What causes tooth pain & gum pain?
It's important to seek a dentist's diagnosis promptly, regardless of whether your toothache is mild or intense. Maintaining a thorough oral hygiene routine can often help prevent toothaches and discomfort. However, there are various potential factors that can contribute to tooth or gum pain, including the following:
Cavity/Tooth Decay
Though cavities often happen gradually, pain can occur suddenly. This should be taken care of as soon as possible to prevent an infection takes hold.
Grinding, Trauma or Injury
If you grind your teeth while sleeping, causing gradual wear and tear, or if you experience a sudden injury, like during sports, a fractured or damaged tooth can be extremely painful. It's important not to disregard this issue. Your dentist can suggest treatments such as fillings, crowns, or bonding to address and alleviate the problem.
Teeth grinding can also lead to tooth sensitivity problems. Feel free to ask your dentist for advice on how to break this harmful habit and get tips to help manage it.
Wisdom Teeth
When wisdom teeth become impacted, they often become quite painful due to the pressure they inflict on the surrounding teeth or infection. Impacted wisdom teeth can also lead to secondary issues including tooth damage and crowding if there isn’t enough space for them to erupt properly.
Abscessed Tooth
Bacterial infections may lead to pockets filled with pus. This not only creates painful sensitivity, but can also develop into a more serious, or even life-threatening, condition.
Gum Disease
Gum disease, also known as periodontal disease, can vary in severity, ranging from the early stage known as gingivitis to more moderate and severe stages. In the early stages, your dentist may address gingivitis by performing a procedure called scaling and root planing, which involves removing plaque buildup from the gum line.
In cases where gum disease has progressed to a more urgent and severe condition, you may require additional treatments such as a root canal, antibiotics, and/or surgery to address the issue effectively.
Other Potential Causes
It's important to mention that some individuals may experience temporary tooth sensitivity, which does not necessarily indicate a serious problem.
Using toothpaste specifically formulated for sensitive teeth may provide relief. Additionally, try to avoid consuming extremely hot or cold foods and beverages until the sensitivity subsides.
If you notice persistent sensitivity lasting beyond a couple of days, it may be a cause for greater concern, such as gum recession. In such cases, it is advisable to schedule an appointment with your dentist.
Furthermore, there are instances when the source of tooth pain may originate from outside the mouth. Viral or sinus infections, vitamin deficiencies, headaches, or colds can result in symptoms similar to those associated with a toothache.
Nevertheless, it is still recommended to make an appointment with your dentist, as ignoring or attempting to diagnose the pain yourself could lead to more serious issues. Most dental pain does not resolve on its own and should be evaluated by a dental professional.
What Helps Tooth Pain?
If you are wondering how to relieve tooth pain, the first and most obvious answer is to make an appointment with your dentist so that the issue can be diagnosed and treated.
In the meantime, there are a few home remedies for tooth pain you can try. Apply an ice pack or take an over-the-counter pain medication to reduce pain and inflammation. In some cases, a saltwater rinse can also help soothe and relieve tooth pain.