My Mouth is Killing Me! What Should I Do?
My Mouth is Killing Me! What Should I Do?
Waking up in the middle of the night and realizing, “My mouth is killing me!” is incredibly frustrating. Often, people can feel pain in their mouths when eating or drinking cold or hot beverages, while chewing or when applying pressure to the teeth in the mouth. While dental pain is experienced by most people at some point in their lives, it is not normal and should be treated promptly.
What are the Causes of Tooth Pain?
Tooth pain can be caused by a number of reasons. Tooth decay in the form of cavities can cause wear in the tooth enamel that results in pain. An abscessed tooth that has an infection in the root of the tooth or in the gum area can result in extreme pain in the mouth as well. Additionally, a fractured or cracked tooth, a filling that is damaged, grinding of the teeth and infected gums will also cause pain in the mouth.
What Symptoms Typically Occur Along With Tooth Pain?
If your mouth is in pain, many times the problem is a decayed tooth or an infection in the gums. Other symptoms can also indicate tooth problems, such as:
- Swelling in the gums around the tooth
- Fever
- Headache
- Drainage from the tooth that is foul-tasting
- Foul-smelling breath
- Swollen glands in the neck
- Redness in the gums
When Should I Get Treatment?
If your mouth pain lasts longer than one to two days, it is time to visit the dentist. If the pain is so severe that eating or drinking become difficult or if there is additional pain felt in the ear, pain is experienced in your jaw when you open your mouth or if you experience a fever, an appointment should be scheduled with the dentist right away.
If you are eating or drinking and suddenly realize, “My mouth is killing me!” don’t hesitate to make an appointment with the dentist. Being seen sooner, rather than later, can stop the pain and prevent additional problems from occurring.
Call 504-347-1014 to schedule your appointment with Southern Dental Care today!
