Tooth pain can be a debilitating experience, affecting your daily life and causing discomfort. Fortunately, there is a range of treatments available to help manage the pain.
What Causes Tooth Pain?
Tooth pain has a number of different causes. The most common are untreated cavities, tooth decay, and dental caries, which occur with plaque and tartar buildup. A toothache can also be the first sign of an abscessed tooth, in which bacteria enters through a crack or opening in the tooth and develops into a painful collection of pus. Other causes include periodontal disease and gingivitis, which include inflammation of the gums and can lead to plaque buildup, gum recession, and the loosening and loss of teeth.
How Should You Treat Tooth Pain?
Treatment for tooth pain depends largely on its cause. In milder cases, an over-the-counter pain reliever can help. If the cause is a cavity, your dentist will suggest quickly filling it. In the case of an abscess, treatment will likely involve antibiotics.
In more serious cases, like badly broken or infected teeth, treatment will likely include either a root canal to clean out the infection and seal the inside of the tooth, or the extraction (or “pulling”) of the tooth.
If you are experiencing tooth pain in the Gretna, LA, area, contact dentist Dr. Russell Schafer and the team at NOLA Dentures & General Dentistry for treatment options to put that pain in the past.