Common Causes
What to Know and Do About Molar Tooth Pain
- About your molars. You have different sets of molars when you’re growing up. ...
- Molar pain symptoms. Molar pain can include pain isolated to a single molar or pain that surrounds one or more of your molars.
- Causes of molar teeth pain. ...
- Tips to manage molar pain symptoms. ...
- Prevention tips. ...
- The takeaway. ...
Related Conditions
Tooth Infection. Infection can be a cause of molar tooth pain. Infections usually start around a single tooth. If left untreated, the infection can spread to the surrounding teeth, and even to parts of the airway, which can cause sinusitis.
What to know and do about molar tooth pain?
The symptoms of teeth clenching and/or grinding (also known as bruxing or parafunction) can include pain in teeth and gums, as well as jaw joints and muscles. The pain it causes can be debilitating and significantly affect your daily life.
What causes pain in molar teeth?
- Rinse mouth with warm water.
- If possible, reinsert permanent teeth into the correct sockets and have the person bite on a gauze pad to hold teeth in place.
- If you can't reinsert permanent teeth, or for baby teeth or teeth fragments, store them in whole milk or between your cheek and gum to prevent drying.
Why is my molar hurting?
What to do if your molar tooth breaks?
How do you relieve pain from molar gum?
How to Soothe Sore GumsRinse your mouth with warm salt water.Use only toothbrushes with soft or extra-soft bristles.Use over-the-counter (OTC) painkillers, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol), as directed.
Why is my molar gum sore?
Brushing too hard, improper flossing techniques, infection, or gum disease can cause sore and sensitive gums. Other causes unrelated to oral hygiene could include a Vitamin K deficiency, hormonal changes during pregnancy, leukemia or blood disorders.
Why is my gum sore at the back of my mouth?
Gingivitis is a mild form of gum disease that's fairly common. It causes inflammation, redness, and irritation of your gums, especially along the bottom of your teeth. Gingivitis can make your gums tear and bleed easily, causing soreness.
Why is my gum painful around one tooth?
When gums swell around a single tooth in this way, it usually indicates an infection. This is called an abscessed tooth, and it can be very painful. If left untreated, it is possible for the infection to spread, leading to more serious dental problems.
Why is my gum swollen behind my molar?
In many cases, a piece of food or a buildup of plaque can get caught underneath the small flap of the gum around the tooth. Eventually, the gum will become irritated, leading to pericoronitis. If the condition becomes severe, the swelling may spread into the jaw, neck, and cheeks.
How can you tell the difference between tooth pain and gum pain?
A red, swollen, painful bump may be found near or on the side of the sore tooth. The tooth may especially hurt when you bite down. A tooth that has not broken through the gum (impacted tooth). Gums may be red, swollen, and sore.
How long does a sore gum take to heal?
The time it takes for sore gums to return to normal varies depending on the cause. For most cases, such as poor brushing technique or simple injury – the gums should take around 10 days to heal. However, your gums can start to feel better within a few days too – but fully healing over a week or so.
What is tooth pericoronitis?
Pericoronitis is swelling and infection of the gum tissue around the wisdom teeth, the third and final set of molars that usually appear in your late teens or early 20s.
What is the best pain reliever for gum pain?
Pain relievers such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) and ibuprofen (Advil) can help ease dental and oral discomfort. A person may see the best results when they combine over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers with home remedies, such as gargling with a salt water solution.
Will a gum infection go away on its own?
An abscess in the gum is called a periodontal abscess. Dental abscesses are often painful, but not always. In either case, they should be looked at by a dentist. It's important to get help as soon as possible, as abscesses do not go away on their own.
What does gum abscess look like?
What does a gum abscess look like? It may start as a shiny, reddened area of your gum tissue. As the abscess progresses, a tiny white or yellow dot may appear on your gums, gradually getting larger as the abscess fills with pus. Eventually, the abscess will resemble a pimple on the gum.
What does a gum abscess look like?
What does a gum abscess look like? It may start as a shiny, reddened area of your gum tissue. As the abscess progresses, a tiny white or yellow dot may appear on your gums, gradually getting larger as the abscess fills with pus. Eventually, the abscess will resemble a pimple on the gum.
Does a sore gum mean a root canal?
Swollen gums Swollen gums near the painful tooth can be a sign of an issue that requires a root canal. The swelling may come and go. It may be tender when you touch it, or it may not be painful to the touch.
Can pericoronitis go away?
Unfortunately, pericoronitis won't go away on its own. If it goes untreated, it can become dangerous after only a couple of weeks. Typically, either the flap of tissue or the wisdom tooth needs to be removed. If an infection is present, an antibiotic will be needed, as well.
How to treat molar pain?
A few home treatments can help with molar tooth pain, such as the following. Toothpaste for sensitivity: If you experience molar tooth pain with brushing or with hot and cold foods, try using a toothpaste formulated for sensitivity. Ice or a compress: Try placing a cold compress on your cheek over the affected tooth.
Why do my upper molars hurt?
The upper molars are most likely to hurt since they are located close to the sinuses. Unlike other causes of tooth pain, which are restricted to the tooth affected by a particular process like a cavity, the pain associated with sinusitis will be felt in multiple teeth.
Why does my wisdom tooth hurt?
Infection. Molar tooth pain can also be caused by infections. Local infection: Inflammation of the gum over a wisdom tooth or the pulp of a tooth can progress to a bacterial infection. Spreading infection: Without proper treatment, a local infection can spread, causing extensive swelling and pain.
What is the pain of a tooth abscess?
It is due to bacterial infection. Top Symptoms: severe jaw or tooth pain, swollen jaw, jaw stiffness, tooth pain that gets worse with hot, cold, or sweet beverages, warm and red jaw swelling.
What causes TMJ pain on one side of face?
Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction is often caused by a variety of factors, including daily habits, your teeth alignment, and even stress. It usually affects one side of the jaw, but in some people it can affect both sides. People with TMJ dysfunction will typically experience pain on one side of the face that is worse with chewing, yawning, or other movements of the jaw. With some simple changes in your daily habits and other at-home treatments, most people with TMJ dysfunction will experience relief of their symptoms within weeks.
Why do molar teeth crack?
Molar teeth are particularly prone to cavities because their location in the back of the mouth makes them difficult to clean effectively. Fracture: An acute injury, biting down on hard foods, or gradual damage over time can cause a crack to develop. This results in pain if the crack extends deep into the tooth.
What happens if you have a tooth infection?
In the most severe case where a tooth infection spreads through the mouth, fever, difficulty opening the mouth, and difficulty breathing will occur, requiring emergency treatment.
What happens if you eat a tooth?
In many cases, a piece of food or a buildup of plaque can get caught underneath the small flap of the gum around the tooth. Eventually, the gum will become irritated, leading to pericoronitis. If the condition becomes severe, the swelling may spread into the jaw, neck, and cheeks.
What to do if your tooth is swollen?
However, if the area around the tooth, as well as your cheek and jaw become swollen or very painful, you need to see your dentist as soon as possible. The infection can be treated with antibiotics, and a prescription pain reliever may be recommended as well.
How to treat gum pain?
At-home treatments. The following remedies for gum pain can be tried at home. Brushing and flossing: Regular brushing with toothpaste that contains fluoride and regular dental flossing are the best ways to prevent plaque buildup and dental infection.
What causes gum pain?
Medications: Certain medications can cause enlargement of the gums which can lead to plaque buildup, irritation, pain, or bleeding. Calcium channel blockers, a common blood pressure medication, phenytoin (Dilantin) and cyclosporine, an immunosuppressant, may cause gum pain symptoms. Systemic conditions: Some chronic medical conditions ...
Why do my gums hurt?
The most common cause of gum pain is inflammation of the gums or gingivitis . One of the most common causes of gingivitis is the buildup of bacteria (called plaque) on the teeth and gums leading to irritation and pain. Other causes of gingivitis include mechanical irritation, medications, nutritional deficiencies or other systemic illnesses.
Why do my gums swell?
Gum swelling, often accompanied by bleeding gums and tenderness-to-touch, is most commonly caused by poor oral hygiene, pregnancy, infections. Plaque and tartar around the teeth and gums often cause gum inflammation and there are plenty of home remedies. But you may need to see a dentist for more serious issues.
Why does my tooth pull hurt after a tooth extraction?
Dry socket (or postextraction alveolar osteitis) is a common cause of severe pain after a dental extraction (tooth pull). It's known to be related to how the extraction was done, menstrual cycle, tobacco smoking, age, sex, and whether you have had an extraction before.
Can you change your prescription for infected teeth?
Medications: If a doctor suspects gum irritation and pain due to medications, they may change your prescription . Do not stop or change your medications without consulting a doctor.
Can inflammation cause tooth disconnection?
Inflammation can cause a loss of supportive connective tissue or bone and disconnection of teeth from gums. It may cause bleeding upon brushing or probing and increased tooth mobility as well as increased systemic illness from bacteria in the mouth entering the blood streams.
Why do my gums pull away from my teeth?
They usually happen when you don’t brush or floss your teeth well or often enough. You might not feel pain at this early stage. If you don’t do a better job brushing and flossing, your gum disease could get worse. Over time, your gums might start to pull away from your teeth, creating little pockets.
What happens to your gums after menopause?
Once you hit menopause, your hormone levels shift again. Your gums could bleed, change colors, burn, or hurt. Abscessed Tooth. When you have an infection by the root of your tooth, it forms a pus pocket, or abscess. These don’t always hurt, but many do. Some abscessed teeth also cause the gums to swell.
How long does it take for a canker sore to go away?
They usually show up as red splotches in the mouth, but they can have a white coating, too. There’s no special treatment for canker sores, but they tend to go away on their own within a week or two. If they don’t, see your doctor or dentist.
Why do my teeth lose their teeth?
Tiny pieces of food can get stuck in them, causing infection. This can cause the teeth to loosen or the bone holding them in place to break down, which leads to tooth loss. You may or may not feel any pain at this point.
Can you get cancer on your gums?
Oral cancer. This can start on your tongue, inner cheek, tonsils, or gums. You or your dentist may see the cancer, because it looks like a sore in your mouth that just won’t heal. It might not be painful at first. But keep an eye on it -- and any sores in your mouth or on your gums.
Can hormones cause gum pain?
It could also lead to oral cancer. If you’re a woman, hormones can affect your gums at different times in your life. During puberty, more blood flows to your gums, and they could feel swollen, tender or painful. They might also feel a little sore during your period.
Do gums hurt when you have a toothache?
But what do you do when you have problems with your gums? There are many reasons why your gums might hurt. But a lot of gum problems don’t cause pain right away.
What is the best way to treat sore gums?
You’ll find other OTC products to treat sore gums at the drugstore. These include: 1 Mouthwashes containing hydrogen peroxide (such as Gly-Oxide) 2 Gels that you apply directly to the sore gums (such as Anbesol)
Why do my gums bleed?
If your gums hurt or bleed for more than a week, head for your dentist’s chair. Red, swollen gums that bleed easily are a sign of the gum disease gingivitis. You can get your gums back to normal by brushing and flossing regularly and getting your teeth cleaned regularly.
How long does it take for a canker sore to go away?
They’re not contagious and usually go away in 1 to 3 weeks. Canker sores that are larger than a half-inch can be very painful and should be treated by a dentist. To ease your pain in the meantime, avoid spicy, salty, and acidic foods, and follow the same home remedies above.
What happens if you don't treat gingivitis?
If you don’t treat it, gingivitis can lead to a more serious form of gum disease called periodontitis, which can cause painful pockets of pus called abscesses. It can also lead to tooth loss. Gum disease has been linked to heart disease, so it’s very important to take care of your mouth.
What is the name of the white stuff on your tongue?
Mouthwashes containing hydrogen peroxide (such as Gly-Oxide) Gels that you apply directly to the sore gums (such as Anbesol) If your gums hurt and you have a white coating on your tongue or cheeks, you could have an infection called thrush. It’s a type of yeast infection.
Why do my gums get sore?
It’s an infection caused by plaque buildup that attacks the tissue and bones supporting your teeth. This causes your gums to recede and your teeth to become loose. While it usually develops slowly, periodontitis can also come on quickly. Its main symptom is gum soreness, and it can also cause: swollen gums.
Why do my gums hurt when I brush?
It’s possible you may feel more pain if you use a harsh mouthwash, especially one containing alcohol. Keep reading to learn more about the possible causes of sore gums.
How do you know if you have gingivitis?
Other symptoms of gingivitis include: receding gums. tender gums. bad breath. gums that look puffy. Gingivitis is usually caused by poor oral hygiene, such as not flossing or brushing your teeth enough. While it’s not a serious condition, it can quickly progress into a more serious form of gum disease.
What causes soreness in the bottom of the mouth?
Gingivitis. Gingivitis is a mild form of gum disease that’s fairly common. It causes inflammation, redness, and irritation of your gums, especially along the bottom of your teeth. Gingivitis can make your gums tear and bleed easily, causing soreness. Other symptoms of gingivitis include:
What happens to gums when you take birth control?
These changes can alter the way your body supplies blood to your gums . This makes your gum tissue more sensitive and vulnerable to damage and irritation.
How to treat periodontitis?
Treating periodontitis requires advanced forms of professional teeth cleaning called scaling and root planting. Both of these help to remove bacteria from under your gums. You’ll need to follow up with regular brushing and flossing to avoid another infection.
How to treat thrush on gums?
If they reach your gums, you might feel some soreness or irritation. Oral thrush is treated with antifungal medications. These usually come in several forms, including a pill, lozenge, and mouthwash.
How to help sore gums?
Salt water rinses or a rinse of equal parts of water and hydrogen peroxide are other options to soothe sore gums. But if the pain or swelling persists, a visit to your dentist is in order so you can determine which of the following issues you’re dealing with. Let’s dive into the full list of possibilities:
What is the pain in the mouth?
Gingivitis is a common condition consisting of inflammation of the gums of your mouth. The main symptom is swollen, discolored, bleeding gums. It is prevented and treated by good oral hygiene, and if untreated, it can progress to periodontitis. Mouth. Painful Mouth Sore: Symptoms, Causes & Common Questions.
What happens when plaque and tartar spread?
Plaque and tartar — and the bacteria they contain — spread below the gum line, ultimately severely damaging or destroying the tissue and bone around the teeth. Gums become puffy, red or purplish, tender, and prone to bleeding, and recession from the teeth. Teeth become loose and may fall out or must be removed.
Why is my gum swollen and tender?
Overgrown, swollen, and sometimes tender gum tissue may result from some anti-seizure and immunosuppressant drugs, as well as from calcium channel blockers used by some cardiac patients. Notifying your doctor or dentist is best if you experience these gum symptoms.
What causes red gums and bad breath?
A very painful but rare form of gingivitis, its name harkens back to World War I, when soldiers in the trenches frequently developed this infection. Poor nutrition or oral hygiene, smoking, stress, or other oral infections can alter the bacterial makeup of the mouth, resulting in an overabundance of normal mouth bacteria. Red, swollen, ulcerative gums accompanied by bad breath and occasional fever are the signs. Fortunately, this uncommon infection usually responds to treatment. Good oral hygiene, salt water or hydrogen peroxide rinses, a professional cleaning and possible antibiotics are recommended.
What causes white swollen gums?
Oral candidiasis, otherwise known as oral thrush, is caused by the fungus Candida albicans and results in swollen, often tender gums, along with creamy white lesions. While viral infections can be treated symptomatically, fungal infections require a prescription for the appropriate antifungal medication.
What is a canker sore?
Canker sores are a type of mouth ulcer called aphthous ulcer. They usually appear at the base of the gums, are painful and can interfere with eating, drinking, and talking. Although most disappear within a week, it’s best to check with your dentist if they persist, recur, cause considerable pain or severely interfere with eating or drinking.