Tooth Pain? What’s Causing it, and How to Fix It
Living with chronic pain is one of the hardest things that anyone has to do. If that pain is originating in a tooth, however, then this is not something you have to live with. In fact, ignoring that pain can lead to disastrous consequences that go far beyond your mouth. Dental conditions like gingivitis or tooth decay, for example, can cause poison to enter the bloodstream.
Now, if you are feeling run down, sick, and are dealing with a general ache in your gums or teeth, but there’s no sharp pain anywhere, then your issue is likely due to sinus pressure, and it will go away on its own.
If you can touch a tooth or teeth and feel the pain radiate down, however, then you have a dental issue, and this is likely what’s causing it:
Common Tooth Pain Causes
- Cavities: You may not notice small cavities, but as they grow, they start causing more sensitivity and only pain. This may only happen initially if you eat or drink particularly hot or cold items.
- Gum Diseases: Gum disease happens when bacteria start infecting your gums. Bacteria can build up around your gum line or even underneath it. If left untreated, gum disease can lead to full tooth loss.
- Dentin Exposure: If your enamel wears away (which happens when exposed to acids in drinks or excess sugar intake) then your dentin layer can be exposed. This layer is sensitive to hot, cold, sweet or acidic items.
- Broken Tooth: Your teeth can crack or even break for any number of reasons, like getting into a fight or biting down on something too hard. This break can be very painful and can lead to full tooth rot if untreated.
- Abscess: Sometimes bacteria can cause an abscess, which usually forms at the root of the tooth. This abscess is a pus-filled pocket that can cause severe pain and localized swelling.
How to Fix Your Tooth Pain
Now that you know a bit more about why your tooth may be hurting, it’s time to gear up and learn how to tackle it:
Kill the Bacteria in Your Mouth
If your symptoms are very, very minor then you may be able to help fix the problem just by removing the excess bacteria. This can be done with a saltwater rinse, or medical mouthwash.
Pain Medication
Pain medication won’t fix your toothache but will help you manage the pain until your dental appointment. Choose options like ibuprofen or acetaminophen, as these help with inflammation.
Get Dental Care
In most cases, however, you will need dental care. Cavities must be filled, cracks repaired, and anything below the gum line will need surgical tools. If you wait, you may need a full root canal and lose the whole tooth. However, don’t worry if the tooth needs to be removed. There’s always a dental implant, which you can learn more about if this is a very real reality for you in the future.
Key Takeaways
The good news is that very few dental conditions cannot be fixed. You can get new, natural-looking fake teeth if your existing ones are too far gone to save. You can get a full set of new teeth if you have the budget or your very own custom dentures. There’s always a way back to a healthy smile, but before you worry about that, worry about your health. If you’re experiencing tooth pain, book an appointment ASAP.
