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What causes tooth pain & gum pain?
It's important to get a proper diagnosis from a dentist, whether you're experiencing mild or severe toothache pain. Maintaining a consistent oral hygiene routine can usually prevent toothaches and discomfort, but there are various factors that can contribute to tooth or gum pain. Some of these factors include:
Cavity/Tooth Decay
Even though cavities develop slowly, they can cause sudden pain. It's crucial to address this issue promptly to prevent an infection from taking hold.
Grinding, Trauma or Injury
If you grind your teeth while sleeping or sustain an injury while playing sports, it can cause damage or fractures to your teeth, resulting in extreme pain. It is crucial not to overlook this issue. Consulting your dentist is recommended, as they may suggest a filling, crown, or bonding treatment. Grinding may also lead to tooth sensitivity problems, and it's best to seek advice from your dentist on how to break this harmful habit.
Wisdom Teeth
When wisdom teeth become impacted, they often become quite painful due to the pressure they inflict on the surrounding teeth, or infection. Impacted wisdom teeth can also lead to secondary issues including tooth damage and crowding if there isn't enough space for them to erupt properly.
Abscessed Tooth
Bacterial infections have the potential to form pockets that contain pus. This can result in both discomfort and pain, and if left untreated, may progress to a more severe or life-threatening ailment.
Gum Disease
Gum disease (periodontal disease) can range from early stage (gingivitis) to moderate and severe. In the early stages, your dentist may treat your gingivitis with a procedure called scaling and root planing – the process of removing plaque buildup from the gum line.
For a more urgent case that's progressed to severe gum disease, you may need a root canal, antibiotics, and/or surgery.
Other Potential Causes
It's important to keep in mind that some individuals may experience temporary tooth sensitivity which may not necessarily indicate a severe problem. One way to alleviate the discomfort is by using toothpaste formulated for sensitive teeth.
Additionally, it's advisable to avoid consuming extremely hot or cold food and beverages until the sensitivity subsides. However, if the sensitivity persists for more than a couple of days, it could indicate a more serious issue such as gum recession, and you should see your dentist immediately.
There are also cases where the root cause of your tooth pain may not be within your mouth. Viral or sinus infections, vitamin deficiencies, headaches, or colds may produce symptoms similar to those of a toothache.
It's still pertinent to schedule an appointment with your dentist as neglecting or misdiagnosing the pain yourself could lead to serious problems. Dental pain, for the most part, doesn't go away on its own and should be assessed by your dentist.
What Helps Tooth Pain?
If you are wondering how to relieve tooth pain, the first and most obvious answer is to make an appointment with your dentist so that the issue can be diagnosed and treated.
If you're experiencing tooth pain, there are several home remedies that you can try to alleviate the discomfort. Applying an ice pack or taking an over-the-counter pain medication can help to reduce inflammation and pain. Additionally, a saltwater rinse may also provide relief and soothe the affected area.