St. Louis, MO

Tooth Pain St. Louis, MO

Tooth Pain in St. Louis, MO. Tooth pain, or toothaches, can be either dull or acute, but frequently make it hard to chew, sleep at night, or concentrate on basic tasks. If you’ve been suffering from ongoing tooth pain it can be a sign of serious dental problems, and it’s a good idea to see your local St. Louis, MO dentist right away. Call Plaza Dental Center today at 314-361-1818 or make an appointment online.

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

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

• Gum Disease:

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

• Tooth Decay, like cavities:

  Our tooth enamel is the hard 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 usually caused by injured enamel or receding gums, though not as severely as with tooth decay or gum disease. Frequently, people with sensitive teeth will only experience tooth pain with hot or cold drinks or specific food.

• Abscessed Teeth:

  While we conventionally think of teeth as hard, the insides of a tooth are 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. Along with tooth pain, other common symptoms are dark or swollen gums, a buildup of puss, a salty or displeasing taste, swollen neck glands, or swelling face.

• 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 likely a good idea to have 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 serious dental problem, 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 use, along with prolonged sun exposure, are risk factors.

• Temporomandibular Joint Disorder:

  Also referred to as TMJ, this encompasses many different problems that affect the joint affixing the jaw to the skull. While the issues 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:

  Technically knows as bruxism, is a typical cause of tooth pain. There can be many reasons why you grind your teeth, including:

  • Specific foods, such as caffeine, sodas, coffee, or chocolate
  • Alcohol and nicotine consumption
  • Chewing on pencils, or any object that is not food
  • Anxiety or frustration
  • 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? | St. Louis, MO Dental Office

When you initially make an appointment with your St. Louis, MO dentist for your tooth pain, they will determine the underlying condition causing your tooth pain and recommend the best method of treatment. Some of the common treatments for tooth pain are:

Fluoride Treatments

When plaque, bacteria, and sugars collect on your teeth, they can damage the enamel. Flouride protects the enamel and is effective at treating sensitive teeth, protecting against teeth grinding, and is recommended for people who have a lot of cavities. Your St. Louis, MO dentist can administer fluoride to your teeth as a gel, foam, or varnish. A fluoride treatment by a professional St. Louis, MO dentist is much more successful than fluoride toothpaste or mouthwash.

Oral Surgery

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

• Remove cysts, growths, or tumors that cause pain
• Treat TMJ
• Remove impacted wisdom teeth or infected teeth
• Treatment of periodontitis

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

Root Canals

Root canals are usually required when the pulp chamber gets abscessed. Fortunately, root canals are not much more complicated than a common filling. Your St. Louis, MO dentist will create an opening on top of the tooth, remove the infection, and fill the void with a material that sanitize the inside of the tooth. Not having a root canal for an infected tooth can lead to the infection to grow to your gums and other teeth, and might in the long run result in you having the tooth extracted.

Cosmetic Dentistry

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

Preventing Tooth Pain | St. Louis, MO Dental Office

Like nearly all dental issues, tooth pain prevention generally boils down to practicing proper oral hygiene. Your St. Louis, MO dentist a Plaza Dental Center recommends the following simple steps you can take to protect your oral health:

• Brushing and flossing
• Regular 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, 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, MO | Plaza Dental Center

Most of the time, we never think about our teeth when they’re healthy. If you’re suffering from ongoing tooth pain, or have a fever along with your tooth pain, it’s a good idea to get in touch with your local St. Louis, MO dentist at Plaza Dental Center for an appointment right away. In addition to oral health, we prioritize patient education and making our patients comfortable in the chair. If you’re experiencing tooth pain in St. Louis, MO, call Plaza Dental Center today at 314-361-1818 or contact us online.