Typical Causes And The Most Effective Treatments For Sore Teeth And Gums
THERE ARE MANY CAUSES BEHIND TOOTH PAIN
Hardly any experiences can be as uncomfortable as suffering from tooth pain. That misery can be multiplied when you don’t realize what's causing the tooth pain. No two toothaches are the same, especially because they can come from multiple different causes. The location of your pain and the degree of your distress can help your dentist in Galveston, TX to find the underlying cause of your tooth pain, which will help him or her to find the optimal way to treat it so you can bring back your brightest smile. The highly skilled dental practitioners at MINT dentistry in Galveston deal with tooth pain on a daily basis. We perform quick, innovative remedies to ease your symptoms and boost your oral health. We have put together this list of everyday triggers of tooth pain and how it should be treated:
- CAVITIES
Among the most typical triggers of a toothache is a cavity. If not treated properly, a cavity in the outer enamel of your tooth will creep into the tender inner pulp. When air and other types of irritants reach the nerves within the tooth, you might begin to feel pain and sensitivity. Depending upon the extent of decay involved, you may require a tooth-colored filling or root canal to clean out any compromised tissue and salvage the tooth. - ILL-FITTING RESTORATIONS
Ill-fitting or broken dental restorations can lead to relatively intense oral discomfort. Patients who have a crown, bridge, or dentures should be visiting their dentist in Galveston, TX two or more times a year to have the wear and fit of the dental restoration monitored. Patients who are noticing pain in or near the restoration need to set up an appointment with their dentist. An infection or other problem could have developed around the restoration that will have to be managed to restore oral health. - TEMPERATURE SENSITIVITY
Getting a piercing pain while eating or drinking something that is hot or too cold is called tooth sensitivity. Though you may have slight tooth sensitivity every now and then, if it is a consistent difficulty or is creating severe tooth pain, it can be an indication of a significant problem. Generally, tooth sensitivity is caused by a tooth infection, an abscess, or gum disease. Once your dentist determines the cause of your tooth sensitivity, they can go over treatment recommendations. In the case of mild or sporadic tooth sensitivity, you may want to use a toothpaste specifically formulated for sensitive teeth. - CRACKED TEETH
Chipping a tooth isn't uncommon. A tooth may be chipped or cracked playing a sport, chewing something hard (like peanut brittle), during an accident, and even by tooth grinding. If extreme pain is noticeable, that is a sure sign that a crack has crept its way down to the tooth’s center, where the nerves live. Sometimes, however, the pain can be delayed, simply to surface long after the incident occurred, once it has become more expansive. That is why it is crucial to have tooth cracks and fractures treated by your dental practitioner in Galveston, TX right away. - BRUSHING AND FLOSSING TOO HARD
Strangely, the majority of men and women push too hard when brushing and flossing their pearly whites. This extra pressure can irritate the gums and make them bleed very easily. Over time, the gums may recede, which also produces pain and makes your teeth less securely anchored. At MINT dentistry in Galveston, the dental staff will demonstrate proper brushing pressure using a soft-bristled toothbrush to reduce your risk of sore gums and teeth. - CROOKED OR IMPACTED TEETH
Aches and discomfort in the teeth may happen if teeth are misaligned, which can make them squeeze against one another. Teeth that are impacted could also lead to toothaches. To eliminate this pain, your dental practitioner in Galveston, TX may recommend an orthodontic treatment to enhance the alignment of your teeth or the removal of an impacted tooth. Ideally, you're seeing your dentist no less than two times per year for professional cleanings and oral health assessments to allow them to catch problems like an impacted tooth or problematic misalignment early, before you experience a lot of discomfort. - DENTAL ABSCESSES
Beyond impacting the interior of the tooth, untreated infection in your tooth may also reach the neighboring gum tissue. Known as an abscess, this might result in a pulsating pain within the tooth. The generalized nature of the pain may make it difficult to deduce which tooth is the cause. If you suspect you may be developing an abscessed tooth, it is important that you get help from a dentist in Galveston, TX right away. Putting off treatment may result in the loss of the tooth and even areas of your gums and jaw. - ORTHODONTIC APPLIANCES
Soreness in the mouth and toothaches are commonly triggered by orthodontic appliances, including braces and retainers, which promote tooth alignment. The discomfort is generally most pronounced right after regular adjustments to the archwire or when you move to a fresh set of aligners. The pain usually subsides in a couple of days. Over-the-counter pain relievers may help as well if needed. If your pain doesn't go away or grows extremely uncomfortable, get in touch with your orthodontist or dentist to talk about whether it is possible to modify the alignment appliance. - GRINDING YOUR TEETH
Bruxism, more popularly called teeth grinding, can create soreness in your jaws, teeth, and even neck muscles, as well as in other nearby muscles. Individuals in Galveston, TX who have bruxism usually experience it while they are asleep or under stress. Tooth grinding is done with the jaws firmly pressed together, so the upper and bottom teeth are clenched against each other, which can result in pain, chips and cracks, tooth erosion, and head pain. Using a tailor-made night guard to bed is one of the most common strategies to decrease the effects of bruxism on the teeth and jaw. - PERIODONTAL DISEASE
A dull ache in your jaws along with gums that bleed easily are indicators of gum (periodontal) disease. Once you start to develop tooth a toothache, you are probably in the most serious stage of gum disease, referred to as periodontitis. To rid the tooth of infection, gum surgery is normally done to unseal and scrape out the gum pockets. A cycle of antibiotics is typically prescribed to address any lingering bacteria.
DON'T DISMISS TOOTH PAIN
Besides being seriously uncomfortable, toothaches are also inconvenient. However, delaying treatment is typically not the best idea, as it can result in much larger, more significant dental issues in the future. At the initial indication of a toothache, we urge you to get in touch with MINT dentistry in Galveston and schedule an appointment at our practice. Our skilled dental professionals are devoted to assisting patients in Galveston, TX maintain their healthiest, most attractive smiles.