Everyday Causes And The Recommended Treatments For Sore Teeth And Gums
THERE ARE MANY CAUSES OF TOOTH PAIN
Not many experiences can be as painful as having pain in a tooth. That discomfort can be compounded if you don’t even realize exactly what's causing the toothache. Not all toothaches are the same, mainly because they can come from many different causes. The site of the pain and the level of your discomfort can help your dentist in Houston, TX to ascertain the reason for your toothache, which will allow him or her to determine the best method to treat it so you can return to your best smile. The experienced dentists at MINT dentistry in South Houston confront tooth pain virtually every day. We perform fast, innovative remedies to ease your symptoms and increase your dental health. We have created a list of routine causes of tooth pain and ways it can be treated:
- ILL-FITTING RESTORATIONS
Ill-fitting or broken dental restorations may cause fairly disruptive toothaches. Patients who have a dental crown, bridge, or dentures should be seeing a dentist in Houston, TX two or more times a year to have the wear and fit of the dental restoration evaluated. Patients who are dealing with pain in or near the restoration are advised to set up an appointment with their dental practitioner. An infection or other type of problem may have developed under the restoration, which will need to be handled to restore dental health. - BRUSHING AND FLOSSING TOO HARD
Surprisingly, the majority of people today push too hard while brushing and flossing their pearly whites. This unnecessary aggression may inflame the gums and cause them to bleed quite easily. Eventually, the gums may be worn away, which also causes pain and makes your teeth loose. At MINT dentistry in South Houston, our dental professionals will ensure you understand proper brushing techniques with a soft-bristled toothbrush to decrease your risk of inflamed gums. - ORTHODONTIC TREATMENTS
Soreness in the mouth and toothaches are commonly caused by orthodontic appliances, like braces and retainers, which are used for alignment of the teeth. The discomfort is commonly worst right after the normal tightening of the archwire or if a patient gets a new set of aligners. It often goes away within a matter of days. OTC pain relievers may also be used if needed. In the event that your pain continues or becomes especially uncomfortable, contact your orthodontist or dentist to talk about whether you need to modify the orthodontic appliance. - ABSCESSED TOOTH
In addition to damaging the inside of the tooth, untreated decay in your tooth may also reach the neighboring gum tissue. Known as an abscess, this could result in a pulsating pain in your tooth. The widespread nature of the pain can make it tough to figure out exactly which tooth is the center of the pain. Should you believe you may be developing an infection of the tooth or gums, it is important that you speak to a dentist in Houston, TX right away. Delaying treatment could lead to the loss of the tooth and even regions of your gum tissue and jaw. - GUM DISEASE
A chronic pain in your jaws along with gums that bleed easily are likely signs of gum (periodontal) disease. By the time you start to notice tooth pain, you are probably in the latest stage of gum disease, referred to as periodontitis. To clean out infection, gum surgery is generally done to open and clean out the gum pockets. A cycle of antibiotics is often prescribed to deal with potentially lingering bacteria. - CHIPPED TEETH
Fracturing a tooth isn't uncommon. A tooth can be chipped or cracked playing a sport, taking a bite of something hard (such as peanut brittle), during an accident, and sometimes by tooth grinding. When extreme pain is noticeable, that is a definite sign that a fracture has worked its way to the tooth’s interior, where the nerves are situated. Sometimes, however, the pain may be postponed, only to start up quite a while after the event occurred, once the damage has spread. That is the reason it's important to get tooth chips and fractures treated by your dental practitioner in Houston, TX right away. - TEMPERATURE SENSITIVITY
Experiencing a shooting pain when eating or drinking something that is too hot or too cold is known as tooth sensitivity. While most people might have slight tooth sensitivity every now and then, when it is a chronic problem or is causing extreme toothaches, it can be a sign of a significant problem. Typically, tooth sensitivity is caused by an infection in the tooth, an abscess, or even periodontal disease. As soon as your dentist finds the cause of your tooth sensitivity, they will be able to detail your treatment recommendations. When you have less intense or occasional tooth sensitivity, you should try a toothpaste that is specifically formulated for sensitive teeth. - CHRONIC TEETH GRINDING
Bruxism, commonly known as teeth grinding, can lead to soreness in your jaws, teeth, and even neck muscles, as well as in other nearby muscles. Patients in Houston, TX who have bruxism frequently experience it while they are asleep or under stress. Tooth grinding happens with the jaws firmly squeezed together, so the top and bottom teeth are ground against each other, which could result in pain, chips and cracks, worn-down teeth, and headaches. Using a custom-made night guard during sleep is among the best treatments to reduce the effects of teeth grinding on your teeth and jaw. - TOOTH DECAY
One of the most common triggers of a toothache is decay. If left untreated, a cavity in the outer enamel of the tooth will spread into the tender inner pulp. Once air or other kinds of irritants reach the nerves within the tooth, you will likely experience pain and heat and cold sensitivity. Depending on the amount of decay involved, you could require a filling or root canal to clear out any compromised tissue and save the tooth. - MISALIGNED OR IMPACTED TEETH
Aches and discomfort in the mouth can happen when teeth are crooked, which can cause them to wedge in against one another. Teeth that are impacted might also cause toothaches. To address this pain, your dentist in Houston, TX might suggest an orthodontic treatment to adjust your tooth alignment or an extraction to remove an impacted tooth. Hopefully, you're visiting your dental practitioner twice per year for cleanings and dental health evaluations to allow them to detect issues like an impacted tooth or significant misalignment before you are in a lot of discomfort.
YOU SHOULD NEVER DISMISS TOOTH PAIN
Besides being seriously painful, toothaches are also a hassle. However, delaying treatment is generally a very bad idea, as it can lead to much worse, more expensive dental issues in time. At the initial indication of tooth pain, we invite you to get in touch with MINT dentistry in South Houston and schedule an appointment at our office. Our skilled dental professionals are passionate about helping our patients in Houston, TX maintain their healthiest, most attractive smiles.