The Usual Suspects: The Most Common Causes of Tooth Pain
Whether it’s dull and steady or sharp and throbbing, there are few pains as intolerable and annoying as tooth pains. While modern restorative dentistry offers many outstanding solutions for rebuilding teeth that have been structurally damaged, patients must first address the core issues that are causing their teeth to hurt. At the practice of John Goodman, D.D.S. in Kansas City, tooth pain treatment must be performed to alleviate pain before restorative and cosmetic dentistry can be used to return form and function to the smile.
It is important that, if you are experiencing moderate to severe tooth pain, and especially if it has lasted for more than a couple of days, you seek help immediately. Please call our office at (816) 842-8585. Remember that pain is your body’s way of signaling to your brain that something is not right and requires your immediate attention. By putting off treatment, you are increasing the risk that your oral health problem will only escalate, causing further pain and requiring even more extensive and expensive treatment in the future.
The Most Common Causes of Pain in Teeth
Tooth pain can be an indicator of a problem either within the tooth or in the gum or bone supporting the tooth. The most common causes of tooth pain include:
- Tooth decay: As its name suggests, tooth decay refers to the actual deterioration of the structure of the tooth. Each tooth comprises two layers: the hard, protective outer layer known as the enamel, and the underlying layer known as the dentin. Within these layers resides between one and four root canals, within which there is a substance called dental pulp. This pulp consists of blood vessels, nerves, and nutrients that keep the tooth healthy. As bacteria eat away at the enamel and the dentin, painful cavities - holes - can form in the tooth. If they reach the root canals, the pulp can become infected, resulting in potentially excruciating pain. If left untreated, root canal infections will eventually result in the death and loss of the tooth.
- Gum disease: Gum disease, or periodontal disease, is the most common disease among American adults, affecting roughly three-quarters of the population to varying degrees. In its most severe form, periodontitis, the gums can become inflamed and infected, leading potentially to pain in the periodontal tissues as well as the tooth.
- Trauma: Any time a tooth is structurally damaged or weakened, it becomes vulnerable to pain. Chips, cracks, fractures, and other forms of trauma can all cause tooth pain.
- Bruxism: Otherwise known as teeth grinding, chronic bruxism can cause the teeth to become worn and sore.
In addition to tooth pain, symptoms that demand immediate dental treatment include:
- Increased pain when pressure is applied to the tooth
- Swollen gums
- Fever
- A foul taste in the mouth
- Drainage from the tooth
- Headache
Contact the Dental Practice of John Goodman, D.D.S. Today
If you are experiencing tooth pain, or you simply want to schedule your initial consultation with one of the finest dentists in the nation, please contact the dental practice of John Goodman, D.D.S. today.