University City, MO

Tooth Pain University City, MO

Tooth Pain in University City, MO. Tooth pain, or toothaches, can be either throbbing or sharp, but can make it hard to eat, sleep at night, or concentrate on work tasks. If you’ve been experiencing continuous tooth pain it can be a sign of serious dental problems, and it’s a good idea to see your local University City, MO dentist right away. Call Plaza Dental Center today at 314-361-1818 or make an appointment online.

Causes of Tooth Pain | University City, MO Dental Office

Tooth pain happens when the nerves in the roots of a tooth or bordering the tooth become aggravated. There are numerous ways that can happen. Some of the most common causes our University City, MO dental office sees are:

• Gum Disease:

  While mild forms of gum disease, like gingivitis, often do not lead to tooth pain, more serious forms 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:

  The enamel in our teeth is the hard outer layer of our teeth. When it weakens, bacteria and other things can aggravate the nerves on the inside of our teeth.

• Sensitive Teeth:

  Tooth sensitivity is usually caused by damaged enamel or receding gums, though not as severely 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 usually think of teeth as hard, the insides of a tooth are actually made of soft tissue and blood vessels, which can suffer from infections. An abscessed tooth arises when there is an infection in what’s called the “pulp chamber” on the interior of the tooth, and the infection gets to the root. Along with tooth pain, other common symptoms are dark or inflamed gums, an accumulation of puss, a salty or displeasing 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 likely time to get your wisdom teeth extracted. Not extracting them can cause other teeth to shift position, lead to jaw pain, and even cause bone loss.

• Oral Cancer:

  Oral cancer is an incredibly severe dental issue, but the good news is that it’s it is easy to treat. It can manifest itself as a growth or sore inside the throat or mouth 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 a number of conditions that impact the joint connecting the jaw to the skull. While the disorders do not directly lead to tooth pain, it can lead to misaligned chewing, teeth grinding, and problems with the mastication muscles, which can all result in tooth pain.

• Teeth Grinding:

  Technically referred to as bruxism, is a common 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 use
  • Chewing on pencils, or anything else that is not food
  • Anxiety or anger
  • Certain medications
  • Misaligned teeth

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

How is Tooth Pain Treated? | University City, MO Dental Office

When you initially see your University City, MO dentist for your tooth pain, they will determine the underlying condition causing your tooth pain and suggest the best method of treatment. 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 strengthens the enamel and is effective at helping sensitive teeth, protecting against teeth grinding, and is advised for people who get a lot of cavities. Your University City, MO dentist can apply fluoride to your teeth in the form of a gel, foam, or varnish. A fluoride treatment by a professional University City, MO dentist is much more successful 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 infected teeth
• Treatment of periodontitis

The University City, 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 usually required when the soft tissue and blood vessels inside the tooth become abscessed. Fortunately, root canals are not much more complex than a standard filling. Your University City, MO dentist will make an opening on the crown of the tooth, remove the soft tissue, and fill the void with a substance that disinfects the inside of the tooth. Not getting a root canal for an infected tooth can cause the infection to move to your gums and other teeth, and could eventually cause you having the tooth removed.

Cosmetic Dentistry

Cosmetic dentistry with your University City, MO dentist doesn’t just improve your smile, it can help ease tooth pain. Dental bonding and dental crowns can help repair cover damaged teeth that are causing you pain. If you’re suffering from tooth pain due to misaligned teeth, Invisalign® can help straighten them out.

Preventing Tooth Pain | University City, MO Dental Office

Like almost all dental problems, tooth pain prevention generally boils down to observing good oral hygiene. Your University City, MO dentist a Plaza Dental Center recommends the following simple steps you can take to protect your teeth and mouth:

• Brushing and flossing
• Regular dental examinations
• Cleanings and polishing
• Having cavities filled quickly
• Using fluoride toothpaste and fluoride mouthwash

Check out the links below to see some of the other services we offer in University City, MO:

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

Tooth Pain in University City, MO | Plaza Dental Center

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