Understanding the Different Types of Dental Pain
There are many things that can cause dental pain, but the pain is unique for each type of dental issue. Here are some hints that dental pain can provide as to what might be going wrong in the mouth.
- Cracked tooth pain – If a tooth is cracked, the main differentiator from other dental issues is that the pain occurs when biting down on the tooth and the pain is very short lived. In addition to pain from biting, there is also tooth sensitivity to cold.
- Dental abscess pain – The pain from a dental abscess is very different from that of a cracked tooth. Unlike a the short-lived pain of a cracked tooth, the pain from a dental abscess is lingering. Another difference is that the site of the abscess is sensitive to heat as opposed to cold. A dental abscess can lead to life-threatening complications and should be addressed as soon as possible.
- Nerve exposure pain – If there has been excessive gum recession or tooth decay leading to nerve exposure, the pain can be slightly similar to a cracked tooth, but it’s still different in a unique way. While both nerve exposure and a cracked tooth lead to sensitivity to cold, there isn’t the short lived pain that comes from a cracked tooth. Additionally pain from decay and gum recession can sometimes come from sensitivity to sweet.
- TMJ pain – TMJ pain should be pretty distinct from all other forms of dental pain since it takes place in the jaw and might be associated with the jaw locking up, reducing mobility of the mouth. TMJ pain can be quite challenging to treat and many dentist refer TMJ pain patients to TMJ pain specialists like Dr. Paul Mathew.
One thing to keep in mind is that the pain doesn’t always present itself exactly at the site of the dental issue. A dentist can run different types of tests to determine where the pain is coming from. For example, a dentist may apply a local anesthetic at the site of the pain and see if the pain goes away or if the pain is actually originating from another place in the mouth.
If you are suffering from dental pain, it’s best to see a dentist as soon as possible in order to avoid complications. If you live near Salem, NH and are suffering from dental pain, don’t hesitate to book a dental appointment with Dr. Paul Mathew.