Tooth Pain Relief St. Louis County, MO
Tooth pain relief in St. Louis County, MO. Tooth pain is a common symptom for a variety of dental problems. It can be dull and annoying, or severely painful and debilitating. If you’re experiencing consistent toothaches, or suddenly feel severe tooth pain right away, reach out to a professional St. Louis County, MO dental office as soon as possible. Even if you think you can manage the pain, tooth pain can be an indicator of other dental problems that will worsen if not treated promptly. If you’re in need of tooth pain relief in St. Louis County, MO, reach out to Plaza Dental Center now at 314-361-1818 or make an appointment online.
Top 9 Conditions That Cause Tooth Pain | St. Louis County, MO Dental Center
Tooth pain can be caused by countless dental problems, from mild to debilitating. Below are the top 9 most common conditions a dentist in St. Louis County, MO can offer tooth pain relief for:
- Teeth grinding — Clinically referred to as bruxism, teeth grinding can be the result of frustration, as a side effect of some medicines, alcohol, or merely unknowingly when they sleep. Teeth grinding can strip teeth of their protective layer, or loosen them from the gums, both of which are a common cause of tooth pain or tooth sensitivity.
- Temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMJ) — TMJ refers to many different dental problems affecting your ability to control your temporomandibular joint, which connects your jawbone and skull. When your ability to control your jaw is limited, it can lead to a variety of symptoms including migraines, swelling on the side of the face, clicking, difficulty lowering your jaw, and pain when making facial expressions.
- Gum disease — Gum diseases such as gingivitis or periodontitis occur when tartar builds up where the gums meet the teeth, which affects the gums. If you don’t seek treatment for gum disease, the gums start to recede, which eliminates protective layer over your teeth and causes tooth pain. Gum disease can easily be prevented with healthy oral 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, it’s possible that you are suffering from oral cancer. Cancer in the mouth can appear as thickening, ulcers, or discoloration. While it’s usually highly treatable, if you don’t get treatment it could be life threatening.
- Cavities — A cavity is a hole in a tooth that is caused by tooth decay. When a tooth decays, it exposes the highly-sensitive middle of the tooth, causing tooth pain.
- Impacted wisdom teeth — Our mouths are designed 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 Based on research from the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, roughly 90 percent of people have at least one wisdom tooth that doesn’t grow in right. Wisdom teeth can push other teeth out of position position and can lead to infection and decay, which causes pain in the teeth and jaw.
- Tooth extractions — If you had to have a tooth pulled, the teeth around the pulled tooth can hurt for a few days afterwards. This will generally go away on its own and can be managed with acetaminophen or other easily available medicine.
- Nerve damage — A rare, but chronic condition called trigeminal neuralgia happens when the 5th cranial nerve is irritated. 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.
There are other causes of tooth pain that aren’t necessarily dental problems, such as heart disease, brushing too hard, or you suffered a blow to your mouth. While living a healthier life prevent tooth pain, you’ll often need to see a dentist to address the underlying issues.
When to See a Dentist in St. Louis County, MO for Tooth Pain Relief
There are various non-prescription drugs or mouthwash treatments or things you can do at home that can ease your toothaches and provide tooth pain relief. However, if tooth pain won’t go away and/or it’s severe it’s always best to schedule a dental examination to check if there are any serious underlying conditions. 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 recommended to get dental care right away in St. Louis County, MO for tooth pain relief if:
- The tooth pain goes on for more than two days
- The tooth pain onsets suddenly and is unbearable
- Your tooth pain is accompanied by other symptoms, such as a fever, pain elsewhere in your face, or pain when moving your jaw
- You’ve suffered from tooth sensitivity for a while and it’s developing into tooth pain
- You have pain when biting down
Tooth pain is not something that should be ignored, as, if untreated, the underlying issue 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 St. Louis County, MO.
How a Dentist in St. Louis County, MO Can Offer Tooth Pain Relief
While muscles, ligaments, and elsewhere in your body can heal themselves naturally, our teeth cannot. If there is damage to a tooth, it can only be treated in St. Louis County, MO by a dentist. When you first see your dentist, they’ll likely start with a series of questions. When did the tooth pain start? What is your pain level? Is it one tooth or does the pain radiate to other parts of your mouth? What makes it better or worse?
Next, 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 diagnosis is. Cavities and other decay and be fixed with fillings or sealants. There are numerous of periodontal treatments they may recommend if the pain is the result of gingivitis or periodontitis. They may recommend dental bonds, crowns, or implants if teeth are chipped, cracked, or broken. If the pain is the fault of nerve damage, your St. Louis County, MO dentist may recommend a root canal for tooth pain relief.
Dental problems can only be diagnosed in St. Louis County, MO by a professional dentist. If nothing seems to be working for tooth pain relief, request an appointment with a dental office today.
St. Louis County, MO Tooth Pain Relief | Plaza Dental Center
It’s important to remember that prevention and care like proper dental habits and biannual dental visits is key to preventing tooth pain 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 St. Louis County, MO dentists are especially dedicated to helping patients who are apprehensive about going to the dentist, as we believe lasting tooth pain relief should be available to everyone in St. Louis County, MO. Call Plaza Dental Center as soon as possible at 314-361-1818 or schedule an appointment online.