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What causes tooth pain & gum pain?
Regardless of how bad the toothache hurts, you should always see a dentist as soon as possible to find the root of the problem. A strict oral hygiene regimen will typically stop toothaches or discomfort. However, there are numerous potential causes of tooth or gum pain, such as the following:
Cavity/Tooth Decay
Although cavities usually develop gradually, pain can strike suddenly. This should be addressed as soon as possible to avoid the spread of infection.
Grinding, Trauma or Injury
A fractured or damaged tooth can be extremely painful; don't ignore it, whether you grind your teeth while you sleep and gradually wear them down, or you suffer an injury in a more immediate way, like while playing sports. Your dentist might advise using a filling, crown, or bonding to treat it.
Grinding may also cause tooth sensitivity issues. Ask your dentist for tips on how to break this harmful habit.
Wisdom Teeth
When wisdom teeth become impacted, they can cause severe pain due to the pressure they put on the surrounding teeth or infection. If there isn't enough space for wisdom teeth to erupt properly, they can cause tooth damage and crowding.
Abscessed Tooth
Pouched pockets could result from bacterial infections. This can not only result in excruciating sensitivity, but also worsen into a condition that could be fatal.
Gum Disease
Gum disease (periodontal disease) can range from mild to severe (gingivitis). In the early stages of gingivitis, your dentist may treat it with a procedure known as scaling and root planing, which involves 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.
Making an appointment with your dentist is still worthwhile, though, as ignoring or self-diagnosing the pain could have serious consequences. The majority of dental pain won't go away on its own and needs to be evaluated 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, you can try a few home remedies for tooth pain. To relieve pain and inflammation, apply an ice pack or take an over-the-counter pain reliever. A saltwater rinse can also help soothe and relieve tooth pain in some cases.
