Your Parksville Invisalign® Provider
You will need to contact your dentist immediately if you are suffering from tooth or gum pain, to make an appointment. Today our Parksville dentists share some of the reasons why your tooth might be hurting, and ways you can manage the pain until your appointment.
What can cause tooth & gum pain?
Whether the pain you are feeling in your tooth or gums is minor or severe you should always have the cause diagnosed by your dentist as quickly as possible. Most of the time, a proper oral hygiene routine can prevent discomfort or toothaches. But, there are many possible reasons for a toothache or gum pain such as the following:
Tooth Decay/ Cavity
Cavities generally develop gradually, but the pain can arise suddenly. You should have this issue addressed as quickly as possible to prevent any infections.
Injury, Trauma, or Grinding
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 become impacted, they often become quite painful due to the pressure they inflict on the surrounding teeth or infection. Impacted wisdom teeth can also lead to secondary issues including tooth damage and crowding if there isn’t enough space for them to erupt properly.
Abscessed Tooth
Bacterial infections can cause pus-filled pockets. This doesn't just create painful sensitivity, but could also lead to more serious, or possibly life-threatening, conditions.
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 Possible Causes
We should inform you that some people can feel temporary tooth sensitivity, which isn't always a sign of a serious condition.
You might be able to help this kind of tooth sensitivity by using toothpaste designed for sensitive teeth. You should also try avoiding very hot or cold food and drinks until the sensitivity stops.
If you have tooth sensitivity for more than a couple of days, it could be a sign of a more serious problem, such as gum recession, and you should visit your dentist.
There are also times the issue that’s causing your tooth pain may lie 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 Can I Help My 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 home remedies for tooth pain you can try. Apply an ice pack or taking an over-the-counter pain medication to reduce pain and inflammation. In some cases, a saltwater rinse can also help soothe and relieve tooth pain.