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Whether you experience chronic tooth pain that never goes away or brief stabs of pain when biting or chewing, oral discomfort can make it difficult to eat or clean the teeth. To restore your oral comfort and function, it is important to undergo a dental exam so the cause of your tooth pain can be diagnosed. At Advanced Dental Health, Dr. Todd Holton can identify the source of your dental pain and then recommend the appropriate restorative dentistry treatments to alleviate discomfort and improve your oral health. To learn more about the most common causes of tooth pain, read on, and then contact our Phoenix, TX practice.

Enamel Erosion

Enamel erosion refers to the wearing of tooth enamel, the outer, protective layer of the teeth. As tooth enamel wears, the nerves of the teeth become exposed, increasing tooth sensitivity. Patients with enamel erosion may experience discomfort when eating or drinking hot or cold foods. In most cases of enamel erosion, we recommend that patients use a soft-bristled toothbrush and sensitive formula toothpaste when brushing the teeth.

Cavities or Root Canal Infections

When cavities first develop, they often do not result in any painful symptoms. However, as cavities progress and tooth decay infects the deeper structures of the teeth, patients may experience pain in a single tooth. By the time the bacteria reach the root canals of the teeth, patients typically experience noticeable discomfort. Left untreated, cavities and root canal infections can also result in painful abscesses. To eliminate discomfort, we may recommend a filling or crown, in addition to root canal therapy.

Recent Restorative Treatment

If you have recently had a filling or crown placed, the affected tooth may experience some sensitivity when biting down or chewing. This is normal for a few days after treatment. To reduce tooth pain, we recommend taking an over-the-counter pain reliever and the consumption of soft foods for a couple of days after treatment.

Bruxism or TMJ Disorder

Bruxism refers to chronic teeth grinding, which can put excess pressure on the teeth. Temporomandibular (TMJ) disorder refers to an inflamed or misaligned jaw, which can also put excess pressure on certain teeth. Both of these conditions can result in oral discomfort, particularly affecting the molars upon waking up. To treat these conditions, we may recommend the use of a custom mouth guard.

A Loose Filling

A loose filling can expose the nerves of the teeth, causing pain when consuming hot or cold foods and drinks or when biting down. If you have a loose filling, we will remove it, and place a new, tooth-colored filling.

Exposed Roots

The roots of the teeth are not covered by protective tooth enamel. Instead, the tooth roots are protected by the gums. If the gums recede, whether due to gum disease, bruxism, or aggressive toothbrushing, patients may experience increased tooth sensitivity when eating or drinking or cleaning the teeth.

To have the cause of your tooth pain diagnosed, contact Advanced Dental Healthy today.