Thousands of Americans experience tooth pain, which could be caused by a variety of reasons. It’s important for individuals to monitor how long the pain lasts and to understand the potential causes in order to apply adequate treatment.

What Causes Tooth Pain?

Some tooth pain derives from dental decay, an injury, or an infection in the tooth. There are different types of common pain symptoms that individuals experience that could go away on their own or that may require professional treatment. Here are a few common symptoms:

• Temporary sensitivity to hot or cold foods – this may not be an alarming issue unless the discomfort lasts for an extensive amount of time. The pain could be caused by minor decay, loose filling, or gum recession. To help relieve discomfort, individuals could try brushing with a soft or extra-soft brush in an up-and-down motion, which wears away the part of the roof surfaces that are exposed. If the pain continues, individuals must follow up with their dentist for further treatment.
• Temporary sensitivity to different temperatures after dental treatment – there are some individuals whose pulp becomes inflamed after dental work, which causes temporary discomfort. If the problem continues or worsens after two to four weeks, then they must return back to their dentist for further assessment.
• Sharp pain when biting – this may be caused by dental decay, loose filling, or a crack in the tooth. There’s also a chance that the pulp tissue could be damaged. This issue has to be examined by a dentist who may refer individuals to an endodontist if the pulp tissue is in fact damaged. The endodontist may perform a root canal to clean out the damaged pulp and filling.
• Pain that lingers for more than 30 seconds after eating hot or cold foods – individuals suffering from this issue may have pulp that has been permanently damaged by tooth decay and/or physical trauma. Individuals experiencing this pain must follow up with a dentist or endodontist for a possible root canal, which could save the tooth.
• Severe pain, pressure, gum swelling, and sensitivity to touch – this means a tooth may be abscessed, which causes an infection to the surrounding tissue and bone. Individuals suffering from this issue can take over-the-counter medication until they’re able to schedule an appointment with their dentist.
• Ache and pressure in upper teeth and jaw – whenever individuals grind their teeth, which is also known as bruxism, it could result in this type of pain. Those suffering from bruxism must be treated by their dentist.

How to Relieve Pain Before an Appointment

Sometimes it may be a few days or weeks before individuals are able to see their dentist. To manage some of the pain until then, individuals can try rinsing their mouth with warm water, flossing, taking over-the-counter medicine, or applying a cold compress to the outside of the cheek.

At McBride Dental, we help our clients discover the root of their tooth pain and treat them accordingly.

San Diego General and Family Dentistry

At McBride Dental, we offer a number of general and family dentistry services to help our clients with their individual needs, including ongoing tooth pain. We offer x-rays, deep cleanings, gum disease treatment, dental sealants, and more, to help relieve and prevent tooth pain from reoccurring in the future. Our ultimate goal is to help our clients maintain a comfortable, healthy smile that they can be proud of. If you are in the San Diego area and are experiencing tooth pain, call 760-471-1003 to schedule an appoint today.