sensitivity and inflammatory responses may further increase discomfort in some people.

A toothache that worsens at night is often a sign of an underlying dental problem, such as deep tooth decay, pulpitis, a dental abscess, a cracked tooth, or advanced gum disease. Pain relievers may temporarily reduce discomfort, but they do not treat the underlying cause.

A worsening nighttime toothache should never be ignored. Early diagnosis and treatment offer the best chance of relieving pain, preventing infection, and preserving the natural tooth.

• Disclaimer: This post is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional dental advice.

14/07/2026

Baby tooth cavities can sometimes affect the permanent teeth developing underneath.

When tooth decay becomes severe and leads to infection, the bacteria and inflammation may interfere with the normal development of the permanent tooth below. Research has linked severe decay in primary teeth with enamel defects, discoloration, delayed eruption, and other developmental changes in some permanent teeth.

Baby teeth also help guide the eruption of adult teeth, maintain space in the jaw, and support normal chewing and speech. Losing them too early because of decay can increase the risk of crowding and bite problems later in life.

Early prevention and timely treatment of cavities help protect both primary teeth and the healthy development of the permanent teeth that follow.

• This post is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional dental advice.

12/07/2026

What you should know about thumbsucking 🤔🤔🤔

👶This Is why thumb sucking should be stopped before permanent teeth erupt.

Thumb sucking is a normal self-soothing habit during infancy and early childhood. In most children, it stops naturally between 2 and 4 years of age. However, when the habit continues after the permanent front teeth begin to erupt, it can interfere with normal growth of the teeth and jaws.

The constant pressure from the thumb can push the upper front teeth forward, tip the lower front teeth inward, narrow the upper jaw, and create an anterior open bite—a condition in which the upper and lower front teeth no longer touch when the mouth is closed. Some children may also develop a posterior crossbite, speech difficulties, or problems biting and chewing.

The severity of these changes depends on how often, how long, and how forcefully the thumb is sucked. Children who suck their thumb for many hours each day are at a much higher risk of developing bite problems than those with an occasional habit.

The good news is that if the habit is stopped early—before significant skeletal changes occur—many dental changes can improve naturally as the child grows. Regular dental check-ups allow early detection, timely guidance, and intervention if the habit persists.

•Disclaimer: This post is for educational purposes only and not a substitute for professional dental advice.

11/07/2026

🦷 A healthy smile starts with the right dental care! ✨
Don't wait until a tooth hurts. Regular dental check-ups help prevent problems before they become serious.

At Mendoza Dental Clinic, we're committed to providing gentle, quality dental care in a comfortable and friendly environment.
Our services include:
🦷 Regular Check-ups
✨ Light Cure Fillings
🪥 Oral Prophylaxis (Teeth Cleaning)
😁 Fixed & Removable Dentures
🦷 Tooth Extractions

📍 Visit us: Visaya corner Corregidor Streets, Makati City
📞 Book your appointment:
0917 443 2869
📩 Message us on Facebook: Mendoza Dental Clinic

Because your smile matters. We look forward to helping you achieve a healthier, brighter smile! 💙

24/05/2026

Impacted wisdom tooth can damage healthy tooth next to them 😔

Most people think wisdom teeth only become a problem when they hurt.

But impacted wisdom teeth can quietly damage the healthy tooth beside them long before any pain starts.

When a lower wisdom tooth grows sideways or gets stuck under the gums, it can trap bacteria and food between the teeth — creating an area that is extremely difficult to clean properly.

Over time, this can lead to cavities forming on the back side of the second molar, often hidden deep below the contact point.

A clinical study published in the Journal of Clinical and Experimental Dentistry found that distal decay in the second molar occurred in about 1 in 4 cases involving impacted lower wisdom teeth. The risk was especially high when the wisdom tooth was horizontally impacted and touching the neighboring tooth near or below the gumline.

The dangerous part is that this damage can remain completely silent in the early stages.

Many patients discover the problem only after:
• deep decay develops
• food gets stuck constantly
• the second molar becomes painful
• root canal treatment is needed
• or the healthy tooth beside the wisdom tooth can no longer be saved

That’s why regular dental X-rays are important — especially if you still have impacted wisdom teeth.

Sometimes, the tooth that hurts the least can cause the most damage.

📄 Reference:
Marques J, et al. Impacted lower third molars and distal caries in the mandibular second molar. Is prophylactic removal of lower third molars justified? J Clin Exp Dent. 2017;9(6):e794-e798.