Tooth Pain Relief Northwoods, MO
Tooth pain relief in Northwoods, MO. A toothaches is a common symptom for numerous different dental problems, ranging from mild to severe. If you have a mild toothache that just don’t go away, or feel sudden and intense tooth pain, go to a professional Northwoods, MO dental office right away. Even when not severe, tooth pain can be a sign of other conditions that will worsen if not treated promptly. If you’re looking for tooth pain relief in Northwoods, MO, call Plaza Dental Center now at 314-361-1818 or contact us online.
Top 9 Common Causes of Tooth Pain | Northwoods, MO Dental Center
Tooth pain can be owed to countless dental problems, some more serious than others. The following are the top 9 reasons people seek tooth pain relief for in Northwoods, MO:
- Teeth grinding — Also called bruxism, teeth grinding can be the result of stress, as a side effect of some medicines, alcohol, or just unknowingly when they sleep. Teeth grinding can grind away at enamel, or cause teeth to loosen, both of which can lead to tooth pain or tooth sensitivity.
- Temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMJ) — TMJ is an umbrella term for many different dental problems affecting your ability to control your temporomandibular joint, which attaches the jaw to the skull. When the joint isn’t functioning correctly, it can lead to a variety of symptoms including migraines, swelling, clicking, difficulty lowering your jaw, and pain when speaking.
- Gum disease — Conditions such as gingivitis or periodontitis occur when tartar builds up where the gums meet the teeth, irritating the gums. If you don’t seek treatment for gum disease, the gums start to recede, which pulls back the protective layer over your teeth and causes tooth pain. Gum disease is common, but highly preventable with healthy dental habits like brushing and flossing and regular cleanings and polishing.
- Oral cancer — If you just can’t seem to get rid of your tooth pain, the culprit may be oral cancer. Cancer in the mouth can appear as lumps, hard-edged cracks, or discoloration. While it’s usually highly treatable, if you don’t get treatment it could be life threatening.
- Cavities — A cavity is destruction of the enamel covering your teeth that is caused by tooth decay. When a tooth decays, it reveals the middle of the tooth, which is referred to as pulp. The pulp is made up of highly sensitive nerve endings, which cause tooth pain when exposed.
- Impacted wisdom teeth — Our ancestors needed wisdom teeth to chew tough food, but over time humans have developed smaller jaws. That causes wisdom teeth to not grow in, grow in sideways, or affect other teeth as they try to push through Based on research from the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, around 90 percent of people have at least one impacted wisdom tooth. Wisdom teeth can cause other teeth to shift position and can lead to infection and decay, which causes pain in the teeth and jaw.
- Tooth extractions — If your dentist recently extracted one of your teeth, the teeth around the pulled tooth may be sore for a few days afterwards. This is not dangerous and the pain will pass, and it can be reduced with acetaminophen or other easily available medicine.
- Nerve damage — A condition called trigeminal neuralgia occurs when the 5th cranial nerve is damaged. While most of the pain will be to the face and other areas of the head, it can lead to tooth pain when certain daily activities are performed.
- Damaged teeth — Infected teeth, broken teeth, and abscessed teeth are also common conditions that lead to tooth pain.
There are other causes of tooth pain that aren’t necessarily dental problems, such as heart disease, a sinus infection, or suffering an injury. While living a healthier life get rid of tooth pain, you’ll often need to see a dentist to address the underlying issues.
When to See a Dentist in Northwoods, MO for Tooth Pain Relief
There are a number of non-prescription drugs or mouthwash treatments or at-home remedies that can alleviate toothaches and provide tooth pain relief. However, if tooth pain won’t go away and/or it’s debilitating it’s always best to schedule a dental examination to make sure nothing else is wrong. If a tooth is cracked or loose, get to the dentist as soon as you can. If that tooth is not addressed, 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 Northwoods, MO for tooth pain relief if:
- The tooth pain goes on for more 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 moving your jaw
- You’ve suffered from chronic tooth sensitivity and it’s developing into tooth pain
- You have pain when chewing
Tooth pain is not something that should be ignored, as, if untreated, the underlying cause can spread to other parts of your mouth, head, and body. Often, the best thing to do is to seek professional tooth pain relief from a knowledgeable Northwoods, MO dentist.
How a Dentist in Northwoods, MO Can Offer Tooth Pain Relief
While other parts of your body can heal themselves naturally, our teeth cannot. If there is damage to a tooth, it can only be treated in Northwoods, MO by a dentist. When you first see your dentist, they’ll likely start with questions about what you’re experiencing. How long have you been experiencing tooth pain? What is your pain level? Where exactly is it? Does anything ease it or make it worse?
Then, they’ll perform an examination of your mouth to see if anything else is going on. Their recommendation for tooth pain relief will be based on what the root cause is. Cavities and other minor and common decay and be fixed with fillings or sealants. There are numerous of periodontal treatments available if the pain is the result of gingivitis or periodontitis. They may want to implant dental bonds, crowns, or implants for teeth that are damaged beyond repair. If the pain is related to nerve damage, your Northwoods, MO dentist may recommend a root canal for tooth pain relief.
The underling issues can only be determined in Northwoods, MO by a licensed dentist. If nothing seems to be working for tooth pain relief, request an appointment with a dental office as soon as possible.
Northwoods, MO Tooth Pain Relief | Plaza Dental Center
As always, prevention and care like proper oral hygiene and twice-yearly dental examinations is key to preventing tooth pain completely. But if prevention wasn’t effective, or you’re now regretting that you weren’t more active in your dental care, you can still find tooth pain relief. Our Northwoods, MO dentists are especially dedicated to helping patients who are apprehensive about going to the dentist, as we believe lasting tooth pain relief is something everyone in Northwoods, MO should have access to. Call Plaza Dental Center now at 314-361-1818 or request an appointment online.