Dental pain can be caused by a many factors but is almost immediately recognized. Sometimes it may be a lingering sensation after eating something hot, cold, or sweet; other times it can be an intense throbbing pain; and still other times it can be a dull, sore ache. Whatever the feeling, patients want relief and they want relief now.

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Often patients in Illinios, and across the United States, are quick to run to the drugstore when they have pain in their mouth. While over the counter pain medication or topical ointments can relieve the symptoms, it’s important to also seek dental treatment. The pain is an indication that something is wrong inside your mouth and, unfortunately, dental problems typically do not heal on their own. Scheduling an appointment with a trusted dentist is the first step to ensuring that the pain goes away, and doesn’t come back.

  • Cavity: A cavity is a frequent and common dental problem for patients of all ages. Essentially a cavity is a weakened or damaged spot on the tooth caused by bacteria from food particles. Sometimes these cavities are detected during a regular checkup exam or x-ray and other times patients will notice tooth sensitivity first. The good news is that fixing the cavity, is a simple procedure that immediately corrects the problem in one visit.
  • Gum disease: If your gums are sore, inflamed, or bleeding it could be an early indication of gum disease. Contrary to popular belief, a little bit of “pink in the sink” when you brush is not normal. If you’ve noticed bleeding or if your gums are sore, call your dentist. Often gum disease can be treated with improvement of oral hygiene habits or prescription mouthwash. If the gum disease is very advanced it may need to be treated through deep cleaning, medication, or surgery. Like many dental problems, the earlier gum disease is caught the faster it can be treated.

Root canal: A root canal may be the most feared dental procedure. However, the pain that’s associated with a root canal is actually pain that occurs prior to walking into the dental office. The root canal procedure itself includes cleaning out the infected portion of the tooth, refilling the tooth to ensure that it is strong, and placing a dental cap. The tooth is numbed during the procedure and most patients feel relief very quickly.

Dr. Dean Dietrich of Pleasant Dental® has been helping his patients treat many dental issues. However, the best way to treat a problem is to prevent it. That’s why it’s critical to maintain good at-home oral health habits and make regular dental checkups a priority.

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