I’m no stranger to tooth pain. I’m a night time grinder and recently broke my mouth guard which means I’m without until my next appointment where I will have new moulds taken and a new one created – at a very large cost to me. But needs must – tooth pain is one of the most frustrating pains in the world. Wisdom teeth can often be another source of pain (I hated mine!) as can a number of different problems such as cavities. I’ve been quite lucky in that I haven’t suffered as much tooth pain in my life as others I know – I go straight to the dentist if I find pain – but when I do have it, its really horrible. Here are some tips on how to understand your tooth pain.
Sharp Toothache
A sharp tooth pain is usually concentrated to one area of the mouth and can occur when drinking or eating something especially hot, cold or sweet. The cause is often dental decay, but gum recession, abrasion and enamel thinning are also known to bring about sharp tooth pains.
In the long run, you will want to visit the dentist to fix the source of your sharp pain, but cavities or chipped teeth can be protected in the meantime by placing sugar free gum over the damage.
Intense and Radiating Pain
Intense aches often persist and radiate outwards to the eyes and temple. The cause is commonly an inflammation within a tooth’s pulp or an abscess. Most of the time, home remedies do nothing to ease the pain and waiting for the pain to subside or visiting the dentist is the only option.
One thing you can do to relieve the pain at home though is to apply an ice pack to the cheek or a hot water bottle.
Persistent Toothache
If you are experiencing a persistent, sharp tooth pain after eating or drinking, you may have damaged a nerve. The source of your initial pain may be similar to that of the previously mentioned sharp pain symptoms, but the persistent aspect may indicate nerve damage.
Avoiding pain triggers such as especially cold or hot drinks will help, as well as taking pain killers. Ultimately, the dentist should be consulted if any pain returns or persists.
Swollen Gum Pain
Swollen gums are a sign of infection and can cause pain due to the extra pressure put on nerves. Depending on the extent of swelling, some cases will require immediate attention from a dentist or local hospital.
The pain from swelling can be alleviated using over-the-counter numbing gels or mouthwashes. Slightly warm salt water as a rinse can also help.
Pain from Grinding Teeth
If you wake up in the morning with jaw pain, you may be grinding your teeth during the night. This can cause chronic or acute pain due to the extra strain on the jaw joint, as well as tooth sensitivity and cracks.
Your dentist will likely advise using a mouth-guard during the night to prevent this.
An Electric Shock
Teeth fillings can sometimes come into contact and produce what’s known as a Galvanic-shock, usually between a gold crown and metal filling. If you’re experiencing an unexplained shock now and then, this might be the cause.
Your dentist can provide some advice on preventing this in the future.