Understanding Tooth Pain
Hello, I'm Dr. Priya Mathew from MVP Family Dental, and I'm here to talk about tooth pain. Hopefully, I can answer some of your questions about tooth pain today.
What are the most common dental reasons for tooth pain?
Some of the most common reasons for dental tooth pain could be gum disease, gum problems, infection in the gums, infection in the teeth, or larger cavities that are affecting the nerve. These are many reasons you could have tooth pain.
What are some common non-dental reasons for tooth pain?
Some people can have non-dental reasons for tooth pain, including sinus infections and trigeminal neuralgia, which affects the nerves on the side of your face. It can sometimes feel like tooth pain, but it's not. There can also be TMJ issues with the joint, caused by clenching and grinding, which is somewhat dental, but not related to the teeth themselves.
Why might I be experiencing a consistent dull toothache?
You might be experiencing a consistent dull toothache from a large cavity that is getting close to the nerve because the bacteria is moving toward the nerve and causing the pain. You can also have a dull toothache from food impaction, such as food stuck between your teeth for a long period of time, or sometimes behind your most posterior tooth, like your wisdom tooth. People sometimes get irritation and inflammation on the gum back there, which can also hurt.
Is it normal to experience tooth pain after some dental procedures?
It is normal to feel some tooth pain or sensitivity after dental procedures. You could think of it as a little surgery on your tooth. If you're going to get stitches, it's probably going to hurt anywhere on your body. It's similar for dental procedures. If we're going to fill your tooth, you might not always feel fine immediately after, but sometimes you will experience a little bit of sensitivity, which can be totally normal. You just have to give it some time to heal.
What can I do at home to alleviate tooth pain?
At home, if you have tooth pain and want to alleviate it, you can take Tylenol or Motrin, and you can interchange them every 4 to 6 hours as long as you're able to take those with your health conditions. Some people use cloves, tea tree oil, thyme tea bags, and saltwater rinses. If it's a sore, you can stay away from spicy foods. For gum issues, make sure to call your dentist.
You can schedule an appointment at MVP Family Dental as soon as today. Call us at (252) 616-9444, or schedule below! Our staff would love to talk with you.