If you are experiencing tooth or gum pain, contact your dentist immediately to schedule an appointment. Our Bolton dentists explain some possible causes of your pain and what you can do until you can see a dentist in this post.
What causes tooth pain & gum pain?
Regardless of the severity of the toothache pain, you should always consult a dentist as soon as possible to determine the underlying cause. In the majority of cases, a strict oral hygiene regimen will prevent toothaches or discomfort. Numerous factors, however, can contribute to tooth or gum pain, including 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 takes hold.
Grinding, Trauma or Injury
Whether you grind your teeth at night and gradually wear them down, or you suffer an injury more immediately, such as while playing sports, a fractured or damaged tooth can be extremely painful – don't ignore it. Your dentist may recommend fillings, crowns, or bonding to treat it.
Grinding may also cause tooth sensitivity issues. Ask your dentist for tips on how to break this harmful habit.
Wisdom Teeth
When wisdom teeth become impacted, they frequently become quite painful as a result of the pressure they exert on the neighbouring teeth or as a result of infection. If there is insufficient space for them to erupt properly, impacted wisdom teeth can also cause secondary problems such as tooth damage and crowding.
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 be mild (gingivitis) or severe (periodontitis). Scaling and root planing – the process of removing plaque buildup from the gum line – may be used to treat gingivitis in its early stages.
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
We should note that some people experience temporary tooth sensitivity, which doesn’t necessarily indicate a serious problem.
Using toothpaste made for sensitive teeth may help. You should also attempt to avoid eating extremely hot or cold food and drinks until the sensitivity goes away.
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.
Occasionally, the source of your tooth pain may be located outside your mouth. Symptoms similar to those associated with a toothache can be caused by viral or sinus infections, vitamin deficiencies, headaches, or colds.
However, scheduling an appointment with your dentist is still worthwhile, as ignoring or misdiagnosing the pain on your own could result in serious complications. The majority of dental pain will not resolve on its own and should be evaluated 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.
In the meantime, there are a few natural tooth pain remedies you can try. Reduce pain and inflammation by applying an ice pack or taking over-the-counter pain medication. A saltwater rinse may also help soothe and relieve tooth pain in some cases.