St. John, MO

Tooth Pain St. John, MO

Tooth Pain in St. John, MO. Tooth pain, or toothaches, can be either throbbing or acute, but consistently make it painful to chew, sleep well, or concentrate on basic tasks. If you’ve been suffering from continuous tooth pain it can be an indication of serious dental problems, and it’s best to visit your local St. John, MO dentist as soon as you can. Call Plaza Dental Center today at 314-361-1818 or make an appointment online.

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

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

• Gum Disease:

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

• Tooth Decay, for example cavities:

  The enamel in our teeth is the firm outer layer of our teeth. When it is damaged, bacteria and other substances can aggravate the nerves on the inside of our teeth.

• Sensitive Teeth:

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

• Abscessed Teeth:

  While we usually think of teeth as firm, the insides of a tooth are actually made of soft tissue and blood vessels, which can become infected. An abscessed tooth arises when there is an infection in what’s referred to as the “pulp chamber” inside the tooth, and the infection gets to the root. In addition to tooth pain, symptoms can include red or swollen 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 feeling pain in the back and bottom molar area, it’s likely time to get your wisdom teeth extracted. Failing to extract them can cause other teeth to shift position, result in jaw pain, and even lead to bone loss.

• Oral Cancer:

  Oral cancer is an incredibly grave dental condition, but luckily it is easy to treat. It can show up as a growth or sore in the lips, gum, tongue, cheeks, or throat, and can cause immense pain. Tobacco and alcohol consumption, along with prolonged sun exposure, are risk factors.

• Temporomandibular Joint Disorder:

  Also called TMJ, this encompasses numerous issues that impact the joint attaching the jaw to the skull. While the issues do not directly result in tooth pain, it can lead to misaligned chewing, teeth grinding, and problems with the mastication muscles, which can all lead to tooth pain.

• Teeth Grinding:

  Technically knows as bruxism, is a frequent cause of tooth pain. There can be many 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 any object that is not food
  • Anxiety or frustration
  • 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? | St. John, MO Dental Office

When you first make an appointment with your St. John, MO dentist for your tooth pain, they will identify the underlying cause of your tooth pain and suggest the ideal treatment plan. Some of the common treatments for tooth pain are:

Fluoride Treatments

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

Oral Surgery

Technically referred to maxillofacial surgery, is necessary in more serious 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 periodontitis

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

Root Canals

Root canals are generally needed when the soft tissue and blood vessels inside the tooth become abscessed. Luckily, root canals are not much more complex than a typical filling. Your St. John, MO dentist will make an opening at the top of the tooth, remove the soft tissue, and fill the empty space with a material that disinfects the inside of the tooth. Not having a root canal for an abscessed tooth can result in the infection to spread to your gums and other teeth, and may eventually cause you having the tooth removed.

Cosmetic Dentistry

Cosmetic dentistry with your St. John, 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 experiencing tooth pain because of misaligned teeth, Invisalign® can help straighten them out.

Preventing Tooth Pain | St. John, MO Dental Office

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

• 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 St. John, 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. John, MO | Plaza Dental Center

A lot of times, we never think about our teeth when they’re healthy. If you’re suffering from ongoing tooth pain, or have tooth pain accompanied by a fever, it’s best to speak with your local St. John, 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 at ease in the chair. If you’re experiencing tooth pain in St. John, MO, call Plaza Dental Center today at 314-361-1818 or contact us online.