Common Causes and the Most Effective Treatments for Toothaches and Oral Pain

11/25/2019

THE MANY CAUSES BEHIND TOOTH PAIN
Few experiences can be as dreadful as suffering from tooth pain. That distress can be multiplied when you don’t understand what's causing your tooth pain. No two toothaches are exactly the same, mainly because they can have multiple different causes. The location of the pain and the level of your discomfort can help your dentist determine the reason for your toothache, which will allow him or her to determine the most effective way to treat it and help you bring back your happiest smile. The extensively trained dental practitioners at MINT Dentistry confront tooth pain on a daily basis. We perform quick, cutting-edge remedies to alleviate your symptoms and boost your dental health. We have put together this list of everyday causes of tooth pain and ways it might be treated:

  • MISALIGNED OR IMPACTED TEETH
    Aches and discomfort in the teeth can happen when teeth are crooked, which can make them squeeze against one another. Impacted teeth could also cause oral discomfort. To eliminate this pain, your orthodontist may suggest an orthodontic treatment to correct your tooth alignment or an extraction to remove an impacted tooth. Ideally, you're seeing your dental practitioner twice a year for professional cleanings and dental health evaluations to make sure they catch dental concerns like impacted teeth or significant misalignment early, before you have too much discomfort.
  • PERIODONTAL DISEASE
    A chronic pain in your mouth along with gums that bleed easily are likely indicators of gum (periodontal) disease. By the time you begin to this pain, you are most likely experiencing the latest stage of gum disease, referred to as periodontitis. To clean out infection, gum surgery is usually done to open and clean out the gum pockets. A round of antibiotics will also likely be prescribed to address any lingering bacteria.
  • BRUXISM
    Bruxism, commonly called teeth grinding, may trigger pain in your teeth, jaw, and neck, plus other nearby muscles. Patients who grind their teeth usually do it while they are asleep or in times of stress. Tooth grinding occurs with the jaws tightly squeezed together, so the top and bottom teeth are clenched against one another, which could result in pain, chips and cracks, tooth erosion, and migraines. Wearing a tailor-made night guard to bed is among the most effective options to reduce the impact of bruxism on the teeth and jaw.
  • BRUSHING AND FLOSSING TOO HARD
    Remarkably, the majority of men and women use too much pressure while brushing and flossing their teeth. This unnecessary pressure can irritate the gums and cause them to bleed more easily. At some point, the gums will be worn away, which also creates pain and makes your teeth loose. At MINT Dentistry, the dental team will demonstrate proper brushing pressure using a soft-bristled toothbrush to decrease your potential for inflamed gums.
  • ILL-FITTING RESTORATIONS
    Poorly fitting or broken restorations might cause fairly intense oral discomfort. Those who have a dental crown, bridge, or dentures should be seeing a dentist at least twice per year to get the wear and fit of the dental restoration looked over. Individuals who are having pain in or near the restoration should set up an appointment with their dental practitioner. An infection or other problem might have formed due to the restoration, which will need to be treated to restore oral health.
  • CHIPPED TEETH
    Cracking a tooth isn't too difficult. A tooth could be broken or cracked playing sports, taking a bite of something hard (such as ice), in an accident, and perhaps by tooth grinding. When extreme pain is present, that is a definite red flag that a fracture has found its way to the tooth’s center, where its nerves are found. Fairly often, however, the pain is postponed, only to start up long after the event occurred, once the damage has become more expansive. That is why it is crucial to get tooth chips and fractures treated by your dentist sooner rather than later.
  • DENTAL ABSCESSES
    Besides disturbing the inside of the tooth, neglected infection will often also reach the nearby gum tissue. Referred to as an abscess, this might cause a pulsating pain in the tooth. The generalized nature of the pain can make it difficult to determine which tooth is the cause. Should you think you might be developing a tooth infection, it is important that you get help from a dentist soon. Putting off treatment can result in the loss of this tooth, as well as areas of your gum tissue and jawbone.
  • ORTHODONTIC DEVICES
    Discomfort in the mouth and aching teeth are frequently caused by orthodontic appliances, including braces and retainers, that are used for tooth alignment. The soreness is generally worst right after standard adjustments to the archwire or after you move to a new set of aligners. Any discomfort often disappears in a couple of days. Non-prescription analgesics can also be used if necessary. In the event that your pain continues or grows particularly uncomfortable, get in touch with your orthodontist or dentist to discuss whether it is possible to modify the orthodontic appliance.
  • TOOTH DECAY
    One of the most pervasive culprits behind an aching tooth is decay. If not treated properly, decay in the enamel of the tooth can creep into the soft inner pulp. Once air or other irritants arrive at the nerves of the tooth, you might begin to experience pain and heat and cold sensitivity. Depending upon the degree of decay you have, you could require a tooth-colored filling or root canal to clear out any affected areas and salvage the tooth.
  • TEMPERATURE SENSITIVITY
    Experiencing a piercing pain when eating or drinking something that is too hot or cold is known as tooth sensitivity. While most people might have slight tooth sensitivity every now and then, when it is a chronic problem or is creating serious toothaches, it can be an indication of a concerning issue. Typically, chronic tooth sensitivity results from a tooth infection, an abscess, or periodontal disease. Once your dentist finds the reason for your temperature sensitivity, they can talk about treatment recommendations. In the case of less intense or sporadic pain from tooth sensitivity, you should try a toothpaste specially designed for sensitive teeth.

YOU SHOULD NEVER IGNORE TOOTHACHES
Beyond being incredibly uncomfortable, toothaches are also a hassle. Still, procrastinating about getting treatment is usually not a great idea, since it can lead to much worse, more concerning dental issues later on. At the initial symptom of a toothache, we urge you to reach out to MINT Dentistry to schedule an appointment at our practice. Our skilled dental professionals are devoted to assisting our patients in maintaining their healthiest, most alluring smiles.

* All information subject to change. Images may contain models. Individual results are not guaranteed and may vary.