Five Common Causes of Tooth Pain
We can handle many different health issues here at Artistic Expressions Dentistry. This is why patients throughout the greater Philadelphia area come to our practice, which offers advanced retorative dentistry to improve your dental health and state-of-the-art cosmetic dentistry to enhance the appearance of your smile.
One of the most common dental problems that patients experience is tooth pain. Let's look at five common causes of toothaches and then consider how they can be treated and prevented.
Cause #1: Cavities and Tooth Decay
Cavities and tooth decay are both very common causes of toothaches and tooth pain. In fact, a common sign of a serious cavity is tooth pain or tooth sensitivity.
Cause #2: Injuries and Trauma to the Teeth
Another common cause of toothaches is trauma to the mouth area. This can occur as a result of assaults, auto accidents or bike accidents, slips and falls, sports accidents, and so on.
Cause #3: Tooth Grinding (Bruxism)
Tooth grinding (the unconscious shifting, clenching, and gnashing of the teeth while a person is asleep) can cause the teeth to feel sore and can even lead to chips and cracks in a person's tooth structure.
Cause #4: Infection of a Tooth
When the pulp within a tooth becomes infected, it can lead to serious pain. This infection often occurs following a serious injury to the tooth or case of tooth decay.
Cause #5: Gum Disease
While you're think that periodontal infections only affect the gums, gum disease can lead to tooth decay at the gumline, loose teeth, and changes in tooth alignment.
Dental Care Treatments for Tooth Pain
The best option to address your toothache will depend on the actual cause of the dental pain.
- In the case of tooth injury and tooth damage, the ideal treatment option will be the use of a dental restoration, such as a filling, an inlay, or an onlay.
- For the infection of the dental pulp within a tooth, the ideal option is to perform root canal therapy, which will involve the removal of the dental pulp within a tooth and the filling of the pulp chamber with an inert material.
- If a patient suffers from gum disease, the best treatment option will be to first address the infection of the gums, which is typically done with antiseptic rinses and antibiotics. Once the infection is under control, any tooth decay can be treated and the gumline can be restored as needed.
- Tooth grinding will often require the use of a mouth guard, one that is worn while the patient sleeps to reduce the amount of pressure on the jaw joint and the teeth. Orthodontic treatment may also be performed to improve dental alignment and reduce the chances of tooth grinding from occurring.
Tips for Preventing Toothaches and Tooth Pain
If you want to prevent toothaches and pain, it's a good idea to consider the following:
- Wear mouth protection while playing sports
- Brush your teeth at least twice a day (ideally after every meal)
- Floss your teeth at least once a night (ideally after every meal)
- Do not use tobacco products
- Visit your dentist twice a year for regular checkups
Learn More About Your Dental Treatment Options
For more information about tooth pain and improving your overall dental health in the process, be sure to contact our cosmetic and restorative dentistry center today. Dr. Bruce Wilderman and his entire team will help you have a smile that looks great and is healthy as well.