Your Camrose Invisalign® Provider
Are you feeling tooth or gum pain? Don't wait, contact your dentist immediately to schedule an appointment. In this article, our dentists at Camrose will talk about the possible reasons for your pain and provide tips on how to handle it until you can see your dentist.
What causes tooth pain & gum pain?
When you have a toothache, it's important to see a dentist right away to find out why it's happening. Taking good care of your teeth regularly can usually prevent toothaches and discomfort. But many things can cause tooth or gum pain, including the factors mentioned below.
Cavity/Tooth Decay
Cavities can develop slowly, but pain may arise suddenly. It's crucial to address this promptly to prevent the onset of an infection.
Grinding, Trauma or Injury
Are you experiencing tooth damage caused by teeth grinding during sleep or due to an injury from activities like sports? Don't ignore the pain! It's important to seek treatment from your dentist, who might suggest options like fillings, crowns, or bonding to address the issue.
Additionally, teeth grinding can lead to tooth sensitivity problems. Ask your dentist for helpful tips and guidance to overcome this harmful habit.
Wisdom Teeth
Impacted wisdom teeth can cause significant pain as they exert pressure on nearby teeth or cause infection. Additionally, they can lead to problems like tooth damage and overcrowding if there isn't sufficient room for them to grow correctly.
Abscessed Tooth
Bacterial infections can cause pockets filled with pus, which can be extremely painful and may progress to a more severe or life-threatening condition.
Gum Disease
Gum disease, also known as periodontal disease, can vary in severity, starting from the early stage called gingivitis and progressing to moderate and severe stages. In the early stages, your dentist may use a procedure called scaling and root planing to treat your gingivitis. This procedure involves removing plaque buildup from the gum line.
In more serious cases where gum disease has progressed to a severe stage, immediate action is necessary. You may require a root canal treatment, antibiotics, and/or surgery.
Other Potential Causes
Some people may have temporary tooth sensitivity, but it's usually not a serious problem.
Using toothpaste for sensitive teeth can help. Avoid eating very hot or cold food until the sensitivity goes away.
If you have ongoing sensitivity for more than a couple of days, it could be a sign of a more serious issue like gum recession. You should visit your dentist.
Sometimes, tooth pain can be caused by problems outside the mouth, such as viral or sinus infections, vitamin deficiencies, headaches, or colds.
It's important to schedule an appointment with your dentist even in these cases, as ignoring or misdiagnosing the pain yourself could lead to serious problems. Dental pain usually requires assessment by a dentist and won't go away on its own.
What Helps Tooth Pain?
If you're wondering how to ease tooth pain, the best option is to schedule a dentist appointment for diagnosis and treatment.
Meanwhile, you can try a few home remedies for tooth pain. Apply an ice pack or take over-the-counter pain medication to reduce pain and inflammation. Additionally, a saltwater rinse may provide relief and soothe tooth pain in certain situations.