13 Oct Does Gum Disease Cause Tooth Pain?
Gum disease doesn’t just affect the gums. When left untreated, gum disease can cause many problems with your teeth, including tooth pain and tooth loss. At Prescott Dentistry, we offer treatment for gingivitis and gum disease in all of its various stages. We can help you determine whether your toothache is from gum disease or a different dental problem. Let’s take a look at how gum disease causes tooth pain and how it affects your teeth.
What Causes Gum Disease?
Periodontitis, aka gum disease, is a bacterial infection that is most commonly caused by poor oral hygiene. When plaque builds up on the teeth, the bacteria living in it attack the teeth and gums, causing cavities, gum inflammation, and infections.
However, there are also many other factors that can increase your risk of gum disease, such as:
- Smoking
- Aging
- Genetics
- Inflammatory diseases like diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis
- Medications that cause dry mouth
- Grinding your teeth
- Poor diet
Does Gum Disease Cause Tooth Pain?
The first stage of gum disease, gingivitis, causes tender, bleeding gums but typically does not cause toothaches. However, without treatment, the infection can spread to the jaw bones and the connective tissues that support the teeth, which makes gum disease feel a lot like a toothache.
The later stages of gum disease, from early to advanced periodontitis, can cause nerve pain and tooth sensitivity if the roots of your teeth are affected. Eventually, when the gums pull far enough away from the teeth and the jaw bone becomes infected, gum disease can also cause loose teeth and tooth loss.
Is Gum Disease Causing Your Toothache?
Gum disease may be responsible for your tooth pain. If you have a toothache along with any of the following symptoms, it could be gum disease.
Symptoms of gum disease include:
- Red, swollen, tender gums
- Gums that bleed when brushing and flossing
- Receding gums
- Exposed tooth roots
- Pockets between the teeth and gums
- Halitosis (bad breath) that doesn’t go away
- Teeth that feel loose
If you notice any signs of gum disease, it’s essential that you see your dentist right away. Gingivitis can often be cured with a professional teeth cleaning. However, periodontitis and its effects, like gum recession and tooth loss, are irreversible. Early intervention is the best way to save your teeth and gums.
How to Prevent Gum Disease
If your dentist determines that gum disease is the cause of your toothache, you can prevent it from returning with good oral hygiene habits. Make sure to brush your teeth twice a day, floss once a day, and get your teeth cleaned at the dentist at least twice a year.
Depending on the severity of your case, you might need more frequent teeth cleaning appointments to keep gum disease under control. Your dentist may also recommend additional at-home treatments like a Himalayan salt rinse or dental probiotics to help keep your mouth healthy.
Gum Disease Treatment and Prevention in Prescott, Arizona
If you suspect that gum disease is the cause of your tooth pain, please don’t hesitate to give Prescott Dentistry a call. We’ll identify the source of your toothache and discuss your treatment options. We offer a wide range of holistic, preventative treatments to treat gum disease and other causes of toothaches. Call 928-445-1660 today to schedule an appointment.
Images used under creative commons license – commercial use (10/13/2022). Photo by Omid Armin on Unsplash