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Severe Tooth Pain

The team at John Martin Dental & Associates provides premium care to patients throughout the Great St. Louis Area. We have offices in Gerald and Maryland Heights--you can get in touch with us at 314-739-1222 for our Maryland Heights office or 573-764-2425 for Gerard.

Severe tooth pain is often an unexpected, sharp feeling that is usually related to an underlying issue. Our team can you help you identify causes and offer preventative measures that help you get your mouth health back on track. Don't hesitate to contact our team today to learn more about how we can help.

Severe Tooth Pain Dentist in St. Louis, MO

What Causes Severe Tooth Pain?

Severe tooth pain can be a distressing and debilitating condition that is often caused by various dental or oral health problems. Some common causes of severe tooth pain include:

Tooth Decay: Tooth decay, or dental caries, is one of the most common causes of tooth pain. When bacteria is in your mouth, it produces acids that eat away at the enamel, it can lead to cavities and severe pain if left untreated.
Gum Disease: Periodontal disease, such as gingivitis or periodontitis, can cause tooth pain, especially if it has advanced to the point of affecting the supporting structures of the teeth.
Dental Abscess: An abscess is a pocket of pus that can form at the root of a tooth or between the tooth and gum. It can cause intense, throbbing pain and often requires immediate dental treatment.
Tooth Fracture: A cracked or fractured tooth can expose the sensitive inner tissues (dental pulp), resulting in severe pain, especially when chewing or consuming hot/cold beverages.
Tooth Sensitivity: Tooth sensitivity can cause sharp, shooting pain when you consume hot, cold, sweet, or acidic foods or beverages. This condition is often related to exposed dentin or receding gums.
Impacted Wisdom Teeth: Wisdom teeth that do not have enough space to properly emerge can become impacted, causing pain, inflammation, and infection.
Dental Procedures: Severe tooth pain can sometimes be a side effect of dental procedures like root canals or extractions, but this is usually temporary and should improve as the healing process progresses.

If you are experiencing severe tooth pain, it's crucial to see a dentist as soon as possible. Ignoring dental pain can lead to further complications and worsen the underlying issue. Your dentist will perform a thorough examination, possibly take X-rays, and recommend appropriate treatment, which may include dental fillings, root canals, extractions, or other interventions to alleviate the pain and address the underlying problem.

In the meantime, over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen and acetaminophen can help manage the pain, but they do not replace the need for professional dental care. Contact our team now to learn more about treating and managing severe tooth pains and aches. Call us at 314-739-1222 for our Maryland Heights office or 573-764-2425 for our Gerard location.

In addition to providing leading chipped tooth repair in the St. Louis area, Dr. John Martin and the skilled staff of dentists at Martin Dental & Associates offer services in these areas:

Our St. Louis-area patients also have access to a wide range of other dental procedures, including:

Ways to Prevent Severe Tooth & Gum Pain

While genetics plays a role, there are a few techniques and habits that are important for preventitive tooth care and pain. See below for more information:

It's important to brush your teeth more than once per day for at least two minutes. This habit can prevent long-term gum and tooth decay--which can later turn into severe tooth pain.
Floss at least once a day to get rid of any food particles and developing plaque. A toothbrush might not be as effective in certain parts of your mouth.
Antimicrobial or flouride-based mouthwash is an easy way to counter plaque buildup and gum disease. It also helps remove bacteria and strengthen tooth enamel.
Diet is another important component to tooth health. What you eat, drink, smoke, or chew can have a long-term effect on mouth health.
Wisdom teeth are a major concern for any young adult or teenager. Wisdom teeth come in "late" and cause severe inflammation, infection, and other problems related to your jaw.
Tooth sensitivity is related to exposed dentin, receding gums, and other health conditions that cause sharp, shooting pain when you eat or consume anything that's sweet, acidic, hot, or cold.
A fractured tooth is at risk for sharp spikes in pain. Fractured expose sensitive inner tissues (also known as dental pulp) that often result in severe pain when you're eating or drinking.
Gum disease is a major concern. Periodontal diseases like gingivitis or periodontitis can cause extremely severe tooth pain and can be avoided with good gum, tooth, and health care.

Learn more about tooth decay and severe tooth pain and aches online or contact John Martin Dental for more information today.