Maplewood, MO

Tooth Pain Maplewood, MO

Tooth Pain in Maplewood, MO. Tooth pain, or toothaches, can be either dull or acute, but can make it painful to eat, sleep at night, or concentrate on basic tasks. If you’ve been experiencing continuous tooth pain it can be a sign of serious dental problems, and it’s advisable to see your local Maplewood, MO dentist right away. Call Plaza Dental Center today at 314-361-1818 or make an appointment online.

Causes of Tooth Pain | Maplewood, MO Dental Office

Tooth pain happens when the nerves in the roots of a tooth or surrounding the tooth become irritated. There are many different ways that can happen. Some of the most frequent causes our Maplewood, MO dental office sees are:

• Gum Disease:

  While mild forms of gum disease, for instance gingivitis, often do not lead to tooth pain, more significant forms 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 substances can irritate the nerves on the inside of our teeth.

• Sensitive Teeth:

  Tooth sensitivity is typically caused by injured enamel or receding gums, though not as severely 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 normally think of teeth as solid, the insides of a tooth are 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. In addition to tooth pain, symptoms can include red or swollen gums, an accumulation of puss, a salty or disagreeable taste, swollen neck glands, or swelling jaw.

• Impacted Wisdom Teeth:

  If you have not gotten your wisdom teeth removed and are suffering from pain in the back and bottom molar area, it’s probably time to have your wisdom teeth extracted. Neglecting to remove them can cause other teeth to move, cause jaw pain, and even result in bone loss.

• Oral Cancer:

  Oral cancer is an incredibly grave dental problem, but luckily it is very treatable. It can manifest itself as a growth or sore in the lips, gum, tongue, cheeks, or throat, and can cause tremendous pain. Tobacco and alcohol consumption, along with extended sun exposure, are risk factors.

• Temporomandibular Joint Disorder:

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

• Teeth Grinding:

  Technically called bruxism, is a common cause of tooth pain. There can be numerous reasons why you grind your teeth, for instance:

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

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

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

When you initially make an appointment with your Maplewood, MO dentist for your tooth pain, they will discover the underlying cause of your tooth pain and advise the best treatment plan. Some of the typical 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 treating sensitive teeth, protecting against teeth grinding, and is recommended for people with frequent cavities. Your Maplewood, MO dentist can administer fluoride to your teeth as a gel, foam, or varnish. A professional fluoride treatment is much more successful than fluoride toothpaste or mouthwash.

Oral Surgery

Technically referred to maxillofacial surgery, is required 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 serious gum disease

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

Root Canals

Root canals are usually needed when the pulp chamber becomes infected. Fortunately, root canals are not much more complex than a common filling. Your Maplewood, MO dentist will create an opening on the crown of the tooth, remove the infection, and fill the void with a substance that sanitize the inside of the tooth. Not getting a root canal for an abscessed tooth can cause the infection to move to your gums and other teeth, and could ultimately lead to you having the tooth removed.

Cosmetic Dentistry

Cosmetic dentistry with your Maplewood, MO dentist doesn’t just enhance your smile, it can help ease tooth pain. Dental bonding and dental crowns can help fix cover damaged teeth that are causing you pain. If you’re undergoing tooth pain due to misaligned teeth, Invisalign® can help make them straight.

Preventing Tooth Pain | Maplewood, MO Dental Office

Like nearly all dental issues, tooth pain prevention generally boils down to practicing proper oral hygiene. Your Maplewood, MO dentist a Plaza Dental Center recommends the following simple steps you can take to protect your teeth and mouth:

• 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 Maplewood, MO:

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

Tooth Pain in Maplewood, MO | Plaza Dental Center

A lot of times, we don’t think about our teeth when they’re healthy. If you’re suffering from chronic tooth pain, or have a fever along with your tooth pain, it’s advisable to get in touch with your local Maplewood, MO dentist at Plaza Dental Center for an appointment as soon as possible. In addition to oral health, we prioritize patient education and making our patients comfortable in the chair. If you’re suffering from tooth pain in Maplewood, MO, call Plaza Dental Center today at 314-361-1818 or contact us online.