St. Louis County, MO

Tooth Pain St. Louis County, MO

Tooth Pain in St. Louis County, MO. Tooth pain, or toothaches, can be either dull or acute, but consistently make it painful to chew, sleep well, or concentrate on basic tasks. If you’ve been experiencing continuous tooth pain it can be an indication of severe dental issues, and it’s a good idea to see your local St. Louis County, 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. Louis County, MO Dental Office

Tooth pain happens when the nerves in the roots of a tooth or around the tooth become irritated. There are a variety of ways that can happen. Some of the most frequent causes our St. Louis County, MO dental office sees are:

• Gum Disease:

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

• Tooth Decay, for example 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 damaged enamel or receding gums, though not as badly as with tooth decay or gum disease. Frequently, people with sensitive teeth will only feel tooth pain with hot or cold drinks or specific food.

• Abscessed Teeth:

  While we conventionally think of teeth as firm, the core of a tooth is actually made of soft tissue and blood vessels, which can suffer from infections. 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 typical symptoms are dark or inflamed gums, a buildup of puss, a salty or disagreeable taste, swollen neck glands, or swelling jaw.

• Impacted Wisdom Teeth:

  If you still have your wisdom teeth and are experiencing pain in the back and bottom molar area, it’s likely a good idea to get your wisdom teeth extracted. Failing to remove them can cause other teeth to move, 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 very treatable. It can be a growth or sore in the lips, gum, tongue, cheeks, or throat, and can cause tremendous pain. Tobacco and alcohol use, along with extended sun exposure, are risk factors.

• Temporomandibular Joint Disorder:

  Commonly referred to as TMJ, this encompasses a multitude of conditions that impact the joint connecting the jaw to the skull. While the disorders 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:

  Technically referred to as bruxism, is a common cause of tooth pain. There can be numerous reasons why you grind your teeth, for example:

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

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

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

When you first see your St. Louis County, MO dentist for your tooth pain, they will determine the underlying condition causing your tooth pain and suggest the best treatment plan. Some of the common treatments for tooth pain are:

Fluoride Treatments

When plaque, bacteria, and sugars collect in the mouth, they can wear down the enamel. Flouride protects the enamel and is effective at alleviating sensitive teeth, protecting against teeth grinding, and is recommended for people with frequent cavities. Your St. Louis County, MO dentist can apply fluoride to your teeth in the form of a gel, foam, or varnish. A professional fluoride treatment is much more effective than fluoride toothpaste or mouthwash.

Oral Surgery

Also referred to maxillofacial surgery, is required 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 periodontitis

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

Root Canals

Root canals are generally required when the pulp chamber gets abscessed. Luckily, root canals are not much more complicated than a standard filling. Your St. Louis County, MO dentist will create an opening on the crown of the tooth, remove the infection, and fill the empty space with a material that sanitize the inside of the tooth. Not having a root canal for an abscessed tooth can cause the infection to move to your gums and other teeth, and may in the long run cause you having the tooth extracted.

Cosmetic Dentistry

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

Preventing Tooth Pain | St. Louis County, MO Dental Office

Like the majority dental problems, tooth pain prevention typically comes down to observing proper oral hygiene. Your St. Louis County, 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 St. Louis County, 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. Louis County, MO | Plaza Dental Center

A lot of times, we never notice our teeth when they’re healthy. If you’re experiencing ongoing tooth pain, or have a fever along with your tooth pain, it’s advisable to speak with your local St. Louis County, 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 comfortable in the chair. If you’re experiencing tooth pain in St. Louis County, MO, call Plaza Dental Center today at 314-361-1818 or contact us online.