Your Chilliwack Invisalign® Provider
Are you plagued by tooth and gum pain? Contact your dentist right away to book an appointment. Today, our Chilliwack dentists list some possible reasons for your pain and what you can do until you're able to get to the dentist.
What causes tooth pain & gum pain?
Whether you have minor severe toothache pain, we always recommend seeing a dentist so its underlying cause can be diagnosed as soon as possible. In most cases, toothaches or discomfort can be prevented with a rigorous oral hygiene routine. However, tooth and gum pain can be caused by many factors, including the following:
Cavity/Tooth Decay
While cavities often occur gradually, pain can come on suddenly. This should be resolved as soon as possible to prevent an infection from taking hold.
Grinding, Trauma or Injury
Grinding your teeth in your sleep can gradually wear them down, while sustaining a more immediate injury (for example, while playing sports) can cause tooth damage or painful fractures - don't ignore this. Your dentist may recommend having it treated with bonding, crown or a filling.
Grinding can also cause tooth sensitivity issues. Ask your dentist for tips on how to break this harmful habit.
Wisdom Teeth
Impacted wisdom teeth can become very painful due to the pressure inflicted on surrounding teeth or infection. They can also lead to secondary issues including crowding and tooth damage if they do not have enough space to erupt properly.
Abscessed Tooth
Bacterial infections may lead to pockets filled with pus. This not only creates painful sensitivity, but can also develop into a more serious, or even 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 Potential Causes
We should note that some people experience temporary tooth sensitivity, which doesn’t necessarily indicate a serious problem.
Using toothpaste made for sensitive teeth may help. You should also attempt to avoid eating extremely hot or cold food and drinks until the sensitivity goes away.
If you notice ongoing sensitivity (for more than a couple of days), this may be cause for more serious concern, such as gum recession, and you should see 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.
What Helps 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.
