ALL THE MANY CAUSES BEHIND TOOTH PAIN
Very few experiences are as dreadful as suffering from pain in a tooth. That suffering can be exacerbated when you don’t realize what’s causing your discomfort. Not all toothaches are the same, mainly because they can originate from many different causes. The site of your pain and the amount of your discomfort can help your dentist in Columbus, OH to zero in on the cause of your tooth pain, which will allow him or her to determine the most effective way to treat it. The extensively trained dental practitioners at DentalWorks – Easton see tooth pain virtually every day. We perform fast, effective treatments to eliminate your symptoms and boost your oral health. We have created a list of everyday triggers of tooth pain and how it should be treated:
- TEMPERATURE SENSITIVITY
Getting nerve pain while eating or drinking something that is hot or cold is known as tooth sensitivity. While many individuals may have a little tooth sensitivity every so often, if it is a frequent issue or is causing extreme tooth pain, it can be an indication of a worse underlying problem. Generally, tooth sensitivity is caused by an infection in the tooth, an abscess, or gum disease. Once your dentist finds the cause of your tooth sensitivity, they can tell you your treatment recommendations. When you have less intense or sporadic tooth sensitivity, you probably need to try a toothpaste purposely formulated for sensitive teeth.
- MISALIGNED OR IMPACTED TEETH
Aches and sensitivity in the jaws may happen when teeth are not straight enough, which can cause them to squeeze against one another. Teeth that are impacted will sometimes also lead to toothaches. To eliminate this pain, your orthodontist in Columbus, OH may need to perform an orthodontic treatment to adjust the alignment of your teeth or an extraction to remove an impacted tooth. Hopefully, you’re going to your dentist no less than two times per year for cleanings and oral health evaluations to allow them to catch dental concerns like impacted teeth or severe misalignment early, before you experience too much pain.
- CHIPPED TEETH
Fracturing a tooth isn’t uncommon. A tooth may be chipped or cracked playing sports, chewing something hard (such as ice), during an accident, and sometimes by bruxism. If extreme pain is noticeable, that is a sure red flag that a fracture has wended its way to the tooth’s interior, where the nerves are situated. Fairly often, however, the pain is delayed, only to become noticeable long after the fracture occurred, once the damage has become more expansive. That is why it is crucial to have tooth chips and fractures treated by your dentist in Columbus, OH quickly.
- PERIODONTITIS
A chronic pain in your jaws and bleeding gums are likely indicators of periodontal (gum) disease. By the time you start to develop tooth pain, you are most likely in the most serious stage of gum disease, referred to as periodontitis. To rid the tooth of infection, gum surgery is normally performed to open and scrape out the gum pockets. A cycle of antibiotics will also likely be prescribed to deal with any lingering bacteria.
- TOOTH DECAY
One of the most ubiquitouss triggers of an aching tooth is decay. When ignored, decay in the enamel of your tooth can eventually reach the soft inner pulp. When air and other irritants arrive at the nerves of your tooth, you will likely feel pain and heat and cold sensitivity. Depending on the amount of decay involved, you could need a filling or root canal to deal with the affected areas and salvage the tooth.
- BRUSHING AND FLOSSING TOO HARD
Remarkably, many people today are too rough while brushing and flossing their pearly whites. This extra roughness can harm the gums and cause them to bleed quite easily. Over time, the gums can recede, which also produces pain and makes your teeth less securely anchored. At DentalWorks – Easton, our dental professionals will ensure you understand proper brushing pressure with a soft-bristled toothbrush to decrease your potential for sore gums and teeth.
- GRINDING YOUR TEETH
Bruxism, most commonly referred to as teeth grinding, can trigger soreness in your teeth, jaw, and neck, plus other surrounding muscles. People of all ages in Columbus, OH who grind their teeth frequently do it while they are asleep or when feeling stress. Bruxism is done with the jaws rigidly squeezed together, so the top and bottom teeth are clenched against one another, which could cause pain, chips and tiny fissures, worn-down teeth, and head pain. Wearing a tailor-made night guard when sleeping is one of the most common options to reduce the damage of bruxism on the teeth and jaw.
- DAMAGED RESTORATIONS
Non-custom or damaged restorations can cause fairly significant oral discomfort. Those who have a crown, bridge, or dentures should be visiting their dentist in Columbus, OH at least twice each year to have the wear and fit of the restoration looked over. Individuals who are dealing with pain in or around the restoration are urged to make an appointment with their periodontist. An infection or other problem could have developed because of the restoration, which will need to be managed to restore oral health.
- ORTHODONTIC APPLIANCES
Soreness in the mouth and aching teeth are routinely caused by orthodontic devices, like braces and retainers that are used for tooth alignment. The soreness is commonly worst shortly after the normal adjustments to the arch wire or if you move to another set of aligners. Any soreness often disappears within a matter of days. OTC painkillers can also be used, if needed. If the pain doesn’t go away or becomes extremely uncomfortable, speak to your orthodontist or dentist to discuss whether it is possible to readjust the alignment appliance.
- ABSCESSED TOOTH
Besides disturbing the interior of the tooth, ignored decay will often also reach the adjacent gum tissue. Known as an abscess, this may lead to a pulsating pain inside your tooth. The generalized nature of this pain will sometimes make it hard to deduce which tooth is the center of the pain. If you think you could have an infection of the tooth or gums, it is critical that you talk to a dentist in Columbus, OH soon. Delaying treatment could result in the loss of the tooth, as well as parts of your gums and jawbone.
IT’S A BAD IDEA TO IGNORE TOOTHACHES
In addition to being particularly painful, toothaches are often inconvenient. Still, procrastinating about getting treatment is typically not the best idea, since it can cause even worse, more concering dental issues over time. At the initial indication of tooth pain, we invite you to speak with DentalWorks – Easton and schedule an oral health examination at our office. Our highly trained dental professionals are passionate about helping patients in Columbus, OH maintain their healthiest, most brilliant smiles.
