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The Typical Causes of Tooth Pain
All tooth pain should be diagnosed and treated as soon as possible to help avoid serious complications. In most cases, a rigorous oral hygiene routine will prevent toothaches or discomfort. There are a number of different possible causes for tooth pain including:
Dental Decay / Cavities
Though cavities often happen gradually, pain can occur suddenly. This should be taken care of as soon as possible to prevent an infection takes hold.
Injuries, Teeth Grinding and Damage
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. If you experience and injury or similar damage to your teeth then you will need to contact your dentist to have a filling or crown placed.
If you grind your teeth then you are likely to experience severe tooth sensitivity. Your dentist may be able to help you with breaking this painful habit.
Impacted Wisdom Teeth
Impacted wisdom teeth can cause pressure on the surrounding teeth as well as potentially becoming infected. 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 Teeth / Abscesses
If you suffer from a dental infection then you will have pockets within your mouth that are filled with pus. This not only creates painful sensitivity, but can also develop into a more serious, or even life-threatening, condition.
Gum Disease / Periodontal Disease
The early stage of gum disease is also known as gingivitis and has the telltale sign of bleeding while brushing your teeth. 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 some of the other causes of tooth pain?
Tooth sensitivity when experienced occasionally while eating or drinking is not necessarily an issue.
There are toothpaste that are formulated to help reduce this sensation.
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 help relieve tooth pain or 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.