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Olivette, MO

Tooth Pain Olivette, MO

Tooth Pain in Olivette, MO. Tooth pain, or toothaches, can be either dull or sharp, but frequently make it difficult to eat, sleep at night, or concentrate on work tasks. If you’ve been experiencing continuous tooth pain it can be a sign of serious dental issues, and it’s best to see your local Olivette, MO dentist as soon as possible. Call Plaza Dental Center today at 314-361-1818 or make an appointment online.

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Causes of Tooth Pain | Olivette, MO Dental Office

Tooth pain occurs 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 Olivette, MO dental office sees are:

  • Gum Disease:

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

  • Tooth Decay, like cavities:

    The enamel in our teeth is the solid 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 typically caused by injured enamel or receding gums, though not as severely as with tooth decay or gum disease. In many cases, Olivette, MO residents with sensitive teeth will only feel tooth pain with hot or cold drinks or specific food.

  • Abscessed Teeth:

    While we usually think of teeth as solid, the interior of a tooth is actually made of soft tissue and blood vessels, which can become infected. 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 spreads to the root. Beyond tooth pain, other typical symptoms are dark or swollen gums, an accumulation of puss, a salty or disagreeable 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 advisable to have your wisdom teeth extracted. Failing to extract them can cause other teeth to move, cause jaw pain, and even cause bone loss.

  • Oral Cancer:

    Oral cancer is an incredibly severe dental issue, but fortunately it is very treatable. It can reveal itself as a growth or sore inside the throat or mouth and can cause substantial pain. Tobacco and alcohol consumption, along with prolonged sun exposure, are risk factors.

  • Temporomandibular Joint Disorder:

    Commonly called TMJ, this refers to numerous issues that impact the joint attaching 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 result in tooth pain.

  • Teeth Grinding:

    Also knows as bruxism, is a frequent cause of tooth pain. There can be a lot of reasons why you grind your teeth, including:

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

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

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

When you initially see your Olivette, MO dentist for your tooth pain, they will discover the underlying condition causing your tooth pain and advise the best method of treatment. Some of the typical treatments for tooth pain are:

Fluoride Treatments

When plaque, bacteria, and sugars pile up on your teeth, they can wear down the enamel. Flouride reinforces the enamel and is effective at alleviating sensitive teeth, helping with teeth grinding, and is recommended for people with frequent cavities. Your Olivette, MO dentist can apply fluoride to your teeth as a gel, foam, or varnish. A fluoride treatment by a professional Olivette, MO dentist is much more effective than fluoride toothpaste or mouthwash.

Oral Surgery

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

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

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

Root Canals

Root canals are usually necessary when the pulp chamber gets infected. Luckily, root canals are not much more complicated than a standard filling. Your Olivette, MO dentist will create an opening at the top of the tooth, remove the soft tissue, and fill the void with a substance that disinfects the area. Not getting a root canal for an abscessed tooth can result in the infection to grow to your gums and other teeth, and may ultimately cause you having the tooth extracted.

Cosmetic Dentistry

Cosmetic dentistry with your Olivette, 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 undergoing tooth pain due to misaligned teeth, Invisalign® can help make them straight.

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Preventing Tooth Pain | Olivette, MO Dental Office

Like the majority dental issues, tooth pain prevention usually comes down to exercising good oral hygiene. Your Olivette, MO dentist a Plaza Dental Center recommends the following simple things you can do to protect your oral health:

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

Tooth Pain in Olivette, MO | Plaza Dental Center

Most of the time, we never think about our teeth when they’re healthy. If you’re experiencing continual tooth pain, or have a fever along with your tooth pain, it’s advisable to reach out to your local Olivette, MO dentist at Plaza Dental Center for an appointment as soon as possible. In addition to oral health, we strongly believe in patient education and making our patients comfortable in the chair. If you’re experiencing tooth pain in Olivette, MO, call Plaza Dental Center today at 314-361-1818 or contact us online.