5 Common Causes of Dental Pain and How a Dentist Can Help with Pain Relief

Tooth pain often strikes unexpectedly, disrupting your busy schedule! Whether you’re feeling throbbing pain or a dull ache, a toothache needs attention to resolve its underlying cause. At The Bell Dental Group in Alexandria, Virginia, all tooth pain is a cause for concern. Dr. Alonzo Bell and our team will evaluate your tooth, uncover the source of your pain, and recommend the appropriate treatment to restore your oral health. 

The following are some of the most common causes of dental pain and what we can do to provide pain relief:

1. Decay 

Decay is the main culprit behind tooth pain. Decay is often the result of plaque and tartar buildup on your teeth due to poor oral care. Over time, plaque will eat away at your tooth enamel, causing small holes or cavities. Decay that infiltrates the inner layers of your tooth can infect the blood vessels and nerves, triggering pain. Cavity treatment will relieve your pain and restore your tooth. Dr. Bell treats decay with composite resin fillings. A filling will protect your tooth from future infection and restore it to like new.

2. Periodontal Disease 

Periodontal disease is a severe gum infection that can cause inflammation, bleeding gums, and pain.  Over time, the infection causes your gums to recede and detach from your teeth, resulting in your teeth coming loose.  Untreated periodontal disease is one of the main causes of premature tooth loss in adults. Scaling and root planing, laser treatments, antibiotics, and gum surgery are some treatments used to relieve pain and manage periodontal disease symptoms.

3. Abscessed Tooth 

A dental abscess is a pocket of pus that forms around an infected tooth. This condition is extremely painful and potentially dangerous, as the infection can spread throughout your body. Severe tooth pain, swollen gums, and fever are common symptoms of an abscessed tooth. Draining the abscess will relieve pressure and pain. Antibiotics will help manage the infection. If the infection has damaged the pulp of your tooth, Dr. Bell will perform a root canal to remove it. In extremely severe cases, we may have to extract your tooth.

4. Dental Trauma 

Accidents that result in a fractured, broken, or knocked-out tooth are another cause of pain. Dr. Bell offers same-day dental emergency care to ease your pain and restore your tooth. Structural damage to a tooth can often be repaired with a dental crown. If you act quickly to see your emergency dentist, we can reattach a knocked-out tooth to preserve your smile. 

5. Bruxism 

Nighttime bruxism, also known as teeth grinding, can erode tooth enamel, causing sensitivity and pain. It can also lead to tooth damage, painful chewing, frequent headaches, and TMJ. A night guard offers an easy remedy to ease the painful symptoms caused by bruxism. 

Where to Go for Dental Pain Relief Near Me

 Contact Dr. Alonzo Bell from The Bell Dental Group in Alexandria, VA, at (703) 783-4557 for prompt and effective toothache pain relief.

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