Dental pain
Understanding dental pain: causes and effective treatments
What causes dental pain, from tooth decay and wisdom teeth to gum disease and bruxism, the treatments that relieve it, and the daily habits that help prevent it.
Dental pain can be debilitating and disrupt daily life. At Align Dental Surgery, we offer a range of treatments and procedures to relieve pain affecting the teeth, gums and jaw.
Getting relief from dental pain
Dental pain has many possible causes, and effective treatment depends on identifying the right one. A dental assessment can pinpoint the cause so the pain can be treated at its source.
Pain in the teeth, gums or jaw
Pain can arise in the teeth, the gums or the jaw. The sections below set out the common causes, the treatments that relieve them and the everyday habits that help prevent dental pain.
What causes dental pain
There can be various causes of dental pain. Identifying the root cause is essential to provide effective treatment.
Common causes
- Tooth decay: this is one of the primary causes of toothache. Bacteria in plaque feed on sugars from food and produce acids that erode the tooth enamel. Severe decay can cause intense pain, often worse at night, as the bacteria reach the nerve and trigger inflammation, which usually signals that root canal treatment is needed.
- Cracked tooth syndrome: a crack or fracture too small to see with the naked eye. It can cause sharp pain when chewing, especially hard foods, and sometimes with hot or cold food and drinks.
- Wisdom tooth: the last molars at the back of the mouth, usually emerging between the ages of 17 and 21. They can cause pain when there is not enough room in the jaw for them to come through correctly, and extraction may be needed.
- Gum disease: plaque and tartar build-up can lead to gingivitis, which in its early stages may cause only mild discomfort. Untreated, it can progress to periodontitis, where the gums recede and expose sensitive nerves, and in advanced stages can lead to gum recession, bone loss and tooth loss.
- Dental abscess: a pocket of pus inside the tooth or in the gums caused by a bacterial infection. It can cause severe throbbing pain and swelling and often needs emergency treatment.
- Teeth grinding (bruxism): clenching or grinding, particularly at night, can cause jaw pain and headaches. Over time it can lead to tooth fractures and damage to the temporomandibular joint (TMJ).
Treatments for dental pain
The treatment we recommend depends on the underlying cause of the pain.
Treatment options
- Dental fillings: for mild to moderate tooth decay, the cavity is cleaned and filled with a suitable material such as composite resin or amalgam.
- Scaling and root planing: when gum disease is causing the pain, plaque and tartar are removed from the teeth and roots.
- Wisdom tooth surgery: teeth causing pain or other complications may be extracted to prevent future problems. The procedure is usually done under anaesthesia, with post-operative care to support recovery.
- Gum treatment: advanced gum disease may need surgical procedures such as flap surgery or bone and tissue grafts.
- Root canal treatment: when decay reaches the pulp, the innermost layer of the tooth, it can cause severe pain. The infected tissue is removed to save the tooth.
- Tooth extraction: a tooth that is severely damaged or cannot be saved by other treatments may be removed, using modern techniques and anaesthesia to keep the procedure as comfortable as possible.
- Mouthguards: for bruxism, a custom-made mouthguard protects the teeth from damage caused by grinding and clenching.
Preventing dental pain
Prevention is better than cure. A few everyday habits help you avoid most dental pain.
Habits that help
- Maintain good oral hygiene: brush twice a day, floss daily and visit the dentist regularly to prevent most dental issues.
- Limit sugary foods and drinks to help prevent tooth decay.
- Wear a mouthguard during contact sports to protect your teeth from injury.
Make a dental appointment
Dental pain can be severe and affect your daily life. At Align Dental Surgery, our dentists Dr Alexia Kwan, Dr Krushna Reddy and Dr Priyanji De Silva provide treatment for the full range of dental pain. Book an appointment to have your pain assessed and treated.
About the author
Dr Krushna Reddy is an experienced dentist with a focus on pain management, dental implants and root canal treatment. She holds a Master's degree in Pain Management from the University of Wales, UK, and has over 20 years of experience placing and restoring implants. She uses microscopes for precise root canal treatments.
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