Tooth Pain

Tooth pain can be the worst. It's not something you want to ignore, but it isn't always easy to know what to do when tooth pain strikes. 

To find out the source of the problem, an emergency dental exam needs to be performed by a dentist. 

After the examination, the dentist will provide you with the reason and cause of the tooth pain. 

Tooth Pain Causes

Generally, tooth pain is caused by problems with jaws or teeth. The pain may be tooth-related or jaw-related. There are three leading causes of toothache: tooth decay, a cracked tooth, tooth sensitivity to toothpaste, or tooth whitening products.

Tooth pain can be mild, moderate, or severe. If tooth pain emanates from tooth decay, the tooth may be sensitive to hot and cold food and drinks but not painful when touched. Severe tooth pain is intense and constant. 

Tooth decay

It is the most common cause of tooth pain and contains various degrees of severity. Typically, cavities are holes in tooth enamel that form from the breakdown of tooth decay and can lead to tooth pain. Abscesses are tooth infections that occur at the pulp or the nerve when tooth decay is left untreated.

Tooth damage

It's one of the common causes of tooth pain. For instance, teeth that are broken or chipped by tooth brushing or trauma can cause tooth pain. Similarly, a broken, damaged filling or dental implant can cause tooth pain.

Gum Disease

The signs of gum disease are swollen, red gums that bleed easily and pus-filled pockets in the gums. Gingivitis might cause dental pain when plaque builds up. 

Tooth Pain Symptoms

Tooth pain is often accompanied by toothache symptoms such as tooth sensitivity, tooth swelling, or tooth discoloration. Knowing various symptoms of tooth pain can help toothache sufferers to distinguish between tooth-related and jaw-related tooth problems.

How to Get Rid of Tooth Pain

If your dental pain is severe, consult a dentist immediately. Similarly, a dental emergency if the pain lasts for more than a day or comes with fever or ear pain. The dentist will diagnose the cause of your tooth pain and provide you with tooth pain relief medication.

In the meantime, tooth pain can be relieved by following these steps:

• Take an over-the-counter pain reliever such as ibuprofen
• Apply cool compresses to the tooth or jaw area for 20 minutes at a time.
• Take acetaminophen and ibuprofen
• Drink plenty of fluids to flush out tooth decay.
• Visit a dental emergency dentist.