Maryland Heights, MO

Tooth Pain Maryland Heights, MO

Tooth Pain in Maryland Heights, MO. Tooth pain, or toothaches, can be either dull or sharp, but frequently make it painful to chew, sleep at night, or concentrate on basic tasks. If you’ve been suffering from continuous tooth pain it can be an indication of severe dental problems, and it’s best to visit your local Maryland Heights, MO dentist as soon as possible. Call Plaza Dental Center today at 314-361-1818 or make an appointment online.

Causes of Tooth Pain | Maryland Heights, MO Dental Office

Tooth pain comes about when the nerves in the roots of a tooth or around the tooth become aggravated. There are myriad ways that can happen. Some of the most frequent instances our Maryland Heights, MO dental office sees are:

• Gum Disease:

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

• Tooth Decay, such as cavities:

  Our tooth enamel is the tough outer layer of our teeth. When it is damaged, 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 severely as with tooth decay or gum disease. In many cases, people with sensitive teeth will only feel tooth pain with hot or cold drinks or certain food.

• Abscessed Teeth:

  While we typically think of teeth as rigid, the center of a tooth is actually made of soft tissue and blood vessels, which can become infected. An abscessed tooth happens 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. Beyond tooth pain, other common symptoms are red or inflamed gums, an accumulation of puss, a salty or disagreeable taste, swollen neck glands, or swelling face.

• Impacted Wisdom Teeth:

  If you still have your wisdom teeth and are experiencing pain in the back and bottom molar area, it’s probably time to get your wisdom teeth extracted. Failing to remove them can cause other teeth to shift position, cause jaw pain, and even result in bone loss.

• Oral Cancer:

  Oral cancer is a very serious dental issue, but the good news is that it’s 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 immense pain. Tobacco and alcohol consumption, along with extended sun exposure, are risk factors.

• Temporomandibular Joint Disorder:

  Also called TMJ, this refers to many different issues that affect the joint joining the jaw to the skull. While the issues do not directly lead to tooth pain, it can cause misaligned chewing, teeth grinding, and problems with the mastication muscles, which can all cause tooth pain.

• Teeth Grinding:

  Also knows as bruxism, is a typical cause of tooth pain. There can be numerous reasons for teeth grinding, such as:

  • Specific foods, such as caffeine, sodas, coffee, or chocolate
  • Alcohol and tobacco consumption
  • Chewing on pencils, or any object that is not food
  • Stress or anger
  • Some medications
  • Misaligned teeth

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

How is Tooth Pain Treated? | Maryland Heights, MO Dental Office

When you initially make an appointment with your Maryland Heights, MO dentist for your tooth pain, they will diagnose the underlying condition causing 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 on your teeth, they can weaken the enamel. Flouride reinforces the enamel and is effective at alleviating sensitive teeth, protecting against teeth grinding, and is recommended for people with frequent cavities. Your Maryland Heights, MO dentist can apply fluoride to your teeth as a gel, foam, or varnish. A fluoride treatment by a professional Maryland Heights, MO dentist is much more effective than fluoride toothpaste or mouthwash.

Oral Surgery

Technically 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 diseased teeth
• Treatment of serious gum disease

The Maryland Heights, MO dental team at Plaza Dental are experienced and distinguished oral surgeons that will help you feel at ease before, during, and after your surgery.

Root Canals

Root canals are typically necessary when the soft tissue and blood vessels inside the tooth become abscessed. Fortunately, root canals are not much more intricate than a common filling. Your Maryland Heights, MO dentist will make an opening at the top of the tooth, remove the infection, and fill the empty space with a material that sanitize the area. Not getting a root canal for an infected tooth can result in the infection to spread to your gums and other teeth, and may in the long run lead to you having the tooth extracted.

Cosmetic Dentistry

Cosmetic dentistry with your Maryland Heights, MO dentist doesn’t just make your smile look great, it can help relieve tooth pain. Dental bonding and dental crowns can help fix cover 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 | Maryland Heights, MO Dental Office

Like almost all dental problems, tooth pain prevention usually comes down to practicing proper oral hygiene. Your Maryland Heights, 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 promptly
• Using fluoride toothpaste and fluoride mouthwash

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

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

Tooth Pain in Maryland Heights, MO | Plaza Dental Center

Most of the time, we don’t think about our teeth when they’re healthy. If you’re experiencing ongoing tooth pain, or have a fever along with your tooth pain, it’s a good idea to reach out to your local Maryland Heights, MO dentist at Plaza Dental Center for an appointment immediately. In addition to oral health, we prioritize patient education and making our patients calm in the chair. If you’re suffering from tooth pain in Maryland Heights, MO, call Plaza Dental Center today at 314-361-1818 or contact us online.