Whether it appears suddenly or after some time, and whether it is an alarming feeling or not, tooth pain is usually an indicator that some issue affecting the teeth, the gums or the nerve is at play. On the other hand, if you have been experiencing tooth pain and live in Toronto, knowing why you are feeling pain in your teeth can assist you in protecting your future tooth health.
Are You Ever Wondering If Your Tooth Pain Problems Are Severe?
If you have healthy teeth, you should not be experiencing pain of any kind. If you are feeling pain, there must be some sort of tooth/nerve deterioration, infection, or structural damage. When your pain gets ignored, it can escalate problems that slowly start as a small discomfort. Over time it will get worse, and will more than likely affect the tissues surrounding the tooth as well.
Some other reasons as to why you may be experiencing discomfort in your teeth are as follows:
Tooth Decay
You may experience sensitivity or feel some pain if the bacteria is eating through the enamel and reaches the softer layers of the tooth. If tooth decay is detected it is good to remember that the cavities can start off small but once the decay is starting to increase, it will worsen over time.
Gum Irritation or Infection
To soothe the inflammation in the gums that may be making your teeth feel sore, gum swelling and bleeding sensitivity can take place.
Cracked or Damaged Tooth
Cracked or fractured teeth can cause extreme pain when biting or chewing, and this pain can be sharp and terrible. Some damage can be so small that it is almost invisible, but it is able to go deep enough to reach the sensitive parts of the tooth.
Tooth Sensitivity
Tooth sensitivity is often caused by exposure to extreme heat, intense cold, or sugary treats, all of which can be the result of gum recession or the wearing away of the enamel covering the tooth surface. This is a phenomenon that can be caused by over brushing, tooth grinding, or eating a lot of acidic foods.
Infection or Abscess
When bacteria infiltrate the nerve deep inside the tooth, it can cause a lot of pain and swelling that is sometimes accompanied by a bad taste in the mouth. This is a tooth abscess, and it is a dental emergency.
Grinding or Clenching Teeth
Some people have a pattern of clenching or grinding their teeth without realizing it, but all of them will begin to feel pain once it starts to damage the teeth. This can cause tension, pain in the jaw, headaches, and nocturnal tooth enamel wear.
Sinus Pressure
In some cases, the sinuses can cause pain in the maxillary teeth, particularly the molars. This is a problem with the sinus cavities, which are near the roots of the molars. This is common with sinus infections or allergies.
Recent Dental Work
Everyone experiences discomfort after dental surgery like fillings, crowns, or deep cleanings. This discomfort fades in a few days. If you feel prolonged pain after a few days, you need to go to the dentist.
When You Should Be Concerned
Making your next dental exam a priority would be wise if you have the following:
- ⚠ Pain longer than the few days.
- ⚠ Pain that occurs while biting or chewing.
- ⚠ Inflammation of your gums or jaw.
- ⚠ Worsening of any sensitivity.
- ⚠ Broken or cracked tooth.
- ⚠ Chronic displeasing or foul taste in your mouth.
These types of symptoms usually mean that something more serious is going to happen. These problems won’t fix or resolve themselves.
Home Care to Reduce Tooth Pain
- ✓ Rinse your mouth with salt water to inflame the areas.
- ✓ Use a soft toothbrush and brush your teeth while doing a gentle motion.
- ✓ Use toothpaste made to protect sensitive teeth.
- ✓ If you feel pain triggered by very hot, cold or sugary food, do your best to avoid them.
- ✓ Use a cold pack on the jaw to help with discomfort.
- ✓ Drink water, and preserve healthy mouth.
Even if these things help to reduce discomfort in the long term it is home remedies. If the pain continues, get professional help.
Medical Management of Tooth Pain
Management varies based on what is causing the pain. A practitioner may suggest the following:
Fillings
This is necessary when there is active decayed tissue. Restoring the decayed tissue and closing the tooth stops the issue from gaining more severity.
Scaling
In the presence of gum infection, providing the individual with a gum and teeth cleaning can promote healthy gums and a reduction in gum inflammation.
Crowns or Other Restorations
Relief of pain may be achieved through placing a protective covering on the tooth in pain when the tooth in pain is broken or has a fracture.
Endodontics
When the nerve is dead, infected, or in need of intervention, a root canal procedure can be done in an effort to preserve the tooth while removing infection.
Custom Bite Guards
Reduction of pain in the jaw is achieved when the individual has a custom fitted guard when the causes of pain are grinding or jaw clenching.
Surgical Extraction
When a tooth is infected or severely damaged and may be a threat to one’s health, removal of the tooth is deemed necessary.
Timely intervention leads to optimal outcomes, decreased time in treatment, and a decreased amount of pain.
Healthy Teeth, Healthy Life
Tooth pain is often neglectful and it should not be. It is a health concern of the tooth and often the gum line when tooth pain comes and goes.
People in the Toronto area can get a healthcare professional to help identify the tooth pain and ease the situation with healthcare management and help avoid complicated scenarios in the future.