Hanley Hills, MO

Tooth Pain Hanley Hills, MO

Tooth Pain in Hanley Hills, MO. Tooth pain, or toothaches, can be either throbbing or acute, but always make it difficult to chew, sleep at night, or concentrate on basic tasks. If you’ve been experiencing ongoing tooth pain it can be an indication of severe dental issues, and it’s a good idea to see your local Hanley Hills, MO dentist right away. Call Plaza Dental Center today at 314-361-1818 or make an appointment online.

Causes of Tooth Pain | Hanley Hills, MO Dental Office

Tooth pain happens 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 common instances our Hanley Hills, MO dental office sees are:

• Gum Disease:

  While mild forms of gum disease, for example gingivitis, frequently do not cause tooth pain, more serious forms like periodontitis can lead to tooth pain when the underlying structure and bones in the mouth are weakened.

• Tooth Decay, like cavities:

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

• Sensitive Teeth:

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

• Abscessed Teeth:

  While we conventionally think of teeth as hard, the interior of a tooth is in fact made of soft tissue and blood vessels, which can suffer from infections. An abscessed tooth occurs when there is an infection in what’s referred to as the “pulp chamber” on the interior of the tooth, and the infection reaches the root. Along with tooth pain, other typical symptoms are red or swollen gums, a buildup of puss, a salty or unpleasant taste, swollen neck glands, or swelling face.

• Impacted Wisdom Teeth:

  If you have not gotten your wisdom teeth removed and are feeling pain in the back and bottom molar area, it’s probably time to get your wisdom teeth extracted. Not removing them can cause other teeth to shift position, lead to jaw pain, and even result in bone loss.

• Oral Cancer:

  Oral cancer is a very grave dental issue, but luckily it is easy to treat. It can manifest itself as a growth or sore inside the throat or mouth and can cause substantial pain. Tobacco and alcohol use, along with extended sun exposure, are risk factors.

• Temporomandibular Joint Disorder:

  Commonly referred to as TMJ, this refers to many different conditions that affect the joint connecting the jaw to the skull. While the problems do not directly lead to tooth pain, it can result in misaligned chewing, teeth grinding, and problems with the mastication muscles, which can all result in tooth pain.

• Teeth Grinding:

  Also referred to as bruxism, is a common cause of tooth pain. There can be a lot of reasons why you grind your teeth, such as:

  • Certain foods, such as caffeine, sodas, coffee, or chocolate
  • Alcohol and nicotine use
  • Chewing on pencils, or any object that is not food
  • Stress or frustration
  • Certain medications
  • Misaligned teeth

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

How is Tooth Pain Treated? | Hanley Hills, MO Dental Office

When you first make an appointment with your Hanley Hills, MO dentist for your tooth pain, they will find the underlying condition causing your tooth pain and come up with the best method of treatment. Some of the common treatments for tooth pain are:

Fluoride Treatments

When plaque, bacteria, and sugars pile up in the mouth, they can weaken the enamel. Flouride reinforces the enamel and is effective at alleviating sensitive teeth, helping with teeth grinding, and is advised for people with frequent cavities. Your Hanley Hills, MO dentist can apply fluoride to your teeth in the form of a gel, foam, or varnish. A fluoride treatment by a professional Hanley Hills, MO dentist is much more successful than fluoride toothpaste or mouthwash.

Oral Surgery

Also referred to maxillofacial surgery, is needed in more significant cases. Surgery can be used to:

• Remove cysts, growths, or tumors that cause pain
• Treat TMJ
• Remove impacted wisdom teeth or infected teeth
• Treatment of severe gum disease

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

Root Canals

Root canals are typically required when the soft tissue and blood vessels inside the tooth become abscessed. Fortunately, root canals are not much more complicated than a common filling. Your Hanley Hills, MO dentist will make an opening on the crown of the tooth, remove the infection, and fill the empty space with a material that disinfects the area. Not having a root canal for an abscessed tooth can lead to the infection to spread to your gums and other teeth, and could ultimately result in you having the tooth removed.

Cosmetic Dentistry

Cosmetic dentistry with your Hanley Hills, MO dentist doesn’t just make your smile look great, it can help relieve tooth pain. Dental bonding and dental crowns can help fix protect damaged teeth that are causing you pain. If you’re undergoing tooth pain because of misaligned teeth, Invisalign® can help make them straight.

Preventing Tooth Pain | Hanley Hills, MO Dental Office

Like the majority dental problems, tooth pain prevention usually boils down to practicing proper oral hygiene. Your Hanley Hills, MO dentist a Plaza Dental Center recommends the following simple steps you can take to protect your teeth and mouth:

• Brushing and flossing
• Twice yearly dental examinations
• Cleanings and polishing
• Having cavities filled promptly
• Using fluoride toothpaste and fluoride mouthwash

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

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

Tooth Pain in Hanley Hills, MO | Plaza Dental Center

A lot of times, we don’t notice our teeth when they’re healthy. If you’re suffering from chronic tooth pain, or have tooth pain accompanied by a fever, it’s advisable to speak with your local Hanley Hills, MO dentist at Plaza Dental Center for an appointment immediately. In addition to oral health, we prioritize patient education and making our patients relaxed in the chair. If you’re experiencing tooth pain in Hanley Hills, MO, call Plaza Dental Center today at 314-361-1818 or contact us online.