Your Ajax Invisalign® Provider
What are the typical causes of tooth pain?
No matter what you think the cause is or how mild you think it may be you should contact your dentist for an examination as soon as possible. In most cases, a rigorous oral hygiene routine will prevent toothaches or discomfort. There are a number of possibilities when it comes to the source of dental pain such as:
1. Tooth Decay
While the pain from cavities can seemingly appear out of nowhere, the damage is commonly developing for an extended period of time. If left untreated it can lead to oral infections.
2. Facial Trauma or Injury
When your dental trauma is caused over time by a habit or by a sudden injury that you sustain you should visit your dentist as soon as possible. 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.
3. Wisdom Teeth Eruption
The wisdom teeth are the last set of teeth to erupt, usually happening in your late teens or early twenties. Unfortunately, most people need to have these teeth removed due to the likelihood of these teeth causing issues in your mouth. 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.
4. Infection or Abscessed Tooth
If you suffer from bacterial infections it can lead to pockets of pus within your mouth. This not only creates painful sensitivity, but can also develop into a more serious, or even life-threatening, condition.
5. Gum 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.
If your gum disease is already advanced then your dentist may recommend surgery, root canals or other more invasive dental care options.
What are some of the other possible causes of tooth pain?
If you have tooth sensitivity but it is mild and only occurs infrequently then you may not have any concerns.
For those with this type of mild sensitivity, there are toothpastes that can help coat the teeth and protect them.
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?
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.