Bel-Ridge, MO

Tooth Pain Bel-Ridge, MO

Tooth Pain in Bel-Ridge, MO. Tooth pain, or toothaches, can be either throbbing or sharp, but can make it difficult to eat, sleep well, or concentrate on daily tasks. If you’ve been dealing with continuous tooth pain it can be an indication of severe dental problems, and it’s best to visit your local Bel-Ridge, MO dentist as soon as you can. Call Plaza Dental Center today at 314-361-1818 or make an appointment online.

Causes of Tooth Pain | Bel-Ridge, MO Dental Office

Tooth pain comes about when the nerves in the roots of a tooth or surrounding the tooth become irritated. There are numerous ways that can happen. Some of the most frequent causes our Bel-Ridge, MO dental office sees are:

• Gum Disease:

  While mild forms of gum disease, for example gingivitis, typically do not lead to tooth pain, more significant types like periodontitis can cause it when the structure and bones underneath your teeth in the mouth are weakened.

• Tooth Decay, like cavities:

  Our tooth enamel is the tough outer layer of our teeth. When it wears down, bacteria and other substances can aggravate the nerves on the inside of our teeth.

• Sensitive Teeth:

  Tooth sensitivity is generally caused by damaged enamel or receding gums, though not as badly as with tooth decay or gum disease. Often, people with sensitive teeth will only feel tooth pain with hot or cold drinks or specific food.

• Abscessed Teeth:

  While we normally think of teeth as hard, the insides of a tooth are in fact made of soft tissue and blood vessels, which can suffer from infections. An abscessed tooth happens when there is an infection in what’s referred to as the “pulp chamber” on the interior of the tooth, and the infection gets to the root. Along with tooth pain, symptoms can include dark or swollen gums, an accumulation of puss, a salty or displeasing taste, swollen neck glands, or swelling face.

• Impacted Wisdom Teeth:

  If you have not gotten your wisdom teeth removed and are suffering from pain in the back and bottom molar area, it’s likely a good idea to have your wisdom teeth extracted. Neglecting to extract them can cause other teeth to move, cause jaw pain, and even result in bone loss.

• Oral Cancer:

  Oral cancer is an incredibly severe dental issue, but the good news is that it’s it is very treatable. It can be a growth or sore in the lips, gum, tongue, cheeks, or throat, and can cause tremendous pain. Tobacco and alcohol consumption, along with extended sun exposure, are risk factors.

• Temporomandibular Joint Disorder:

  Commonly called TMJ, this encompasses numerous disorders that impact the joint affixing the jaw to the skull. While the disorders do not directly result in tooth pain, it can result in misaligned chewing, teeth grinding, and problems with the mastication muscles, which can all result in tooth pain.

• Teeth Grinding:

  Technically knows as bruxism, is a common cause of tooth pain. There can be many reasons for teeth grinding, including:

  • Specific foods, such as caffeine, sodas, coffee, or chocolate
  • Alcohol and tobacco use
  • Chewing on pencils, or anything else that is not food
  • Stress or anger
  • Some medications
  • Misaligned teeth

  Treatment for teeth grinding commonly includes fluoride treatments to reinforce tooth enamel, fillings, or dental crowns.

How is Tooth Pain Treated? | Bel-Ridge, MO Dental Office

When you first visit your Bel-Ridge, MO dentist for your tooth pain, they will find the underlying cause of your tooth pain and advise the ideal treatment plan. Some of the common treatments for tooth pain are:

Fluoride Treatments

When plaque, bacteria, and sugars collect on your teeth, they can weaken the enamel. Flouride protects the enamel and is effective at treating sensitive teeth, helping with teeth grinding, and is advised for people with frequent cavities. Your Bel-Ridge, MO dentist can administer fluoride to your teeth as a gel, foam, or varnish. A professional fluoride treatment is much more effective than fluoride toothpaste or mouthwash.

Oral Surgery

Also called maxillofacial surgery, is required in more severe cases. Surgery can be used to:

• Remove cysts, growths, or tumors that cause pain
• Treat TMJ
• Remove impacted wisdom teeth or infected teeth
• Treatment of periodontitis

The Bel-Ridge, MO dental team at Plaza Dental are experienced and distinguished oral surgeons that will help you feel comfortable before, during, and after your surgery.

Root Canals

Root canals are usually necessary when the pulp chamber gets abscessed. Luckily, root canals are not much more complicated than a typical filling. Your Bel-Ridge, MO dentist will create an opening on the crown of the tooth, remove the soft tissue, and fill the void with a substance that sanitize the area. Not having a root canal for an abscessed tooth can lead to the infection to grow to your gums and other teeth, and may in the long run lead to you having the tooth removed.

Cosmetic Dentistry

Cosmetic dentistry with your Bel-Ridge, MO dentist doesn’t just make your smile look great, it can help relieve tooth pain. Dental bonding and dental crowns can help fix protect damaged teeth that are causing you pain. If you’re undergoing tooth pain owing to misaligned teeth, Invisalign® can help make them straight.

Preventing Tooth Pain | Bel-Ridge, MO Dental Office

Like nearly all dental problems, tooth pain prevention generally comes down to exercising proper oral hygiene. Your Bel-Ridge, MO dentist a Plaza Dental Center recommends the following simple steps you can take to protect your oral health:

• Brushing and flossing
• Twice yearly dental examinations
• Cleanings and polishing
• Having cavities filled promptly
• Using fluoride toothpaste and fluoride mouthwash

Check out the links below to see some of the other services we offer in Bel-Ridge, MO:

• Dental Emergency
• Gum Contouring
• Broken Tooth Repair
• Invisalign®
• Tooth Pain Relief
• Periodontal Treatment
• Composite Fillings
• Gingivitis Treatment
• Dentist Near Me

Tooth Pain in Bel-Ridge, MO | Plaza Dental Center

A lot of times, we don’t notice our teeth when they’re healthy. If you’re suffering from continual tooth pain, or have a fever along with your tooth pain, it’s best to talk to your local Bel-Ridge, MO dentist at Plaza Dental Center for an appointment as soon as possible. In addition to oral health, we strongly believe in patient education and making our patients comfortable in the chair. If you’re experiencing tooth pain in Bel-Ridge, MO, call Plaza Dental Center today at 314-361-1818 or contact us online.