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October is Dental Hygiene Awareness Month
Severe Tooth and Mouth Pain
Any injury to the gums or teeth can be very painful. At other times, you may have dental pain and not know why. For example, sudden pain may be caused by pieces of food that come in contact with a decayed area of the tooth. Food, heat or cold may create pressure near the nerve and cause pain. The nerve inside the tooth also may be exposed if you lose a filling or crown. Dental pain can be the result of a cracked tooth. A cracked tooth can be the result of a fall or an injury to the face and teeth. A cracked tooth can also develop if you grind or clench your teeth.
Adults often can suffer from dentine sensitivity when they brush the side of the tooth too hard for many years. This causes a groove from tooth abrasion at the “neck” of the tooth by the gum line. Some people experience tooth erosion from the chronic use of acidic beverages and candies or even from acid reflux from the stomach into the mouth. Teeth with severe erosion can be very sensitive.
Pain that gets worse over time can also be caused by food that's stuck between your tooth and gum. If you don't brush and floss well, the bits of food remain. Bacteria multiply in this area, and an infection of the tooth and gum may develop. This type of infection is called an abscess. It can be at the root end of the tooth (in bone) or in the gums. An abscess can be a serious health problem if it is not treated.
What can you do if you notice tooth or mouth pain? First, call your dentist and make an appointment. In the meantime, here are a few steps you can take at home to try to relieve the pain:
Rinse your mouth with warm salt water every hour or so. Mix one-half teaspoon of salt in 8 ounces (1 cup) of water.
If the pain is caused by food stuck in a cavity, brushing and using dental floss in the area may remove it.
If you've lost a filling or crown, dip a cotton swab in clove oil and apply it to the exposed part of the tooth. You can buy clove oil in drugstores and supermarkets. You also can use a topical gel or liquid anesthetic, such as Anbesol, Hurricane or Orajel.
If you will be traveling in an airplane, the changes in pressure may make the pain worse. Try to get dental treatment before traveling by air.
Even when dental problems cause a lot of pain, the problems, and the treatments, often are relatively simple if you seek help right away. The first thing your dentist will do is take an X-ray. If you have a cavity, your dentist will remove the decayed part of the tooth and place a filling. Once the inner part of the tooth is protected, the pain will usually diminish and may go away completely. If your problem is related to pieces of food stuck under your gums, your dentist will remove the pieces. If you have an infection, you may be given a prescription for antibiotics.
Dental care is just as important as any other part of your body. If you notice tooth or mouth pain, contact your dentist for treatment options.
For more information on tooth and mouth pain, read here.
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