Tooth Pain Relief St. Ann, MO
Tooth pain relief in St. Ann, MO. A toothaches can be the result of numerous different ailments, ranging from mild to severe. If you’re experiencing consistent toothaches, or feel sudden and intense tooth pain, seek medical treatment from a professional St. Ann, MO dentist right away. Even if you think you can manage the pain, tooth pain can be an indicator of other conditions that will worsen if not treated promptly. If you’re looking for tooth pain relief in St. Ann, MO, call Plaza Dental Center now at 314-361-1818 or schedule an appointment online.
Top 9 Conditions That Cause Tooth Pain | St. Ann, MO Dental Center
Tooth pain can be owed to numerous dental problems, from mild to debilitating. Below are the top 9 most common dental problems a dentist in St. Ann, MO can offer tooth pain relief for:
- Teeth grinding — Technically known as bruxism, some people grind their teeth because of anger, as a side effect of some misaligned upper and lower teeth, because of too much caffeine, or during transitions in the sleep cycle. Teeth grinding can grind away at enamel, or loosen them from the gums, both of which are a common cause of tooth pain or tooth sensitivity.
- Temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMJ) — TMJ is an umbrella term for several dental problems impacting temporomandibular joint, which which acts like a sliding hinge between your jawbone and skull. When your ability to move your jaw is impacted, it can lead to a host of symptoms including headaches, inflammation, clicking, difficulty lowering your jaw, and pain when making facial expressions.
- Gum disease — Gum diseases such as gingivitis or periodontitis are the result of tartar building up where the gums meet the teeth, irritating the gums. If untreated, the gums start to recede, which exposes sensitive parts of the teeth, causing tooth pain. Gum disease can easily be prevented with proper dental hygiene like brushing and flossing and biannual cleanings and polishing.
- Oral cancer — If you just can’t seem to get away from your tooth pain, the culprit may be oral cancer. Cancer in the mouth can appear as lumps, hard-edged cracks, or red, white, or speckled patches. While it’s usually highly treatable, if it’s not caught early it could be life threatening.
- Cavities — A cavity is a hole in a tooth that develops because of tooth decay. When a tooth decays, it leaves vulnerable the center 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 since the caveman days humans have developed smaller jaws. When wisdom teeth do not grow in properly because of this, they’re referred to as “impacted.” Based on research from the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, approximately 90 percent of people have at least one impacted wisdom tooth. Wisdom teeth can cause other teeth to shift position and allow food and bacteria to fester beneath teeth, causing infection, which can result in pain in the wisdom tooth and surrounding areas.
- Tooth extractions — If your dentist recently pulled one of your teeth, the surrounding teeth can hurt for one to several days after the procedure. This will generally go away on its own and can be managed with ibuprofen 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, chipped teeth, and abscessed teeth are also common conditions that cause tooth pain.
Tooth pain can also be caused by non-dental problems, such as heart disease, brushing too hard, or suffering an injury. While living a healthier life get rid of tooth pain, an appointment with a dentist is often required to address the underlying issues.
When to See a Dentist in St. Ann, MO for Tooth Pain Relief
There are many non-prescription drugs or mouthwash treatments or at-home remedies that can ease your toothaches and offer tooth pain relief. However, if tooth pain won’t go away and/or it’s debilitating you should always request a dental examination to make sure nothing else is wrong. If a tooth is cracked or loose, see a dentist promptly. If untreated, food and bacteria can hide in and around those teeth and cause serious dental problems.
You should immediately seek dental care in St. Ann, MO for tooth pain relief if:
- The tooth pain lasts longer than two days
- The tooth pain onsets without warning and is severe
- You have other symptoms, such as a fever, earache, or pain when moving your jaw
- You’ve experienced tooth sensitivity for a while and it’s getting worse
- You have pain when biting down
Tooth pain should be addressed promptly, as, if you do not seek treatment, the underlying issue can spread to the jaw, skull, or even your bloodstream. Often, the only cure is to make an appointment with a tooth pain relief expert in St. Ann, MO.
How a Dentist in St. Ann, MO Can Offer Tooth Pain Relief
Our teeth aren’t like muscles, ligaments, and elsewhere in our body that can heal on their own. Regrowth, reconstruction, and healing can only be accomplished in St. Ann, MO by a dentist. When you first see your dentist, they’ll likely start with questions about your tooth pain. When did the tooth pain start? How severe is the pain? Is it one tooth or does the pain radiate to other parts of your mouth? What makes it better or worse?
After getting a brief history, they’ll perform an examination of your mouth to find the root cause of the pain. Their recommendation for tooth pain relief will be based on what their examination shows. Cavities and other minor and common decay and be addressed with fillings or sealants. There are numerous of periodontal treatments available if the pain is the result of gum disease. 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 St. Ann, MO dentist may want to do a root canal for tooth pain relief.
Dental problems can only be diagnosed in St. Ann, MO by a licensed dentist. If you’ve tried everything else for tooth pain relief and your symptoms aren’t getting better, request an appointment with a dental office today.
St. Ann, MO Tooth Pain Relief | Plaza Dental Center
As always, prevention and care like healthy oral habits and regular cleanings and polishings is the best way to avoid toothaches altogether. But if prevention wasn’t effective, or you’re now regretting that you weren’t more active in your dental care, it’s not too late to seek treatment. Our St. Ann, MO dentists are particularly dedicated to helping patients who are apprehensive about going to the dentist, as we believe lasting tooth pain relief is something everyone in St. Ann, MO should have access to. Call Plaza Dental Center as soon as possible at 314-361-1818 or contact us online.