What produces tooth pain commonly referred to as jaw pain?
Whereas tooth decay is usually the main cause of tooth pain, it’s essential for you to have a comprehensive oral examination to resolve the cause. Further causes of tooth pain can include the following:
- An abnormal bite
- TMJ/TMD, Temporomandibular Joint Disorder, sinus and ear infections, jaw pain, and stress in the facial tissues can cause pain that relates to a toothache, but usually these health problems are characterized by a headache.
- Gum disease
- Tooth eruption (in babies and school-age children)
- Grinding teeth (bruxism)
- Infection
- Tooth trauma
Pain throughout the teeth and the jaws can be indications of heart disease such as angina. If Dr. Boatman or Dr. Spencer at Troy Family Dental presumes a medical ailment could be the reason of your toothache, he may refer you to a physician.
If you have a toothache or jaw pain, you may have a cavity or bad case of gum disease. The first hint of tooth decay may be the discomfort you sense when you eat anything sweet, really cold or very hot. If the pulp, the middle of the tooth that has tissue and nerves, has become irritated this can induce discomfort in your tooth or jaw.
What symptoms characterize a toothache?
Since the symptoms of a toothache can match other medical conditions or dental issues, it can be hard to diagnose the cause without a comprehensive evaluation by Dr. Boatman or Dr. Spencer. If you see pus near the origin of the pain, your tooth with the pain may have become abscessed, causing the neighboring bone to become infected. Or the pus could symbolize gum disease, which is normally identified by swelling of the soft tissue, bleeding gums and unusual loss of bone enclosing the teeth.
Please contact Dr. Richard Boatman or Dr. Spencer at Troy Family Dental at 618-667-8020 directly if you have any of these tooth pain symptoms:
- Fever
- Trouble breathing or swallowing
- Swelling throughout the tooth area
- Pain if you bite
- A foul-tasting secretion
- Constant lasting pain
How do I ease the pain if I cannot see a dentist?
Anybody with a toothache should consult a dentist at troy Family Dental at once for analysis and treatment of the affected tooth. If gone untreated, a toothache and the ailment that is creating it can worsen. Nevertheless, if you are incapable of scheduling an emergency appointment, the next self-care treatment can momentarily alleviate pain and swelling from tooth pain:
- Clean with lukewarm salt water
- Lightly floss teeth to remove any food particles caught between teeth.
- Use an over-the-counter pain reliever such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen to reduce pain.
- Never place aspirin or some other painkiller on the gums beside the aching tooth, as it can burn the gum tissue.
- Implement an over-the-counter cleanser containing benzocaine right to the irritated tooth and gum to momentarily relieve pain.
- If there has been some injury to the tooth, a cold pack may be applied on the outside of the cheek to reduce pain or swelling.
How can Dr. Boatman & Dr. Spencer help with my toothache or jaw pain?
Dr. Boatman and Dr. Spencer will perform a comprehensive oral examination to discover the location and condition of a toothache, scanning for signs of inflammation, redness, and visible tooth damage. He will also take x-rays to examine for evidence of tooth decay among teeth, a damaged or affected tooth or a disease of the underlying bone.
Dr. Boatman and Dr. Spencer also may prescribe pain medicine or antibiotics to promote the healing of your toothache. Whenever you come to see Dr. Boatman or Dr. Spencer and your tooth has become infected, then therapy could require extraction of the tooth or a root canal, which includes eliminating the damaged nerve tissue from the center of a tooth.
Can I prevent a toothache?
The solution to preventing toothaches is instituting a daily oral hygiene routine and holding to it. Failure to clean and floss frequently after meals can significantly heighten your risk of acquiring cavities, which can create toothaches.
Few tips to help decrease your risk for acquiring a toothache:
- Brush at a minimum of twice a day, after meals and snacks.
- Floss your teeth at a minimum of once a day to stop gum disease.
- Revisit Dr. Boatman or Dr. Spencer in the St. Louis Metro East Area regularly for oral exams and an expert cleaning.
