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Dental Pain Affecting Your Teeth & Gums
When you are experiencing any dental concern it will be important to seek professional dental care as quickly as possible. In most cases, a rigorous oral hygiene routine will prevent toothaches or discomfort. However, many potential factors can cause tooth or gum pain, including the following:
Tooth Decay and Cavities
Cavities develop gradually but the pain they cause can occur suddenly. Any damage to a tooth caused by decay should be treated as soon as possible to prevent an infection from taking hold.
Injuries to the Face
Whether you grind your teeth in your sleep and gradually wear them down, or you sustain an injury in some more immediate way, for instance, while playing sports, a fractured or damaged tooth can be very painful – don’t ignore it. Your dentist may recommend treating it with a filling, crown or bonding.
Grinding may also cause tooth sensitivity issues. Ask your dentist for tips on how to break this harmful habit.
Impacted Wisdom Teeth Causing Pressure
When wisdom teeth become impacted, they often become quite painful due to the pressure they inflict on the surrounding teeth or infection. Impacted wisdom teeth can also lead to secondary issues including tooth damage and crowding if there isn’t enough space for them to erupt properly.
Infections Leading to Dental Abscesses
Bacterial infections may lead to pockets filled with pus. This not only creates painful sensitivity but may also develop infections that lead to serious complications, some of which can be life-threatening.
Gum Disease or Periodontal Disease
Gum disease (periodontal disease) can range from early stage (gingivitis) to moderate and severe. In the early stages, your dentist may treat your gingivitis with a procedure called scaling and root planing – the process of removing plaque buildup from the gum line.
For a more urgent case progressing to severe gum disease, a root canal, antibiotics, and/or surgery may be necessary to stop the pain and restore good oral health.
Some of the Other Possible Causes of Tooth Pain
Occasional, short-lived tooth sensitivity is not usually a cause for concern.
You can help prevent this issue by using toothpaste with ingredients that help prevent this sensation. It may also be a good idea to avoid consuming extremely hot or cold food and drinks until the sensitivity goes away.
If you experience ongoing sensitivity (for more than a couple of days), this may be cause for more serious concern, such as gum recession, and you should see your dentist.
There are also times the issue that’s causing your tooth pain may lie outside your mouth. Viral or sinus infections, vitamin deficiencies, headaches or colds may cause symptoms similar to those you might feel with a toothache.
Nonetheless, it’s still important to schedule an appointment with your dentist to have the issue checked out since ignoring or misdiagnosing the pain yourself could lead to serious issues. Most dental pain won’t stop on its own and should be assessed by your dentist.
How to Relieve Tooth Pain
The only way to make sure that your dental pain goes away is to see your dentist for an evaluation and the appropriate treatment.
In the meantime, there are a few home remedies for tooth pain you can try. Apply an ice pack or take an over-the-counter pain medication to reduce pain and inflammation. In some cases, a saltwater rinse can also help soothe and relieve tooth pain.