Are you suffering from tooth or gum pain? If so, call your dentist straight away to make an appointment. Today, our Winnipeg dentists share some of the most common causes of tooth pain and what you can do to help it until your appointment.
What are some common causes of tooth pain & gum pain?
It doesn't matter if the pain you are feeling in your tooth is only minor or severe, you still need to have your dentist diagnose the cause as quickly as possible. Usually, an excellent oral hygiene routine can prevent discomfort or toothaches. But, there are lots of potential reasons for your gum or tooth pain, such as:
Cavity/Tooth Decay
Usually, cavities develop gradually, but the pain can arise suddenly. You should address this issue as quickly as possible to keep it from getting infected.
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 because of 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 lead to painful sensitivity, but could also turn into a more severe, or potentially life-threatening, condition.
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
You need to know that some people get temporary tooth sensitivity, which isn't always a sign of a serious problem.
You can help alleviate this sensitivity by using toothpaste designed for sensitive teeth. We also recommend avoiding really hot or cold food and drinks until the sensitivity passes.
If you are experiencing 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 make an appointment with your dentist.
There are also situations where tooth pain is caused by a problem outside of the mouth, some of these could include headaches, vitamin deficiencies, a cold, and sinus or viral infections. These can cause similar symptoms to what you may feel with a toothache.
Although, you should still book an appointment with your dentist because ignoring or misdiagnosing your pain by yourself could cause more serious issues. Typically dental pain won’t go away on its own and it should be evaluated by your dentist.
What Can 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 take over-the-counter pain medication to reduce pain and inflammation. In some cases, a saltwater rinse can also help soothe and relieve tooth pain.