THE MANY CAUSES BEHIND TOOTH PAIN
Very few experiences are as painful as suffering from a toothache. That suffering can be compounded when you don’t know what’s causing your tooth pain. Not all toothaches are the same, especially because they can originate from many different causes. The location of your pain and the amount of your discomfort can help your dentist in Orange, OH to zero in on the cause of your tooth pain, which will help him or her to determine the best way to treat it. The highly skilled dental practitioners at DentalWorks – Beachwood see tooth pain on a daily basis. We provide fast, innovative treatments to eliminate your symptoms and improve your oral health. We have compiled a list of everyday causes of tooth pain and how it should be treated:
- GUM DISEASE
A dull pain in your mouth and bleeding gums are symptoms of periodontal (gum) disease. Once you start to develop tooth pain, you are most likely in the advanced stage of gum disease, called periodontitis. To clean out infection, gum surgery is usually performed to open and clean out the gum pockets. A round of antibiotics will also likely be prescribed to address any lingering bacteria.
- FRACTURED TEETH
Cracking a tooth isn’t uncommon. A tooth can be chipped or cracked playing sports, taking a bite of something hard (such as hard candy), during an accident, and even by bruxism. If serious pain is experienced, that is a sure sign that a fracture has wended its way to the tooth’s center, where the nerves are found. Sometimes, however, the pain can be delayed, only to become noticeable long after the incident occurred, once the damage has worsened. That is why it is important to have tooth chips and fractures addressed by your dentist in Orange, OH sooner rather than later.
- TOOTH DECAY
One of the most ubiquitouss culprits behind an aching tooth is decay. When left untreated, a cavity in the enamel of your tooth can eventually reach the soft inner pulp. Once air and other irritants reach the nerves inside your tooth, you may start to feel pain and sensitivity. Depending on the extent of decay involved, you may need a filling or root canal to deal with the infection and salvage the tooth.
- BRUSHING AND FLOSSING IMPROPERLY
Remarkably, most people are too rough while brushing and flossing their pearly whites. This extra pressure can irritate the gums and cause them to bleed more easily. Eventually, the gums may recede, which also causes pain and makes your teeth unstable. At DentalWorks – Beachwood, our dental team will ensure you understand proper brushing techniques with a soft-bristled toothbrush to decrease your risk of sore gums and teeth.
- MISALIGNED OR IMPACTED TEETH
Aches and pains in the mouth may happen when teeth are misaligned, which can cause them to squeeze against one another. Teeth that are impacted will sometimes also cause tooth pain. To eliminate this pain, your dentist in Orange, OH may recommend an orthodontic treatment to adjust the alignment of your teeth or an extraction to remove an impacted tooth. Hopefully, you’re visiting your dentist two times every year for cleanings and oral health assessments to ensure they catch problems like impacted teeth or problematic misalignment early, before you feel too much pain.
- ORTHODONTIC TREATMENTS
Soreness in the mouth and aching teeth are commonly caused by orthodontic devices, including braces and retainers that promote tooth alignment. The pain is commonly most pronounced shortly after regular adjustments to the arch wire or after you move to a new set of aligners. Any soreness usually subsides within a few days. Over-the-counter pain relievers can also help, if needed. If the pain persists or becomes particularly uncomfortable, contact your orthodontist or dentist to discuss whether it is possible to readjust the orthodontic appliance.
- TEMPERATURE SENSITIVITY
Experiencing nerve pain while eating or drinking something that is hot or cold is known as tooth sensitivity. While you may have mild tooth sensitivity every now and then, if it is a frequent problem or is causing serious tooth pain, it can be a sign of a worse underlying problem. In most cases, tooth sensitivity is caused by an infection in the tooth, an abscess, or gum disease. Once your dentist diagnoses the cause of your tooth sensitivity, they can tell you your treatment recommendations. When you have mild or infrequent tooth sensitivity, you probably need to try a toothpaste specially formulated for sensitive teeth.
- BRUXISM
Bruxism, commonly known as teeth grinding, can trigger pain in your teeth, jaw, and neck, as well as in other surrounding muscles. Patients in Orange, OH who grind their teeth usually do it while they are asleep or under stress. Bruxism occurs with the jaws tightly squeezed together, so the top and bottom teeth are ground against one another, which can result in pain, chips and cracks, worn-down teeth, and headaches. Wearing a custom-made night guard when sleeping is one of the most effective options to reduce the impact of bruxism on the teeth and jaw.
- DAMAGED RESTORATIONS
Non-custom or damaged restorations may cause fairly intense tooth pain. Anyone who has a crown, bridge, or dentures should be visiting their dentist in Orange, OH at least twice a year to have the wear and fit of the restoration looked over. Patients who are dealing with pain in or near the restoration are urged to schedule an appointment with their dentist. An infection or other problem may have developed because of the restoration, which will need to be managed to restore oral health.
- ABSCESSED TOOTH
In addition to disturbing the interior of the tooth, untreated decay can also reach the nearby gum tissue. Known as an abscess, this may cause a pulsating pain in your tooth. The widespread nature of this pain may make it difficult to deduce which tooth is problematic. If you suspect you might have a tooth infection, it is important that you talk to a dentist in Orange, OH soon. Delaying treatment can result in the loss of the tooth, as well as areas of your gums and jawbone.
DON’T IGNORE TOOTH PAIN
Besides being particularly painful, toothaches are also inconvenient. However, delaying treatment is usually not the best idea because it can lead to even larger, more concering dental issues over time. At the initial sign of tooth pain, we encourage you to speak with DentalWorks – Beachwood and schedule an appointment at our office. Our experienced dental professionals are dedicated to helping patients in Orange, OH achieve their healthiest, most beautiful smiles.
