Few things are worse than suffering from tooth pain that requires a visit to the dentist’s office. There are a number root causes that may be causing your tooth pain that involve different aspects of oral health. Below is a list of common conditions that cause tooth pain.
Tooth Abscess
A tooth abscess is one common cause of tooth pain. It occurs when a cavity becomes more serious and the infection spreads to the tooth pulp near the root of a tooth. The area becomes inflamed and fills with pus. The resulting inflammation can press on sensitive nerves in and around the tooth, causing pain that can be severe.
If you are suffering from an abscess, it’s important that you visit your dentist immediately. At the dental office, your dentist will remove the infection and a temporary filling is put into place, followed by a crown. Most often, your dentist will prescribe an antibiotic as well. Once the infection is removed, the swelling will go down and your tooth pain will subside.
Gum Disease
Gum disease involves inflammatory lesions that are caused by plaque — a biofilm that builds up on your teeth over time. The condition causes your gum tissues to become red and inflamed. The area around the teeth can become very sensitive. Often, the gums will bleed when you brush your teeth.
Treatment of gum disease involves removing the biofilm deposits. Next, your dentist most likely perform a root planing and scaling procedure. Scaling is simply scraping your teeth to remove deposits. The bacteria that causes the conditions are anaerobic, meaning they can survive without oxygen. Therefore, treating by brushing with diluted hydrogen peroxide is also a treatment for the condition. The solution can even be delivered into gum pockets using a water pick.
Wisdom Teeth
Wisdom teeth are often the culprit for tooth pain, especially in the teenage years. These intrusive teeth typically appear between the ages of 16 and 25. They are located in the very back of your mouth and can cause problems with your oral health. The wisdom teeth may come in at an angle that presses against existing teeth, which can cause tooth pain. In some cases, wisdom teeth may even come in directly under existing teeth.
If problems do occur, your dentist will recommend that your wisdom teeth be removed. The removal procedure is most often done under a local or general anesthesia depending on how many of your wisdom teeth are being removed. In most cases the recovery period for wisdom teeth extraction is only a few days. Following the guidelines your dentist recommends will help speed up recovery time.
Tooth Fracture
Another common cause of tooth pain is when the tooth is fractured. A tooth fracture can be caused by accidents related to a fall, car crash, sports, or other impact related incidents. It can even be the result of a prior root canal when the tooth is not properly filed down and the pressure causes a tooth fracture.
Treatment of a tooth fracture varies depending on the severity of the fracture. If you are experiencing pain related to a tooth break or fracture, it’s important for you to seek the help of an experienced dentist immediately.
You Don’t Have to Live with Tooth Pain
If you are suffering from tooth pain, don’t wait. Call Daxon Dentistry today to schedule an appointment with our experienced dental team!