Tooth Pain
Pain is a signal that something is wrong. Any tooth pain should be taken seriously, because ignoring this symptom can lead to more serious dental and medical consequences. Among the common causes of tooth pain are decay, erosion, infection, and trauma.
Tooth Decay
Tooth decay begins with the bacteria in plaque. These bacteria create acids that strip the minerals from tooth enamel, forming weak spots in the enamel. Without treatment, weak spots grow into cavities. When tooth decay reaches the softer dentin below the enamel, the tooth develops sensitivity to heat, cold, and sweets. Deeper cavities can reach the pulp inside the tooth, which has extremely sensitive nerve tissue. These cavities can be very painful.
See your dentist as soon as you suspect you have a cavity. Early tooth decay can sometimes be reversed. A small or medium cavity can be treated with a filling. Deep cavities might require most extensive restorations.
Tooth Erosion
Enamel erosion causes tooth sensitivity and makes teeth more vulnerable to decay. Acidic foods and drinks such as citrus juices, sodas, and energy drinks can erode enamel when they’re enjoyed too frequently. Enamel erosion can be caused by acidic backwash from gastric reflux or other medical conditions. Enamel can be damaged by brushing too aggressively, or even using a brush with hard or medium bristles.
When erosion is caught early, medical treatment or lifestyle changes can limit damage. Because enamel doesn’t grow back, more serious erosion might be treated with fillings, bonding, veneers, or crowns.
Gum Disease
Advanced gum disease is a serious infection that causes the gum tissue to pull away from the teeth. Tooth roots are covered with cementum, a softer substance than enamel, which makes them more vulnerable to tooth sensitivity and painful root cavities.
Gum disease is a progressive infection that can damage gums, teeth, and bone. Deep cleanings, antibiotics, and gum grafts are among the treatments available to restore gum health and protect tooth roots.
Pulp Infection
The pulp inside each tooth is composed of living tissue, including nerves and blood vessels. When the pulp is exposed to bacteria, whether due to deep decay, injury, or gum disease, it can become infected. Symptoms include persistent pain and sensitivity, as well as red, swollen, or tender gums.
Left untreated, an infected tooth might need to be extracted. Infection can spread to the gums, jawbone, and other parts of the body. A root canal procedure is generally used to treat a tooth with a pulp infection. During root canal treatment, your dentist will remove any infected tissue, clean and fill the site, and often restore the tooth with a crown.
Tooth Grinding (Bruxism)
Bruxism is the medical term for excessive tooth grinding and/or jaw clenching. Because our jaw muscles are capable of producing hundreds of pounds of force, continuous grinding and clenching can cause significant damage to teeth and jaws without dental intervention.
Unconscious grinding or clenching during waking hours is referred to as “awake bruxism.” Awake bruxing frequently occurs during times of focused concentration, stress, frustration, or anxiety. Simply being aware of clenching and grinding is often all that’s necessary to stop. Further possible treatments include jaw relaxation and stress-reduction techniques, mouthguards, and medication.
More commonly, bruxism takes place while sleeping. Because sleeping bruxers are unaware that repetitive grinding or clenching is taking place, sleep bruxism may lead to serious dental complications over time.
Bruxing can cause fractured and chipped teeth, worn tooth surfaces, and lost enamel. Major damage might require a crown or an extraction. Bruxing pressure can crack veneers, fillings, and crowns, and is linked to dental implant failure. Persistent bruxing can injure the temporomandibular joint, the complex joint which allows us to move our jaws in all directions.
Sleep bruxism has been linked to a variety of possible triggers, among them:
- Stress and anxiety
- Personality type
- Cigarette smoking
- Alcohol and caffeine consumption
- Sleep apnea
- Problems with bite or tooth alignment
- Certain medications and medical conditions
- A hereditary tendency in families
While there is no cure for sleep bruxism, your dentist can help you manage the condition. Relaxation techniques, lifestyle adjustments, medication, sleep disorder treatment, dental or medical care, for example, can help address the triggers for your bruxism.
And you can prevent further damage to your teeth and jaws with the use of a custom-fabricated nightguard. Nightguards fit over the teeth, preventing tooth injuries caused by grinding and reducing stress on your jaw.
Your dental team will take an impression of your teeth and a dental lab will create an appliance tailored to your specific needs. Because these nightguards are custom fitted by your dentist, they are more effective, more comfortable, and more durable than over the counter options.
There are symptoms which may indicate that you’re sleep bruxing before serious dental damage appears. These include:
- Tooth pain or sensitivity
- Enamel which appears flattened or worn
- Chipped or cracked teeth and cusps
- Loose teeth
- Frequent headaches or facial pain
- A sore jaw or clicking and popping noises when you move your jaw
- Earaches or ringing in your ears
- Waking up with tongue, mouth, or cheek injuries
- Fatigue due to sleep disruption
- Being overheard grinding your teeth
If you have any of these symptoms and suspect you might be grinding or clenching your teeth, consult your dentist right away. Prompt treatment can help maintain and protect your dental health.
Trauma
Dental trauma caused by a collision, a blow to the face, a sporting injury, a fall, or any other accident should be evaluated immediately. Sometimes, damage to a tooth isn’t obvious, and persistent pain could mean a hairline fracture or damage below the gum line.
Your dentist can often repair chips, cracks, and fractures in the office. For severe dental trauma, your dentist might refer you to an oral surgeon or endodontist for specialized treatment or surgery.
If you have been suffering from persistent tooth pain, see your dentist as soon as possible to discover the cause of your discomfort. Together, you can decide on a treatment plan that will give you back your healthy, pain-free smile.