The worst pain of all is said to be toothache. Anyone can groan with pain when it appears suddenly, radiates and is acute. While many dental problems can be chronic and cause lasting discomfort, a few can be acute and cause immediate distress. Besides trapped food, bite injuries, heavy blows to the teeth and other acute causes, there are also chronic ones such as decay, inflamed gums and impacted teeth. Children and adults alike are affected by dental problems, though the intensity and the causes can differ. It is important to see a dentist as soon as possible to rule out the cause and prevent damage.
The five most common causes
When toothache turns up, it is like an uninvited guest that can cause a great deal of trouble. If you have ever had it, you know exactly how it feels; if not, you are among the lucky few. To minimise discomfort and prevent problems, it helps to know the main causes.
Decay
Decay is one of the most common and most obvious causes of dental discomfort. When it advances and reaches the inner layers of the tooth, the pulp begins to show signs of inflammation, which leads to throbbing pain. If you feel sensitivity, the decay can be removed, which eases the discomfort. A root canal treatment might be needed if the hole grows larger and swelling or a blackish discolouration appears.
Periodontitis
This is an aggressive condition that damages gums and teeth at the same time. When the gum recedes and exposes the tooth, movement, discomfort and severe sensitivity occur. Inflammation and swelling of the gum make chewing and speaking harder. Bone loss and other problems also arise, which can complicate the use of dentures, implants, bridges and other treatments for tooth loss. That is why it matters to attend to loose teeth and bone loss as soon as you notice the first signs of movement or receding gums.
An impacted tooth
An impacted tooth is one that does not develop or does not emerge from its socket, and it can lead to pockets, abscesses, swelling and so on. Since the wisdom teeth are the last to erupt, this kind of pain is frequently associated with them. If a wisdom tooth is blocked by the gum, the gum around it can become inflamed, which can hurt when eating or opening the mouth. Medication, gum treatments and mouthwashes can be effective against this kind of pain. If the discomfort worsens or keeps returning, however, your dentist might suggest either a gingivectomy or surgical removal of the gum tissue covering the tooth.
Trauma
Among the most common causes are trauma, injury or blows to the mouth. If a knocked-out or chipped tooth follows the trauma, you may need to go to the dentist immediately. If you keep the knocked-out tooth — immersed in milk or held in the mouth — and bring it to the dentist within 30 minutes of the incident, the tooth can be put back into its socket. If the tooth is chipped, on the other hand, your dentist can restore it with a root canal treatment followed by a crown.
Occlusal trauma
Long-lasting dental discomfort of this kind is caused by a faulty bite. Malocclusions, which cause a range of dental, bone and muscle complaints, are probably inherited. Constant pain can arise when eating or even at rest, for example when the upper teeth sit inside the lower ones or the teeth have a crossbite. Teeth grinding against one another can even lead to wear and discomfort. Talk to your dentist about your bite and consider orthodontic treatment to relieve this pain.
Turn to professionals
There are various causes of dental discomfort. Both a hard sweet and a popcorn kernel can give you toothache. The good news is that when an experienced dentist takes care of your oral health, many of these problems can be treated and avoided.
Conclusion
Zahnchirurgie Köln has first-hand experience of treating a wide variety of dental conditions with good results. Thanks to state-of-the-art instruments and technology, the team is able to treat both acute and chronic problems. Braces, aligners, fillings, crowns, wisdom tooth removal and other aesthetic procedures are among the therapies available. Arrange a consultation with us now to learn more.
