If you have ever had the unfortunate circumstance of dealing with a toothache, then you know that it is not a fun time. How can one little tooth be causing so much pain?
Causes of Dental Pain
There are many different issues that can be attributed to causing tooth pain, but the root cause often stems from inflammation of the pulp of the tooth, where many nerve endings are located. Things such as cavities, infections, or trauma can be attributed to being the cause of the inflammation. Pain in the mouth can also be coming from other areas and can simply appear to be a regular toothache.
The growth of wisdom teeth, particularly when they are impacted, is a very common cause of dental pain in adolescents. When wisdom teeth are growing sideways, they push on the adjacent teeth, causing some radiating pain to be felt in the mouth that usually requires an extraction for relief. Some people are lucky and go their whole lives without their wisdom teeth ever bothering them.
Temporomandibular joint disorder, often referred to as TMJ for short, is another common cause of pain in the jaw joint and in the surrounding muscles that control your jaw’s movement. While there are solutions to treating TMJ that are non-invasive, surgery may be required for more severe cases.
Maintaining Your Oral Health
Sometimes dental issues can be out of a person’s control, but there are solutions to help prevent it as best as possible. Keeping up with good oral hygiene practices, such as brushing and flossing your teeth regularly can go a long way in saving your teeth from any form of long-term decay or future need for extraction. In addition, scheduling a cleaning or check-up at least twice a year with your dentist helps keep track of how your oral health is doing.
Bad habits such as smoking and other drug consumption can substantially increase the chances of oral health problems arising at some point in your life. Increased use can cause things such as ulcers and sores in the mouth, as well as a loss of blood flow to your roots and gums.
Dental Extractions
While dental pain can subside on its own, some cases require further treatment. Your general dentist may recommend a filling or root canal for a damaged tooth, but there are some instances where neither solves the problem. Dental extraction is typically done as a last resort when it’s determined that a tooth cannot be saved. Removing the tooth will alleviate the pain once the extraction site has healed and can prevent further discomfort from any infection that would have continued to spread if the tooth were to have remained in its place.
At St Luke’s OMS, our surgeons see patients in need of dental extractions every day. We pride ourselves in being committed to delivering the best care possible and making sure that our patients are comfortable and well-informed throughout the whole process. Whether it’s for a single tooth extraction or a full mouth extraction appointment, you are in great hands with us at St Luke’s OMS.
