Your Winnipeg Invisalign® Provider
Are you suffering from tooth or gum pain? If so, call your dentist as soon as possible to make an appointment. Here, our Winnipeg dentists share some possible causes of tooth pain, and what you should do until your dentist appointment.
The Causes of Tooth & Gum Pain
It doesn't matter if your toothache is minor or severe, we still highly recommend having a dentist diagnose the underlying cause of your pain as quickly as possible. Usually, a proper oral hygiene routine can prevent toothaches or discomfort. But, there are many factors that could cause tooth or gum pain, such as the following:
Cavity/Tooth Decay
Though cavities often happen gradually, pain can occur suddenly. This should be taken care of as soon as possible to prevent an infection from taking hold.
Grinding, Trauma, or Injury
Whether you grind your teeth in your sleep and gradually wear them down, or you sustain an injury in some more immediate way, for instance, while playing sports, a fractured or damaged tooth can be very painful – don’t ignore it. Your dentist may recommend treating it with a filling, crown, or bonding.
Grinding may also cause tooth sensitivity issues. Ask your dentist for tips on how to break this harmful habit.
Wisdom Teeth
When wisdom teeth get impacted, they can be very painful because of infection or the pressure they put on the surrounding teeth. Impacted wisdom teeth could also cause secondary problems such as tooth damage and crowding if there isn’t enough room for them to properly erupt.
Abscessed Tooth
Bacterial infections may lead to pockets filled with pus. This not only creates painful sensitivity, but can also develop into a more serious, or even life-threatening, condition.
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 Causes of Tooth pain
We also need to mention that some people feel temporary tooth sensitivity, which doesn’t always mean there is a serious problem.
You can help this sensitivity by using toothpaste designed for sensitive teeth. You should also try avoiding really hot or cold food and drinks until the sensitivity is gone.
If you notice ongoing sensitivity (for more than a couple of days), this may be cause for more serious concerns, such as gum recession, and you should see your dentist.
There are also times where the issue causing your tooth pain can be from outside your mouth. Viral or sinus infections, vitamin deficiencies, headaches, or colds may cause symptoms similar to what you might feel with a toothache.
However, it’s still worth it to schedule an appointment with your dentist as ignoring or misdiagnosing the pain yourself could lead to serious issues. Most dental pain won’t stop on its own and should be assessed by your dentist.
How to Help Your Tooth pain
If you want to know how you can alleviate tooth pain, you will first need to schedule an appointment with your dentist so they can diagnose and treat the problem.
Until then, you can try some tooth pain remedies at home. Place an ice pack or take over-the-counter pain medication to help reduce pain and inflammation. Sometimes, a saltwater rinse could help soothe and relieve tooth pain.