Tooth Pain Relief St. Louis, MO
Tooth pain relief in St. Louis, MO. A toothaches can be the result of numerous different dental problems, 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. Louis, MO dentist 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 looking for tooth pain relief in St. Louis, MO, reach out to Plaza Dental Center now at 314-361-1818 or schedule an appointment online.
Top 9 Common Causes of Tooth Pain | St. Louis, MO Dental Center
Tooth pain can be caused by a variety of dental problems, some more serious than others. The following are the most common 9 reasons people seek tooth pain relief for in St. Louis, MO:
- Teeth grinding — Technically known as bruxism, some people grind their teeth because of anger, as a side effect of some medicines, caffeine, or just unknowingly when they sleep. Teeth grinding can wear teeth down, 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 headaches, swelling on the side of the face, clicking, difficulty opening the mouth, and pain when chewing.
- Gum disease — Conditions 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 healthy oral hygiene like brushing and flossing and regular cleanings and polishing.
- Oral cancer — If tooth pain just won’t go away, it’s possible that you are suffering from oral cancer. It can reveal itself as lumps, cold sores, or discoloration. While most cases can be cured with prompt and professional care, if it’s not caught early it could be life threatening.
- Cavities — A cavity is a hole in a tooth that is the result of tooth decay. When the enamel is damaged, it exposes the middle of the tooth, which is referred to as pulp. The pulp is made up of incredibly 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. 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, approximately 90 percent of adults have at least one wisdom tooth that doesn’t grow in right. 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 may be sore for a few days afterwards. This will generally go away on its own and can be alleviated 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 cause tooth pain when certain daily activities are performed.
- Damaged teeth — When teeth are broken or cracked it can also lead to toothaches.
Tooth pain can also be caused by non-dental problems, such as eating a diet that’s too acidic, a sinus infection, or suffering an injury. While there are some lifestyle updates you can make to prevent tooth pain, an appointment with a dentist is often required to fix the root of the problem.
When to See a Dentist in St. Louis, MO for Tooth Pain Relief
There are various non-prescription drugs or mouthwash treatments or things you can do at home that can alleviate toothaches and offer tooth pain relief. However, if tooth pain won’t go away and/or it’s significant it’s a good idea to schedule a dental examination to check if there are any serious underlying conditions. If you break a tooth or one becomes loose, see a dentist ASAP. If untreated, food and bacteria can hide in and around those teeth and cause issues for your gums, bone, and the nerves in your mouth.
It’s recommended to get dental care right away in St. Louis, 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 moving your jaw
- You’ve experienced chronic tooth sensitivity and it’s developing into tooth pain
- You have pain when biting down
Tooth pain should be addressed promptly, as, if you do not seek treatment, the root issue can spread to the jaw, skull, or even your bloodstream. Often, the best thing to do is to seek professional tooth pain relief from an experienced St. Louis, MO dentist.
How a Dentist in St. Louis, MO Can Offer Tooth Pain Relief
Our teeth aren’t like other parts of our body that can heal naturally. Regrowth, reconstruction, and healing can only be accomplished in St. Louis, MO by a dentist. Most dental examinations begin with a series of questions. When did the tooth pain start? What is your pain level? Where exactly is it? Does anything help it or make it worse?
After getting a brief history, they’ll perform an examination of your mouth to see if anything else is going on. Their recommendation for tooth pain relief will depend on what the root cause 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 caused by gum disease. They may want to implant dental bonds, crowns, or implants for teeth that are damaged beyond repair. If the pain is the fault of nerve damage, your St. Louis, MO dentist may perform a root canal for tooth pain relief.
Dental problems can only be diagnosed in St. Louis, MO by a licensed dentist. If you’ve tried everything else for tooth pain relief and your symptoms aren’t improving, request an appointment with a dentist today.
St. Louis, MO Tooth Pain Relief | Plaza Dental Center
It’s important to remember that prevention and care such as proper dental hygiene and regular cleanings and polishings 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, you can still find tooth pain relief. Our St. Louis, 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 St. Louis, MO. Reach out to Plaza Dental Center as soon as possible at 314-361-1818 or contact us online.