Tooth Pain Relief Jennings, MO
Tooth pain relief in Jennings, MO. Tooth pain can be caused by numerous different dental problems. It can be dull and annoying, or can cause debilitating pain. If you have a mild toothache that just don’t go away, or suddenly feel severe tooth pain right away, go to a qualified Jennings, MO dental office as soon as possible. Even when not severe, tooth pain can be an indicator of other ailments that will worsen if not treated promptly. If you’re looking for tooth pain relief in Jennings, MO, call Plaza Dental Center now at 314-361-1818 or make an appointment online.
Top 9 Common Causes of Tooth Pain | Jennings, MO Dental Center
Tooth pain can be owed to countless dental problems, from mild to significant. Read on to see the top 9 most common ailments a dental office in Jennings, MO can provide tooth pain relief for:
- Teeth grinding — Also called bruxism, teeth grinding can be the result of anxiety, as a side effect of some medical conditions, caffeine, or merely unknowingly when they sleep. Teeth grinding can grind away at enamel, or cause teeth to loosen, both of which cause tooth pain or tooth sensitivity.
- Temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ) — TMJ refers to many different conditions that affect the temporomandibular joint, which which acts like a sliding hinge between your jawbone and skull. When your ability to move your jaw is limited, it can cause a variety of symptoms including migraines, inflammation, clicking, difficulty opening the mouth, and pain when speaking.
- Gum disease — Conditions such as gingivitis or periodontitis occur when tartar builds up at the root of the teeth, which affects the gums. If you don’t seek treatment for gum disease, the gums pull back, which exposes sensitive parts of the teeth, causing tooth pain. Gum disease can easily be prevented with healthy dental hygiene like brushing and flossing and twice-yearly cleanings and polishing.
- Oral cancer — If tooth pain just keeps lingering, it’s possible that you are suffering from oral cancer. Cancer in the mouth can appear as bumps, cold sores, or discoloration. While most cases can be cured with prompt and professional care, if it’s not caught early it could be deadly.
- Cavities — A cavity is a hole in a tooth that is caused by tooth decay. When that destruction occurs, it exposes the center of the tooth, which is called pulp. The pulp contains incredibly sensitive nerve endings, which cause tooth pain when exposed.
- Impacted wisdom teeth — Our mouths are meant to hold 28 teeth, not 32. That causes wisdom teeth to not grow in, grow in sideways, or affect other teeth as they try to push through According to the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, roughly 90 percent of adults have at least one impacted wisdom tooth. Wisdom teeth can cause other teeth to shift position and can lead to infection and decay, which can result in pain in the wisdom tooth and surrounding areas.
- Tooth extractions — If you’ve recently had a tooth extracted, the teeth around the pulled tooth can hurt for one to several days after the procedure. This is not dangerous and the pain will pass, and it can be managed with ibuprofen or other easily available medicine.
- Nerve damage — A rare, but chronic condition called trigeminal neuralgia occurs when the 5th cranial nerve is irritated. While it mostly causes pain to the face, it can result in tooth pain when brushing, eating, or drinking.
- Damaged teeth — When teeth are broken or cracked it can also cause toothaches.
There are other causes of tooth pain that aren’t necessarily dental problems, such as heart disease, brushing too hard, or suffering an injury. While there are some lifestyle updates you can make to prevent tooth pain, you’ll often need to see a dentist to fix the underlying issues.
When to See a Dentist in Jennings, MO for Tooth Pain Relief
There are a number of non-prescription drugs or mouthwash treatments or things you can do at home that can alleviate toothaches and provide tooth pain relief. However, if tooth pain is a common problem and/or it’s severe it’s a good idea to request a dental examination to make sure nothing else is wrong. If a tooth is cracked or loose, see a dentist as soon as you can. If untreated, food and bacteria can find their way into those gaps and cause serious dental problems.
It’s imperative to get dental care right away in Jennings, MO for tooth pain relief if:
- The tooth pain lasts longer than two days
- The tooth pain begins suddenly and is unbearable
- You have other symptoms, such as a fever, pain elsewhere in your face, or pain when opening your mouth
- You’ve suffered from tooth sensitivity for a while and it’s getting worse
- You have pain when biting down
Tooth pain is not something that should be ignored, as, if you do not seek treatment, the root dental problem can spread to the jaw, skull, or even your bloodstream. Often, the best thing to do is to make an appointment with a tooth pain relief expert in Jennings, MO.
How a Dentist in Jennings, MO Can Offer Tooth Pain Relief
Our teeth aren’t like muscles, ligaments, and elsewhere in our body that can heal on their own. If there is damage to a tooth, it can only be treated in Jennings, MO by a dentist. When you first see your dentist, they’ll likely start with questions about your tooth pain. How long have you had tooth pain? How severe is the pain? Where exactly is it? What makes it better or worse?
Next, they’ll check inside your mouth to see if anything else is going on. Their treatment and manner of getting tooth pain relief will depend on what their diagnosis is. Cavities and other minor and common decay and be fixed with fillings or sealants. There is a wide array of periodontal treatments they may recommend if the pain is caused by gum disease. They may want to implant dental bonds, crowns, or implants if teeth are chipped, cracked, or broken. If the pain is the fault of nerve damage, your Jennings, MO dentist may recommend a root canal for tooth pain relief.
The root cause can only be determined in Jennings, MO by a professional dentist. If you’ve tried everything else for tooth pain relief and your symptoms aren’t improving, request an appointment with a dentist as soon as possible.
Jennings, MO Tooth Pain Relief | Plaza Dental Center
As always, prevention and care such as proper dental hygiene and biannual cleanings and polishings is the best way to avoid toothaches completely. But if that didn’t work, or you’re now wishing you had taken dental care more seriously, it’s not too late to seek treatment. Our Jennings, MO dentists are particularly dedicated to helping patients who are nervous about going to the dentist, as we believe meaningful tooth pain relief should be available to everyone in Jennings, MO. Call Plaza Dental Center today at 314-361-1818 or contact us online.