What causes tooth pain & gum pain?
It is crucial to get a proper diagnosis from a dentist, regardless of whether your toothache pain is mild or severe. While maintaining good oral hygiene can usually help prevent toothaches or discomfort, there are various factors that could be causing tooth or gum pain. These may include:
Cavity/Tooth Decay
Cavities usually develop slowly, but the pain can come on suddenly. It's important to address this promptly to prevent an infection from taking hold.
Grinding, Trauma or Injury
If you grind your teeth while sleeping or have an injury from playing sports, it can cause damage to your teeth and result in severe pain. It is crucial not to ignore it and seek treatment from your dentist.
Treatment options may include fillings, crowns, or bonding. Additionally, teeth grinding can lead to sensitivity problems. It's best to ask your dentist for advice on how to overcome this harmful habit.
Wisdom Teeth
When wisdom teeth get stuck, they can cause a lot of pain by pressing on nearby teeth or causing an infection. This can also result in other problems like tooth damage and overcrowding if there isn't enough room for them to come out correctly.
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
Periodontal disease, also known as gum disease, can develop in different stages, including gingivitis, moderate, and severe. In the initial phase, your dentist may recommend scaling and root planing, which involves the removal of plaque buildup from the gum line to treat gingivitis. However, if the condition has progressed to a severe stage, urgent treatment such as a root canal, antibiotics, and/or surgery may be necessary.
Other Potential Causes
Some people may experience temporary tooth sensitivity, which is usually not a serious problem.
Using toothpaste for sensitive teeth might help. Avoiding very hot or cold food and drinks until the sensitivity goes away can also be beneficial.
If you have ongoing sensitivity lasting more than a couple of days, it could indicate a more serious concern like gum recession. In such cases, it's important to see your dentist.
Sometimes, tooth pain may be caused by factors outside the mouth, such as viral or sinus infections, vitamin deficiencies, headaches, or colds. These conditions can produce similar symptoms to a toothache.
Nevertheless, it is still important to make an appointment with your dentist because ignoring or misdiagnosing the pain yourself could lead to serious issues. Most dental pain doesn't go away on its own and should be evaluated by a dentist.
What Helps Tooth Pain?
If you're experiencing tooth pain and looking for relief, the best course of action is to schedule an appointment with your dentist for proper diagnosis and treatment. However, in the meantime, there are a few home remedies you can try. Applying an ice pack or taking over-the-counter pain medication can help reduce pain and inflammation. Additionally, a saltwater rinse may also provide some relief and soothing for tooth pain.