Understanding and relieving tooth pain

Everyone experiences tooth pain at some time in their life. Whether it’s a sharp flash of pain when you bite down, a dull ache deep down below your gumline, or the pain caused by swelling, temperature sensitivity, or that of infection, tooth pain can be caused by a number of diverse problems, all of which your dentist can help you treat.

What kinds of problems can cause tooth pain, and how can they be treated?

1. Emerging teeth

The first toothache that we experience is that of emerging or erupting teeth. The crying of teething babies is due to the pain experienced in the gums and jaw when teeth are first emerging. This pain is similar to that experienced by children whose adult teeth are emerging after the loss of baby teeth, and that of adults whose wisdom teeth are emerging later in life. In most cases, the pain felt during these moments of transition are normal, but it is possible for a tooth to become impacted or to grow in the wrong direction, which will naturally cause increased pain and discomfort. While the discomfort of erupting teeth can be ameliorated by an over-the-counter pain medication, an impacted or poorly positioned tooth may require minor oral surgery to accommodate the emerging tooth.

2. Breakage

Chipping, cracking, or otherwise breaking a tooth or dislodging a filling or crown can also cause a major toothache. This often presents as a throbbing pain in the tooth or general area where the damage was done, as a crack or break in teeth (or, similarly, a dislodged filling or crown that previously repaired a crack or break) can expose the tender pulp and delicate nerves underneath the hard enamel, thus irritating the nerves and even creating an opening for an infection. If you have a new chip, crack, or break in a tooth or teeth, your dentist will repair the damage with a filling, bonding, crown, or veneer, all of which involve the use of composite materials (or, in the case of veneers, porcelain or ceramic) to fill in or cover the damage. If you have a dislodged filling or loose crown, your dentist will repair the issue by re-filling the tooth or re-cementing the loose crown.

3. Infection or decay

Another cause of tooth pain is infection or decay. One of the most common forms of tooth decay is a cavity, the result of damage done to the enamel of the tooth by bacteria caused by excess sugar and other foods leading to damaging plaque. While cavities are best avoided by practicing good oral hygiene and eating a balanced diet with minimal amounts of sugar, cavities can be fairly easily remedied with a simple filling, oftentimes accompanied by a dental cleaning.

Toothaches can also be caused by abscesses, which start when an untreated break or crack in a tooth allows bacteria to enter into the inside of the tooth and form a pocket of infection. Left untreated, this can quickly damage the delicate tissues of the inner tooth to the point where it can no longer be salvaged. If you have abscessed tooth, your dentist will likely prescribe antibiotics to stop the infection and manually clean out the decayed tissue via a root canal. In cases of extreme decay, the damaged tooth may need to be removed and replaced with one composed of composite materials.

A final form of infection causing tooth pain is called gingivitis, which is an infection of the gums. Gum disease can be caused by a number of culprits, including poor oral hygiene and/or diet, hormones, certain health conditions and medications, and lifestyle choices such as smoking or chewing tobacco. It is important to visit your dentist on a regular schedule to keep an eye on the health of your gums; left untreated, gingivitis can lead to more extensive gum disease known as periodontis, a dangerous infection of the gums that can lead to tooth loss and even heart and lung disease. If you are suffering from gum disease, your dentist may use antibiotics and medicated mouthwashes to resolve the infection. While regular teeth cleanings can help prevent gum disease, more involved forms of cleaning such as scaling and root planning may be required to get you back on track to happy, healthy gums.

4. Accumulated damage

Even if you have healthy gums and teeth free of major breaks or cracks, you might still suffer from tooth pain from the kinds of damage that are slowly done over time, such as tooth erosion caused by grinding or clenching your teeth. This causes the hard enamel of your teeth to slowly wear away, setting the stage for an increased risk of fractures, cavities, and even infection. To prevent these problems, your dentist may prescribe a mouth guard to be worn at night. Minimizing the stress that causes clenching and grinding can also be helpful, which can be supported by meditation or professional counseling.

When should I call my dentist?

If you have persistent pain (pain that last longer than 24 hours), experience pain while eating or drinking, and especially if you are experiencing fever, swelling, redness, a bad taste or smell in your mouth, you need to be seen and evaluated right away. These could be signs of an infection that requires immediate treatment. Left untreated, these infections will not go away on their own; rather, they will spread, potentially affecting other parts of your body and health. If you have any difficulty swallowing, you should go to the emergency room for immediate treatment.

For less immediate concerns, such as a cavity, emerging teeth, or small chip or break, there are some things you can do to lessen the pain while you wait to be seen by your dentist, including saltwater rinses, over-the-counter pain medications, and ice packs. While this can help relieve the pain in the meantime, it isn’t a long-term fix, so be sure to call your dentist before popping some Tylenol. With her or his help, you’ll soon be on the road to recovery.

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