Ouch! What's Causing My Tooth Pain?

Tooth pain can disrupt everyday life and leave us in constant pain and discomfort. Fortunately, restorative dentistry treatments can repair dental damage, alleviating tooth pain and improving oral health. Learn more about the top causes of tooth pain in this overview from South Ogden, UT dentist Patrick Tanner.

The Top Causes of Tooth Pain

Tooth pain has many underlying causes, and in many cases can indicate a severe oral health issue. If you experience tooth pain, it's important to seek treatment to protect your oral health. Tooth pain may be caused by:

• Tooth decay: Tooth decay is caused when bacteria erode the protective layers of the teeth. If left untreated, decay can expose the inner structures of the tooth to bacteria, causing increased tooth sensitivity and pain.
• Enamel erosion: Enamel erosion can cause increased tooth sensitivity. Enamel erosion occurs from consuming acidic foods or drinks. It can also be caused teeth grinding or even from the friction of brushing the teeth too aggressively, using either too much pressure or hard-bristled toothbrushes.
• Root canal infection: Root canal infections are extremely painful infections of the tooth's pulp and nerve tissue. Root canal infections most commonly occur as a result of tooth decay, but they may also develop as a result of trauma or injury to the tooth. If left untreated, root canal infections can spread, creating abscesses around the tooth's roots.
• Dental fractures: Dental fractures can also cause tooth pain because they expose the inner structures of the tooth and increase the risk of tooth decay and root canal infections.
• Teeth grinding: Teeth grinding can lead to dental pain as a result of pressure on the teeth and jaws.
• Sinus headache: In some cases, tooth pain may not be caused by dental issues but rather by sinus headaches or sinus pressure. Tooth pain related to sinus issues is generally felt in the upper teeth and jaw.

Treatments to Alleviate Tooth Pain

Maintaining oral health is one of the most effective ways to prevent tooth pain. You can help prevent tooth pain by practicing good oral hygiene, like brushing twice a day, flossing once day, and seeing your dentist for regular checkups. However, if you experience tooth pain, it's important to seek treatment to prevent major oral health problems.

There are many treatments that can help alleviate tooth pain. Dr. Tanner will perform a thorough dental examination to pinpoint the cause of tooth pain and create the appropriate treatment plan, including such treatments as:

• Root canal therapy: Tooth pain caused by inflamed or infected pulp and nerve tissue can be relieved with root canal therapy. During root canal therapy, infected tissue is removed from the root canal, helping to alleviate tooth pain.
• Dental fillings: Dental fillings can repair and restore the health of teeth damaged by tooth decay.
• Dental crowns: Broken or severely damaged teeth may benefit from dental crown treatment. Dental crowns fit over damaged teeth to restore structure and functionality.
• Periodontal treatments: Periodontal treatments, like root planing and scaling, can restore gum health and alleviate dental pain.

Schedule a Consultation

For more information about the causes of tooth pain, or to discuss your personalized treatment plan, we encourage you to schedule a consultation with Dr. Tanner.