Sunset Hills, MO

Tooth Pain Sunset Hills, MO

Tooth Pain in Sunset Hills, MO. Tooth pain, or toothaches, can be either dull or acute, but frequently make it difficult to eat, sleep at night, or concentrate on daily tasks. If you’ve been dealing with ongoing tooth pain it can be an indication of severe dental problems, and it’s best to see your local Sunset Hills, MO dentist as soon as possible. Call Plaza Dental Center today at 314-361-1818 or make an appointment online.

Causes of Tooth Pain | Sunset Hills, 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 instances our Sunset Hills, MO dental office sees are:

• Gum Disease:

  While mild forms of gum disease, like gingivitis, often 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, such as cavities:

  Our tooth enamel is the hard outer layer of our teeth. When it wears down, bacteria and other things can irritate the nerves on the inside of our teeth.

• Sensitive Teeth:

  Tooth sensitivity is normally caused by injured enamel or receding gums, though not as seriously as with tooth decay or gum disease. Frequently, Sunset Hills, MO residents with sensitive teeth will only feel tooth pain with hot or cold drinks or certain food.

• Abscessed Teeth:

  While we normally think of teeth as firm, the insides of a tooth are 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” on the interior of the tooth, and the infection gets to the root. Along with tooth pain, other typical symptoms are red or swollen gums, an accumulation of puss, a salty or disagreeable taste, swollen neck glands, or swelling jaw.

• Impacted Wisdom Teeth:

  If you have not gotten your wisdom teeth removed and are experiencing pain in the back and bottom molar area, it’s probably advisable to get your wisdom teeth extracted. Failing to extract them can cause other teeth to move, lead to jaw pain, and even lead to bone loss.

• Oral Cancer:

  Oral cancer is a very severe dental condition, but fortunately it is highly treatable. It can show up 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:

  Also called TMJ, this encompasses many different problems that impact the joint connecting 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 lead to tooth pain.

• Teeth Grinding:

  Technically called bruxism, is a frequent cause of tooth pain. There can be numerous reasons why you grind your teeth, including:

  • Specific foods, such as caffeine, sodas, coffee, or chocolate
  • Alcohol and tobacco consumption
  • Chewing on pencils, or any object that is not food
  • Anxiety or anger
  • Some medications
  • Misaligned teeth

  Treatment for teeth grinding can include fluoride treatments to protect tooth enamel, fillings, or dental crowns.

How is Tooth Pain Treated? | Sunset Hills, MO Dental Office

When you first see your Sunset Hills, MO dentist for your tooth pain, they will find the underlying cause of your tooth pain and come up with the ideal treatment plan. Some of the typical treatments for tooth pain are:

Fluoride Treatments

When plaque, bacteria, and sugars collect on your teeth, they can weaken the enamel. Flouride protects the enamel and is effective at helping sensitive teeth, protecting against teeth grinding, and is recommended for people with frequent cavities. Your Sunset Hills, MO dentist can apply 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

Also referred to maxillofacial surgery, is needed in more severe cases. Surgery can be used to:

• Remove cysts, growths, or tumors that cause pain
• Treat temporomandibular joint disorder
• Remove impacted wisdom teeth or diseased teeth
• Treatment of periodontitis

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

Root Canals

Root canals are typically required when the soft tissue and blood vessels inside the tooth become infected. Luckily, root canals are not much more intricate than a common filling. Your Sunset Hills, MO dentist will make an opening at the top of the tooth, remove the infection, and fill the empty space with a material that sanitize the area. Not having a root canal for an abscessed tooth can result in the infection to grow to your gums and other teeth, and may ultimately lead to you having the tooth removed.

Cosmetic Dentistry

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

Preventing Tooth Pain | Sunset Hills, MO Dental Office

Like the majority dental problems, tooth pain prevention usually comes down to exercising good oral hygiene. Your Sunset Hills, 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 Sunset Hills, MO:

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

Tooth Pain in Sunset Hills, MO | Plaza Dental Center

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