Home News & Blog Teeth Pain Causes And How To Treat Them — What You Need To Know

Teeth Pain Causes And How To Treat Them — What You Need To Know

20th August 2022

Tooth pain is one of the most common reasons for an emergency dental visit. There may be several reasons for tooth discomfort, and the pain experienced can also vary. But whether it is shallow or extensive tooth pain, No Gaps Dental has experienced dentists that can help determine the cause to alleviate any discomfort.

Read along to know more about teeth pain causes and the possible dental treatments you can expect.

Common Teeth Pain Causes

Identifying the reason for tooth pain is the best way to treat it. When you arrive at our clinic, our emergency dentist will ask you about the nature, location, and frequency of pain to address your concerns better.

Sensitivity to food and drinks

Tooth pain or sensitivity may occur when the tooth nerves are exposed to extreme changes in the temperature of food or drink. Sensitivity can become more pronounced as you age and the enamel thins down. But typically, sensitivity should dissipate once the stimulus is removed.

Treatment: Sensitivity does not usually manifest as severe tooth pain. But if sensitivity is a significant cause of the discomfort, your dentist can resort to enamel remineralisation techniques such as fluoride varnish. This will restore the health of the tooth enamel to eradicate sensitivity.

Tooth decay

Decay or cavity can leave the tooth nerves exposed, and it will naturally become more sensitive. The more extensive the tooth decay, the more painful it will be. But sometimes, significant corrosion and damage may also render the tooth necrotic, so any toothache is unlikely to be felt. Don’t let it get to this point. As soon as you see any signs of tooth decay or upon the first onset of pain, schedule an immediate visit to your dentist.

Treatment: Restoring tooth decay depends on the severity of the problem. Small to mid-sized cavities can be treated with just dental fillings. But for a larger cavity, your dentist may recommend an inlay, onlay, or even a dental crown.

Cracked tooth or crown

A cracked tooth can be hard to spot, particularly if it’s located in the back tooth. It can be extremely painful or not hurt at all. But if tooth pain is severe, it’s advisable to visit your emergency dentist so they can take a closer look.

Treatment: Dental fillings or crowns are some options for a cracked tooth repair. But sometimes, the crack is too severe, so extraction is better.

Gum disease

Another reason for tooth pain is gingivitis. Gingivitis can result in the gum pulling away from the tooth. As a result, it can leave your tooth root exposed. Exposure of the tooth root is one of the common causes of teeth pain as the root is a highly sensitive area. In some instances, discomfort can be felt even with just a blow of air.

Treatment: Prevent any further progression of gum disease by getting professional teeth cleaning with your dentist. This will remove irritants and renew the health of your gums. Then, composite fillings or veneers can be a good restoration for the exposed tooth areas.

Tooth infection

Common teeth pain causes also involve the presence of a dental abscess or cyst, which can start as just simple tooth decay. It can affect just one tooth or present as a widespread infection with evident facial swelling. As soon as you see signs of infection such as pus on the gums, inflammation, and fever, schedule a visit with an emergency dentist for urgent management.

Treatment: Infections are treated with antibiotics to eliminate and prevent the growth of bacteria that may result in further complications. Root canal treatment is also recommended unless the situation is too complicated, which can warrant a tooth extraction.

Dental trauma

A dental emergency such as an extensively fractured tooth or a knocked-out (avulsed) tooth may cause extensive tooth pain that radiates up to the head. This requires a visit to the dentist for immediate treatment and care. Until you reach an emergency dental clinic, place a knocked-out tooth in a container with milk or saliva so your dentist can try to save it.

Treatment: The sooner you are treated by an emergency dentist for any trauma to the teeth, the better the chances of saving the tooth. Extensive tooth fractures can still be treated with root canal therapy, then a crown. Meanwhile, a knocked-out tooth can be positioned back in its socket and splinted. In good conditions, it should function normally after a few weeks.

Wisdom teeth

And perhaps the most common of all teeth pain causes is associated with wisdom teeth. When the third molars or the wisdom teeth erupt, they’re often accompanied by various dental issues, including temporary tooth pain.

Treatment: An X-ray is the best way to identify the treatment of a problematic wisdom tooth. With this, we can assess the location of your wisdom tooth and if removing it is the best thing to do.

Know When to Visit an Emergency Dentist

If you’re unsure of the reason for tooth pain, it’s best to visit your dentist as soon as possible. Early intervention makes for better and more effective treatment. Early treatment also helps prevent systemic symptoms and irreversible complications.

Whether it is a dental emergency or simple tooth decay, our team at No Gaps Dental can help. Contact us at (02) 8007 6727, so we can schedule your visit to one of our multi-location clinics

Note: Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.