Understanding the potential causes of this pain is the first step towards relief and treatment. Here, we look at the various reasons that might lead to this specific kind of dental discomfort and what you can do about it.

Tooth Decay

One of the most prevalent reasons for experiencing pain when chewing or releasing pressure is tooth decay. While early tooth decay typically does not have symptoms, cavities that progress can reach into the dentin and pulp, where nerve tissue lives [1]. Pressure applied while biting can affect the sensitive areas, leading to discomfort.

Cracked or Fractured Tooth

A cracked or fractured tooth can cause sharp pain when biting down. The fracture may not always be visible, but it often places stress on the underlying nerves. Eating hard foods or grinding teeth can lead to such conditions, aggravating the tooth with each bite.

Dental Abscess

An abscess is a pocket of pus formed due to a bacterial infection. When the infection spreads to the pulp inside the tooth, it can result in significant pain upon biting [2]. This condition requires immediate dental attention since it can lead to more severe and even life-threatening oral health complications.

Gum Disease

Periodontal disease, commonly known as gum disease, can also be a culprit of tooth pain. Infection and inflammation in the gums can affect the surrounding teeth, making them sensitive to pressure. Advanced gum disease can also cause loose teeth, which can lead to discomfort when biting down or releasing pressure [3].

Recent Dental Work

If you have recently undergone a dental procedure like a filling, crown, or root canal, you might experience temporary discomfort when biting. This sensitivity often subsides as the tooth and surrounding tissues heal. However, if the pain persists, it’s important to consult your dentist. Dentists often advise against chewing on the side of the mouth where the work was completed for a period of time.

Diagnosing the Issue

Diagnosing the root cause of your tooth pain involves a comprehensive examination by a dental professional. They may use the following tools to diagnose the problem:

• Visual exam. This simple exam allows your dentist to check for visible signs of cavities, cracks, or gum irritation.
• Percussion test. Your dentist will tap on different areas of the tooth to help determine if the pain is centralized or radiates.
• Bite stress test. You may be asked to bite down on specific materials to pinpoint the exact location of the discomfort.
• X-rays. For underlying issues such as abscesses or bone fractures not visible to the naked eye, dentists will take X-rays.

Talk to Your Dentist About Your Tooth Pain

If you’re experiencing persistent tooth pain while biting down or releasing pressure, it’s crucial to address the issue promptly with a dental professional. Ignoring the pain could lead to worsening dental issues, possibly requiring more intensive treatments. Contact your dentist today to schedule an examination and discuss your symptoms to ensure a pain-free smile!

Sources:

1. https://www.nidcr.nih.gov/health-info/tooth-decay#symptoms
2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK493149/
3. https://www.nidcr.nih.gov/health-info/gum-disease#symptoms

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The Affected Tissue in Your Tooth Is Removed

Some patients who need root canal therapy have an infection inside their tooth, or extensive decay that’s compromised the inner tissue that supplies the tooth with blood and nutrients to keep it alive.

During a root canal, any tissue that’s been affected will be removed by your dentist or endodontist—a specialist at saving teeth. This tissue generally consists of nerves that may or may not be dead, and will be cleaned out from your tooth.

The removal of this material will prevent your tooth from being sensitive to temperature and, if your affected tooth is discolored, help restore its natural hue.

The Pulp Chamber Is Cleaned and Sealed

Once the affected tissue is removed, your dentist will carefully clean the inside of your tooth—sometimes called the pulp chamber—with special tools. This cleaning process will remove any bacteria and remaining microscopic tissue in your tooth that could contribute to future problems.

After the cleaning is done, your dentist or endodontist will dry and seal the canal to protect the tooth and ensure an infection can’t happen. The pulp chamber of the tooth is sealed with a biocompatible material, meaning your body will not react to it and it won’t cause any problems [2].

Your Tooth Is Capped Off With a Dental Restoration

Now that your tooth has been properly cleaned and sealed, you’ll need to have some type of restoration placed over your tooth to protect it from further trauma [3]. Many patients will get a dental crown, which is a porcelain replication of your natural tooth, placed over the area. However, some patients will only need a filling material to keep the treated tooth protected.

Your dentist can let you know more about what you need during your consultation for root canal therapy!

Could a Root Canal Benefit Your Smile?

Root canal therapy can save a tooth that’s been impacted by decay or an injury, and for patients that have a single discolored tooth, a root canal can generally restore its color. If you’ve been told you need a root canal, don’t fret about this common procedure. Your root canal will be handled by an experienced dentist or endodontist to save your tooth!

Sources:
1. https://news.llu.edu/patient-care/let-s-get-root-of-root-canal
2. https://www.aae.org/patients/root-canal-treatment/what-is-a-root-canal/root-canal-
3. https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/007275.htm

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Extensive Tooth Decay

The most common cause of a painful toothache is extensive tooth decay [1]. What this means is that you may have a cavity that’s gotten deep enough to cause discomfort or even an infection. You may or may not be able to see the cavity simply by examining your teeth in the mirror.

For many patients, tooth decay won’t cause symptoms until the cavity has progressed to the point that the nerve tissue becomes involved and potentially infected. Once this happens, you’ll likely need root canal therapy to save your tooth.

Damage to Dental Restorations

Another potential cause of your uncomfortable toothache could be damage to a dental restoration you’ve had done. Think a filling, crown, or dental bridge. You may have caused damage to your filling by eating a hard or sticky food, or your filling could have naturally deteriorated over time (remember, no restoration lasts forever!).

If your dental restoration is causing your tooth pain, your dentist will simply need to repair the affected tooth with a new restoration for you to begin feeling better!

A Cracked Tooth

Cracked teeth aren’t always obvious when they happen. For some, the pain and sensation of injuring a tooth to the point that it fractures will be obvious. For others, the crack won’t become apparent until pain or discomfort appears down the road.

One common symptom of a cracked tooth is pain that comes and goes when eating hot or cold foods [2]. If a cracked tooth is left untreated for long enough, it could affect the nerves of the teeth and require root canal therapy to fix.

Other Potential Causes of Tooth Pain

There are other causes of tooth pain, including a bruised tooth, which can happen when biting down on hard foods or another injury. A bruised tooth happens when the connective tissue that helps hold your tooth in place is essentially bruised and becomes inflamed due to injury.

Some people could also experience aching teeth from a sinus infection, teeth grinding, or an impacted wisdom tooth [3]. The only way to identify the root cause of your toothache is by visiting your dentist for a professional exam.

Don’t Ignore a Toothache!

Toothaches rarely go away on their own. Typically, whatever is causing the toothache will continue to get worse until it’s treated. By visiting your local dentist, you can help uncover the cause and receive treatment before it’s too late to save your tooth!

Sources:
1. https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/003067.htm
2. https://www.aae.org/patients/dental-symptoms/cracked-teeth/
3. https://www.healthlinkbc.ca/health-topics/tooth

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When your body has an infection, it tries to fight it off by raising your white blood cell count to stop the invading bacteria. Bacteria that cause an infection rarely go away on their own. Typically, an infection will get worse without medical intervention.

The same is true for infections in your mouth. Infected gums or teeth can and will continue to get worse without help. Unless the infection is properly treated, you could be putting your smile in harm’s way by ignoring the infection.

Here’s why you should never wait to treat a gum or tooth infection.

Infections Will Worsen

As we just discussed, infections don’t get better on their own. In order for this to happen, the bacteria that are causing the infection need to be removed.

For example, with a gum infection, pockets of pus often begin to form around the gumline in-between the gums and your teeth. Unless this area is properly cleaned and the infection is entirely removed, it will continue to get worse. Only a professional dentist can properly clean the area and prevent the infection from coming back.

With a tooth infection, the problem could lie below the gumline. Typically, this happens when a cavity has gotten so large that the decay is now present in your tooth’s root. This allows the pulp of your tooth to become infected, which can be very painful. When this happens, you’ll need a root canal to remove the decaying pulp and save your tooth. Otherwise, the infection will continue to get worse and could even move into your gums and cause a tooth abscess.

Bacteria Can Spread to the Bloodstream

Tooth and gum infections are not something that you want to wait to treat. By the time you notice symptoms of infection, it’s likely that the infection has already gotten worse. Infections such as these can actually enter the bloodstream if they’re left to progress.

Once bacteria enter the bloodstream, it makes its way to the heart. Here, the bacteria can cause adverse health symptoms and even death. People who let tooth infections go have ended up in the hospital because the infection has entered their bloodstream. Getting treatment as soon as possible can prevent this from happening!

What Can Be Done?

If you suspect that you have a tooth or gum infection, schedule an appointment with your dentist as soon as possible. A gum infection could be indicative of gum disease and will need treatment to heal. A tooth infection will eventually become very painful and could even cause the need for your tooth to be extracted.

The good news is that seeking help sooner rather than later can save your smile. These infections do not go away on their own and need the care of a professional dentist to get better. Often, the treatment is painless and your smile can be saved.

Never assume that an infection will go away. Symptoms of a tooth or gum infection include pain or swelling, a bad taste in your mouth, constant bad breath, redness, or bleeding. A simple dentist visit can tell you if you have an infection that needs treatment. Don’t wait to seek help—save your smile by getting a checkup today!

The post Can Gum and Tooth Infections Go Away on Their Own? appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

Garlic

One reliable treatment for oral pain is garlic. Garlic is especially helpful for tooth abscesses. Garlic can inhibit the growth of bacteria, thus easing the pain of the infection. You can put one or two cloves in your mouth and chew them. You can also create a paste by mashing a clove and adding a little salt. This treatment of using garlic for tooth abscess is effective, but it is also unpleasant for people who dislike the smell and taste of garlic. Don’t be surprised if you have to put up with a few vampire jokes.

Warm Salt Water

Warm salt water helps pain all around the mouth. It is especially useful for cavities because it slows decay. For the best results, mix one-half teaspoon of salt and eight ounces of warm water. Swish it around your mouth, focusing on the area where the pain is worst. After about thirty minutes, spit the water out. Do not swallow the salt water as that may make you sick to your stomach. Remember that the water should be warm so that it soothes and relieves, not so hot that it burns the inside of your mouth.

Clove Oil

Clove oil is a remedy that numbs pain for about thirty minutes. You can wash your hands, stick your clean finger in the clove oil, and gently rub it into the sore area. You can also soak some cotton balls in the oil and place the cotton balls into your mouth until you feel the sore spot start to go numb.

Hydrogen Peroxide

Hydrogen peroxide works best if the pain is the result of a bacterial infection. It doesn't just wash the bacteria away like some remedies – it attacks it and kills it. To treat oral pain, buy a three percent solution. Swish the solution around in your mouth for about thirty seconds. Then spit out the solution and rinse your mouth thoroughly with water. Do not repeat the treatment more than two times in 24 hours.

Ice

An ice pack is one of the easiest ways to ease an aching tooth, though its effects are short lasting. The best method is to put a cube of ice in a plastic bag. You may want to crush the cube so you don’t have to endure sharp edges. Wrap a piece of thin cloth around the plastic bag. Press the ice against the hurting tooth for about 15 minutes until the numbness sets in. Alternatively, press the ice pack against your cheek. You can repeat this treatment as often as you need to.

Bourbon

Bourbon, like any other kind of alcohol can cause temporary numbness. Pour a small amount of bourbon onto a cotton ball and place it against your hurting tooth. The relief lasts only until the alcohol evaporates. This absolutely is not a remedy for babies or young children. Even the smallest amount of alcohol can lead to nausea, vomiting and seizures. Of course, it's also never a good idea to dry to drink away your misery. Drinking alcohol does not decrease the pain and drinking too much can lead to addiction and other illnesses.

Conclusion

A toothache can make you absolutely miserable. It often disrupts sleep and causes problems at work as well. Of course, the best thing to do is to see a dentist right away. Most dentists are willing to squeeze you in for emergency care. Until you can see your dentist, thought, the remedies described above can help soothe your teeth and gums.

Author Mike Jones is passionate about natural living and alternative treatments. Mike tries to find new ways to treat himself with herbs and plants.

The post Natural Remedies to Help Soothe a Toothache appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

This is a pain around the tooth, inside the tooth or along the nerves.

Potential Causes of Toothaches

There are many things that can cause a toothache, and variables such had dietary habits, trauma and adherence to regular dental care and oral health can all play a part in causing tooth decay, damage and/or pain. Some might be simple in nature and only require a warm compress on the side of the mouth to feel better. There are other reasons which can be more severe and that need to be examined by a dentist in order to be correctly diagnosed and fixed before the condition gets worse.

Tooth decay is the most common reason for a toothache. This is when bacteria sits on the tooth, eating away at the enamel. It can be on any area of the tooth. Left untreated, it will form a cavity that will need to be filled. If the cavity does not get treated, this can increase tooth sensitivity and you might experience pain when eating hot or cold foods if the nerves are exposed. An abscessed tooth is one that has an infection. It is important to get antibiotics for this because the infection can damage the tooth further if left untreated. The infection can also get in the bloodstream, leading to other health concerns.

A fracture on the tooth can cause a severe amount of pain. There are times when you can fracture a tooth and not know about it because there isn’t any pain, or the fracture may not be visible to the naked eye or perhaps you do not immediate feel any pain when the nerve is not exposed.  The pain accompanying a tooth fracture can often be sharp, intense and occur during the act of biting or with release of biting pressure. However, if a tooth is knocked out from falling or being hit, as this could result in direct exposure and damage to the tooth nerves, there is a high probability that you will be in pain until the tooth is repaired or replaced.

If a filling comes out of the tooth or it is damaged, you might have pain in that area. While at the dental office, the dentist removes the decayed part of the tooth in order to get rid of the cavity before the tooth is filled. If that filling gets damaged or comes out, the area of the tooth near the roots and nerves can be exposed, increasingly the likelihood of pain an discomfort. You’ll need to go see your dentist to get the filling repaired as soon as possible.

[media-credit name=”bill wells” align=”alignleft” width=”350″][/media-credit]Grinding ones teeth can also lead to pain. The wearing down of teeth can lead to an uneven bite, exposure of more of the tooth and other damage that can lead to discomfort and pain. This can be prevented by wearing a mouth guard at night. Other causes of tooth pain include chewing on the same side of the mouth, chewing gum on a regular basis and other repetitive motions dealing with the mouth and teeth.

The diagnosis of toothache can be challenging, and only from an examination from your dentist can the source of a toothache be identified down to a specific tooth, teeth, or a non-dental cause.

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