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What are the common causes of tooth pain?
Diagnosing tooth pain as soon as possible is the only way to help prevent more serious dental conditions from developing. 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.
Dental Decay
Cavities don't just happen overnight although the pain associated may. Contact a dentist at the first sign of tooth pain to ensure protection against serious complications.
Injuries to Teeth
No matter how your tooth has become cracked or broken you should have it examined as soon as possible as exposed tooth pulp can quickly become infected. Your dentist may recommend treating it with a filling, crown or bonding.
Grinding may also cause tooth sensitivity issues. Speak with your dentist to learn how you may be able to kick this habit.
Impacting Wisdom Teeth
When you suffer from an impacted wisdom tooth you may also experience pressure that causes pain on the surrounding teeth. 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.
Infected Tooth (Abscess)
When you have an infected tooth it will likely become filled with pus and create painful sensitivity. This can also develop into a more serious, or even life-threatening, condition.
Gum Disease (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 that’s progressed to severe gum disease, you may need a root canal, antibiotics, and/or surgery.
What are the causes of tooth pain?
Temporary sensitivity is not a concern that needs to be seen by the dentist. this can be relieved using a special toothpaste that contains ingredients to minimize sensitivity.
If you notice 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 what you might feel with a toothache.
However, it’s still worth it to schedule an appointment with your dentist as 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.
What can you do to relieve dental discomfort?
If you are wondering how to relieve tooth pain, the first and most obvious answer is to make an appointment with your dentist so that the issue can be diagnosed and treated.
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.