Clayton, MO

Tooth Pain Clayton, MO

Tooth Pain in Clayton, MO. Tooth pain, or toothaches, can be either throbbing or sharp, but consistently make it difficult to eat, sleep well, or concentrate on basic tasks. If you’ve been dealing with ongoing tooth pain it can be a sign of severe dental problems, and it’s a good idea to visit your local Clayton, MO dentist as soon as possible. Call Plaza Dental Center today at 314-361-1818 or make an appointment online.

Causes of Tooth Pain | Clayton, MO Dental Office

Tooth pain comes about when the nerves in the roots of a tooth or surrounding the tooth become irritated. There are a variety of ways that can happen. Some of the most frequent instances our Clayton, MO dental office sees are:

• Gum Disease:

  While mild forms of gum disease, such as gingivitis, usually do not cause tooth pain, more serious types like periodontitis can lead to tooth pain when the structure and bones underneath your teeth in the mouth are weakened.

• Tooth Decay, like cavities:

  Our tooth enamel is the hard outer layer of our teeth. When it wears down, bacteria and other things can irritate the nerves on the inside of our teeth.

• Sensitive Teeth:

  Tooth sensitivity is normally caused by injured enamel or receding gums, though not as badly as with tooth decay or gum disease. In many cases, Clayton, MO residents with sensitive teeth will only experience tooth pain with hot or cold drinks or certain food.

• Abscessed Teeth:

  While we usually think of teeth as solid, the center of a tooth is in fact made of soft tissue and blood vessels, which can suffer from infections. An abscessed tooth happens when there is an infection in what’s called the “pulp chamber” on the interior of the tooth, and the infection reaches the root. Beyond tooth pain, symptoms can include red or inflamed gums, a buildup of puss, a salty or unpleasant taste, swollen neck glands, or swelling jaw.

• Impacted Wisdom Teeth:

  If you still have your wisdom teeth and are feeling pain in the back and bottom molar area, it’s probably a good idea to get your wisdom teeth extracted. Failing to extract them can cause other teeth to move, cause jaw pain, and even lead to bone loss.

• Oral Cancer:

  Oral cancer is an incredibly grave dental condition, but fortunately it is easy to treat. It can manifest itself as a growth or sore in the lips, gum, tongue, cheeks, or throat, and can cause substantial pain. Tobacco and alcohol consumption, along with prolonged sun exposure, are risk factors.

• Temporomandibular Joint Disorder:

  Also referred to as TMJ, this refers to a multitude of disorders that impact the joint connecting the jaw to the skull. While the disorders do not directly result in tooth pain, it can cause misaligned chewing, teeth grinding, and problems with the mastication muscles, which can all cause tooth pain.

• Teeth Grinding:

  Technically knows as bruxism, is a common cause of tooth pain. There can be a lot of reasons for teeth grinding, for instance:

  • Certain foods, such as caffeine, sodas, coffee, or chocolate
  • Alcohol and tobacco use
  • Chewing on pencils, or anything else that is not food
  • Stress or anger
  • Some medications
  • Misaligned teeth

  Treatment for teeth grinding commonly includes fluoride treatments to protect tooth enamel, fillings, or dental crowns.

How is Tooth Pain Treated? | Clayton, MO Dental Office

When you first see your Clayton, MO dentist for your tooth pain, they will identify the underlying condition causing your tooth pain and suggest the best method of treatment. Some of the typical treatments for tooth pain are:

Fluoride Treatments

When plaque, bacteria, and sugars accumulate in the mouth, they can wear down the enamel. Flouride strengthens the enamel and is effective at helping sensitive teeth, helping with teeth grinding, and is advised for people who get a lot of cavities. Your Clayton, MO dentist can apply fluoride to your teeth in the form of a gel, foam, or varnish. A professional fluoride treatment is much more effective than fluoride toothpaste or mouthwash.

Oral Surgery

Technically called maxillofacial surgery, is needed in more severe cases. Surgery can be used to:

• Remove cysts, growths, or tumors that cause pain
• Treat temporomandibular joint disorder
• Remove impacted wisdom teeth or diseased teeth
• Treatment of severe gum disease

The Clayton, MO dental team at Plaza Dental are experienced and distinguished maxillofacial surgeons that will help you feel relaxed before, during, and after your surgery.

Root Canals

Root canals are often required when the pulp chamber becomes infected. Fortunately, root canals are not much more complex than a common filling. Your Clayton, MO dentist will make an opening on the crown of the tooth, remove the infection, and fill the void with a substance that disinfects the area. Not having a root canal for an infected tooth can result in the infection to move to your gums and other teeth, and may ultimately cause you having the tooth extracted.

Cosmetic Dentistry

Cosmetic dentistry with your Clayton, MO dentist doesn’t just make your smile look great, it can help ease tooth pain. Dental bonding and dental crowns can help repair cover damaged teeth that are causing you pain. If you’re suffering from tooth pain because of misaligned teeth, Invisalign® can help straighten them out.

Preventing Tooth Pain | Clayton, MO Dental Office

Like almost all dental problems, tooth pain prevention typically comes down to practicing good oral hygiene. Your Clayton, MO dentist a Plaza Dental Center recommends the following simple things you can do to protect your oral health:

• Brushing and flossing
• Biannual dental examinations
• Cleanings and polishing
• Having cavities filled quickly
• Using fluoride toothpaste and fluoride mouthwash

Check out the links below to see some of the other services we offer in Clayton, MO:

• Dental Emergency
• Gum Contouring
• Broken Tooth Repair
• Invisalign®
• Tooth Pain Relief
• Periodontal Treatment
• Composite Fillings
• Gingivitis Treatment
• Dentist Near Me

Tooth Pain in Clayton, MO | Plaza Dental Center

A lot of times, we never think about our teeth when they’re healthy. If you’re suffering from continual tooth pain, or have tooth pain accompanied by a fever, it’s advisable to get in touch with your local Clayton, MO dentist at Plaza Dental Center for an appointment immediately. In addition to oral health, we strongly believe in patient education and making our patients calm in the chair. If you’re experiencing tooth pain in Clayton, MO, call Plaza Dental Center today at 314-361-1818 or contact us online.