St. Ann, MO

Tooth Pain St. Ann, MO

Tooth Pain in St. Ann, MO. Tooth pain, or toothaches, can be either throbbing or acute, but consistently make it difficult to chew, sleep at night, or concentrate on basic tasks. If you’ve been suffering from ongoing tooth pain it can be an indication of serious dental issues, and it’s a good idea to visit your local St. Ann, MO dentist as soon as possible. Call Plaza Dental Center today at 314-361-1818 or make an appointment online.

Causes of Tooth Pain | St. Ann, MO Dental Office

Tooth pain comes about when the nerves in the roots of a tooth or surrounding the tooth become aggravated. There are numerous ways that can happen. Some of the most frequent causes our St. Ann, MO dental office sees are:

• Gum Disease:

  While mild forms of gum disease, such as gingivitis, typically do not cause tooth pain, more significant types 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 firm outer layer of our teeth. When it is damaged, bacteria and other things can irritate the nerves on the inside of our teeth.

• Sensitive Teeth:

  Tooth sensitivity is generally caused by injured enamel or receding gums, though not as seriously as with tooth decay or gum disease. Frequently, St. Ann, MO residents with sensitive teeth will only experience 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 suffer from infections. An abscessed tooth occurs when there is an infection in what’s referred to as the “pulp chamber” inside the tooth, and the infection reaches the root. Along with tooth pain, other common symptoms are red or inflamed gums, a buildup of puss, a salty or unpleasant 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 a good idea to get your wisdom teeth extracted. Neglecting to remove them can cause other teeth to shift position, cause jaw pain, and even cause bone loss.

• Oral Cancer:

  Oral cancer is a very serious dental issue, but fortunately it is easy to treat. It can be 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:

  Commonly referred to as TMJ, this encompasses numerous disorders that impact the joint joining the jaw to the skull. While the issues 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:

  Also referred to as bruxism, is a common cause of tooth pain. There can be many reasons for teeth grinding, for instance:

  • Certain 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 commonly includes fluoride treatments to reinforce tooth enamel, fillings, or dental crowns.

How is Tooth Pain Treated? | St. Ann, MO Dental Office

When you initially see your St. Ann, MO dentist for your tooth pain, they will identify the underlying condition causing your tooth pain and advise the ideal method of treatment. Some of the common treatments for tooth pain are:

Fluoride Treatments

When plaque, bacteria, and sugars accumulate on your teeth, they can wear down the enamel. Flouride protects the enamel and is effective at helping sensitive teeth, helping with teeth grinding, and is advised for people with frequent cavities. Your St. Ann, MO dentist can administer fluoride to your teeth in the form of a gel, foam, or varnish. A professional fluoride treatment is much more successful than fluoride toothpaste or mouthwash.

Oral Surgery

Technically called maxillofacial surgery, is necessary in more serious 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 periodontitis

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

Root Canals

Root canals are usually needed when the soft tissue and blood vessels inside the tooth become infected. Fortunately, root canals are not much more complicated than a typical filling. Your St. Ann, MO dentist will make an opening on the crown of the tooth, remove the infection, and fill the empty space with a substance that disinfects the area. Not having a root canal for an abscessed tooth can result in the infection to move to your gums and other teeth, and may ultimately lead to you having the tooth extracted.

Cosmetic Dentistry

Cosmetic dentistry with your St. Ann, MO dentist doesn’t just make your smile look great, it can help alleviate tooth pain. Dental bonding and dental crowns can help repair cover damaged teeth that are causing you pain. If you’re undergoing tooth pain owing to misaligned teeth, Invisalign® can help straighten them out.

Preventing Tooth Pain | St. Ann, MO Dental Office

Like most dental issues, tooth pain prevention generally comes down to exercising proper oral hygiene. Your St. Ann, MO dentist a Plaza Dental Center recommends the following simple steps you can take 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 St. Ann, MO:

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

Tooth Pain in St. Ann, MO | Plaza Dental Center

Most of the time, we never 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 speak with your local St. Ann, MO dentist at Plaza Dental Center for an appointment right away. In addition to oral health, we strongly believe in patient education and making our patients at ease in the chair. If you’re experiencing tooth pain in St. Ann, MO, call Plaza Dental Center today at 314-361-1818 or contact us online.