Your Kelowna Invisalign® Provider
Are you experiencing tooth or gum pain? Don't hesitate to contact your dentist immediately and book an appointment. Our dentists, available at Kelowna, are here to provide valuable insights on the potential causes of your pain and offer suggestions on how to manage it until your dental visit.
What causes tooth pain & gum pain?
When you experience toothache pain, whether it's mild or intense, it's crucial to consult a dentist promptly to determine its root cause. Maintaining a thorough oral hygiene routine usually helps prevent toothaches and discomfort. However, several factors can contribute to tooth or gum pain, including the following:
Cavity/Tooth Decay
Though cavities often happen gradually, pain can occur suddenly. This should be taken care of as soon as possible to prevent an infection takes hold.
Grinding, Trauma or Injury
A fractured or damaged tooth can be extremely painful, Whether due to teeth grinding during sleep or an injury from sports. It's important not to ignore it! Your dentist might suggest treatments like fillings, crowns, or bonding to alleviate the pain.
Furthermore, grinding your teeth can lead to tooth sensitivity problems. Don't hesitate to ask your dentist for advice on how to break this harmful habit.
Wisdom Teeth
When wisdom teeth get trapped, they can cause significant pain by putting pressure on nearby teeth or causing infections. Additionally, impacted wisdom teeth can cause problems such as tooth damage and overcrowding if there isn't sufficient space for them to grow out normally.
Abscessed Tooth
Bacterial infections can cause pockets filled with pus, which result in both pain and sensitivity. In addition, these infections can progress into a more severe or even life-threatening condition.
Gum Disease
Gum disease, also known as periodontal disease, has different stages. It starts with gingivitis, which is the early stage, and can progress to moderate or severe levels. In the beginning, your dentist can treat gingivitis by performing scaling and root planing.
This procedure involves removing plaque buildup from the gum line. In more severe cases of gum disease, where the condition has progressed, you may require a root canal, antibiotics, and/or surgery as a more urgent treatment.
Other Potential Causes
Some people may experience temporary tooth sensitivity, which doesn't necessarily mean a serious problem.
Using toothpaste for sensitive teeth can help. Avoid consuming very hot or cold food and drinks until the sensitivity subsides.
If you have persistent sensitivity lasting more than a couple of days, it could indicate a more serious issue like gum recession.In such cases, it's important to see your dentist.
Tooth pain may not always originate from dental problems. Viral or sinus infections, vitamin deficiencies, headaches, or colds can cause symptoms similar to a toothache.
Nonetheless, scheduling an appointment with your dentist is advisable because ignoring or self-diagnosing the pain could lead to serious problems. Most dental pain doesn't resolve on its own and should be evaluated by a dentist.
What Helps Tooth Pain?
If you're wondering how to ease tooth pain, the first and most straightforward solution is to schedule a dentist appointment for proper diagnosis and treatment.
Meanwhile, you can try a few home remedies to alleviate tooth pain. Applying an ice pack or taking an over-the-counter pain reliever can help reduce pain and inflammation. Additionally, rinsing your mouth with saltwater may also provide relief for tooth pain.