How a General Dentist Treats Tooth Pain

While tooth pain can vary in severity and sensation, general dentists can determine the source, provide treatment, and ensure the patient has everything they need to maintain their oral health. The causes of tooth pain can vary and often result in patients trying to treat it by themselves. However, when the pain is consistent, the patient should seek professional care. While it can sometimes happen suddenly and other times gradually, it is important to seek care when you first notice it.

What to expect when visiting a general dentist

General dentists are typically who adult patients see for their biannual checkups and if a problem occurs between appointments, such as tooth pain or sensitivity. Considering tooth pain can result from various factors, the dentist must determine its source and how badly the tooth is damaged. Therefore, they will perform a physical examination and order X-rays. Both will enable the dentist to see if a cavity, fracture, or disease is present.

Tooth pain treatments

Following the evaluation, the dentist can better see the root of the issue and craft a treatment plan. One's treatment may involve:

Decay removal

A cavity is a result of decay being present in the tooth, no matter the amount. However, if small, it may not cause any pain. The problem is that once decay is present in the tooth, it only worsens without treatment, eventually leading to pain, chronic bad breath, and, in extreme cases, loss.

Therefore, the general dentist will assess whether the decay has reached the tooth's root or the pulp chamber, which houses the nerves and connective tissue. If so, they will perform a root canal, which empties the pulp chamber and replaces it with a material called gutta-percha. If it has not, the patient is likely only experiencing tooth sensitivity when eating, and they will manually remove the decay and apply a filling or a dental crown or cap.

Repairing a cracked filling or crown

Patients who had a crown or filling as a result of a previous cavity may experience it cracking or falling out over time. This makes the natural tooth, which still has a hole or shaved layers, vulnerable once again. Therefore, they will reapply the filling or replace the crown. With proper care, fillings can last between 10 and 15 years, while dental crowns can last up to 30 years.

Repairing a fracture

Some fractures, namely craze lines, are only surface-level and cause no pain, and most of the time, go unnoticed. However, others, such as vertical root fractures, fractured cusps, split teeth, and cracked teeth, can cause extreme amounts of pain. Therefore, the general dentist will likely remove the portion that is loose and apply a dental or crown, or if deemed unsalvageable, perform a tooth extraction and recommend a replacement option.

Treating gum disease

Gum disease is a serious infection of the gum tissue surrounding the teeth. It can cause the gums and underlying jawbone to deteriorate. This can expose the tooth's roots and mobilize the entire tooth, making it difficult to speak, eat, and drink. If not corrected, it can lead to periodontitis, which can affect the entire mouth and cause loss of all teeth, chronic bad breath, and even pus accumulating in the gums.

Depending on its stage, the general dentist can treat it using antibiotics, root scaling, and planing (deep cleaning). If the condition is more advanced, it can only be managed with special products, frequent appointments, and surgical procedures.