What causes tooth pain & gum pain?
Regardless of how bad the toothache hurts, you should always see a dentist as soon as possible to find the root of the problem. A strict oral hygiene regimen will typically stop toothaches or discomfort. However, there are numerous potential causes of tooth or gum pain, such as the following:
Cavity/Tooth Decay
Although cavities usually develop gradually, pain can strike suddenly. This should be addressed as soon as possible to avoid the spread of infection.
Grinding, Trauma or Injury
Whether you grind your teeth while sleeping and gradually wear them down, or you suffer an injury in a more immediate way, such as while playing sports, a fractured or damaged tooth can be extremely painful - don't ignore it. Your dentist may advise you to treat it with a filling, crown, or bonding.
Grinding may also cause tooth sensitivity issues. Ask your dentist for tips on how to break this harmful habit.
Wisdom Teeth
When wisdom teeth become impacted, they can cause significant pain due to the pressure they put on the surrounding teeth or infection. Impacted wisdom teeth can also cause tooth damage and crowding if there isn't enough space for them to erupt properly.
Abscessed Tooth
Bacterial infections can result in pus-filled pockets. This not only causes painful sensitivity, but it can also progress to a more serious, even life-threatening, condition.
Gum Disease
Gum disease (periodontal disease) can be mild (gingivitis) or severe (periodontal disease). In the early stages of gingivitis, your dentist may treat it with a procedure called scaling and root planing, which involves removing plaque buildup from the gum line.
For a more urgent case that’s progressed to severe gum disease, you may need a root canal, antibiotics, and/or surgery.
Other Potential Causes
We should note that some people experience temporary tooth sensitivity, which doesn’t necessarily indicate a serious problem.
Using toothpaste made for sensitive teeth may help. You should also attempt to avoid eating extremely hot or cold food and drinks until the sensitivity goes away.
If you notice ongoing sensitivity (for more than a couple of days), this may be cause for more serious concern, such as gum recession, and you should see your dentist.
There are times when the source of your tooth pain lies outside of your mouth. Symptoms similar to a toothache can be caused by viral or sinus infections, vitamin deficiencies, headaches, or colds.
However, it’s still worth it to schedule an appointment with your dentist as ignoring or misdiagnosing the pain yourself could lead to serious issues. Most dental pain won’t stop on its own and should be assessed by your dentist.
What Helps Tooth Pain?
If you are wondering how to relieve tooth pain, the first and most obvious answer is to make an appointment with your dentist so that the issue can be diagnosed and treated.
In the meantime, you can try a few home remedies for tooth pain. To relieve pain and inflammation, apply an ice pack or take an over-the-counter pain reliever. A saltwater rinse can also help soothe and relieve tooth pain in some cases.