Have you ever felt tooth pain? You bite down on something, and it doesn’t give way and break up as it should. You have a complicated dental procedure done. You suffer an injury to your teeth. You develop a tooth infection or a cavity. There are so many ways you can experience severe pain!
Our teeth and the surrounding teeth and tissues in our mouths are highly sensitive. Inside each tooth is a material packed with pulp nerves that are more sensitive than any others in the body. Pain levels vary, but it’s not unusual to experience a throbbing pain that pulsates with a crazy rhythm. It is a steady, persistent, severe pain, and it does not allow you to ignore it or push it to the recesses of your mind like so much background noise. Throbbing pain warns you of a potentially serious problem that needs your immediate attention and action. Something is injured, infected, or irritated.
It’s essential to identify the cause(s) and deal with throbbing tooth pain right away, either with the services of your dentist or orthodontist, on your own with some helpful home remedies, or both.
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What Is a Throbbing Tooth?
That sharp pain is in and around your tooth or multiple teeth. You may have an injury, a tooth infection, or you may be recovering from an invasive dental procedure. The tissues around the tooth are likely inflamed and may be bleeding. Damage or decay may be causing tooth sensitivity because the tooth’s nerve is exposed, and germs are getting in. That’s going to throb!
That intense throbbing tooth sensation may feel like it’s pulsing along with your heartbeat. But it’s not. Studies show that the throbbing tooth pain does not match the heartbeat; instead, it moves to its own unique, independent rhythm. In one study of people with throbbing tooth pain, the throbbing rate was significantly slower than the heart rate. There was no underlying synchrony. Researchers theorized that the pace of the throbbing is a neuropsychological perception.
Whatever the origin, this persistent pain is a great reason to see your orthodontist or dentist and find out what’s causing the severe pain.
What Causes Throbbing Tooth Pain?
There are so many possible causes for throbbing tooth pain, so we’ll just list a few here:
- Tooth decay: Bacteria destroy the enamel layer and the protection it provides.
- Tooth abscess: A tooth abscess kills the pulp inside the tooth and creates pus.
- Tooth fracture: A crack in the tooth can let in germs or food particles and cause infection.
- Gum disease: Infection invades the gums and causes gingivitis.
- Bruxism: Grinding the teeth causes damage and pain.
Throbbing Tooth Pain after Tooth Extraction
Having a tooth extracted is an intense, invasive procedure. Separating the roots from the jaw bone will create throbbing pain once the anesthesia wears off. For a few days, the pain is expected as your mouth begins the healing process. One possible complication is dry socket, occurring when the protective blood clot doesn’t form in the hole left behind, and raw nerves are exposed.
Throbbing Tooth Pain after Crown
A crown is a tooth-shaped cap made of metal, ceramic, or porcelain covering a damaged tooth. If broken or loosened, it can let in bacteria and infection and cause throbbing tooth pain. The procedure of placing the crown may also cause temporary pain, as can receding gums around the crown.
Throbbing Tooth Pain after Dental Fillings
The all-too-common cavity can be painful, especially if it is deep enough to harm the nerve. Filling material will also cause temporary pain and sensitive teeth, which should pass in a few days. However, if the pain lingers, it may mean that there is a problem with the dental filling, and the dentist needs to take a look at it.
Throbbing Tooth Pain after Root Canal
A root canal involves removing the inner pulp of a tooth because it has become injured or infected. It’s normal to have some pain after a root canal, as it will be uncomfortable for several days. However, lasting, extreme pain is cause for concern, and you should head back to the dentist.
Throbbing Tooth Pain in the Wisdom Tooth
It’s common for wisdom teeth to grow crooked or slanted because there’s not enough room in your jaws. They can cause pain if they push on other teeth or trap bacteria that cause decay. There will also be pain when they are extracted.
Symptoms of Throbbing Tooth Pain
Throbbing tooth pain is often accompanied by several symptoms, including:
- Constant dull ache;
- Pain when you bite or when you eat something sweet;
- Aching in the jaw;
- Mouth or gum swelling.
How to Stop Throbbing Pain
First, see your orthodontist or dentist. With an examination and tests, they will identify the cause of the pain and provide the necessary treatment or medication. Meanwhile, there are several things you can do on your own to ease the pain.
DIY Tips to Stop Throbbing Tooth Pain
Try one or more of the following pain relievers:
- Saltwater rinse: Saltwater reduces minor inflammation and swelling and is a natural disinfectant.
- Hydrogen peroxide rinse: Mix one part hydrogen peroxide and one part water to reduce inflammation.
- Cold compress: The cold feeling eases pain when held to the affected area for up to 20 minutes at a time.
- Over-the-counter pain medication for temporary relief.
Also helpful are over-the-counter anesthetics and ice packs.
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Experiencing severe pain is not something anyone wants to live with for long, especially where sensitive teeth are implied. Throbbing pain indicates either early healing or a warning of something potentially serious.
Prolonged throbbing pain should prompt a trip to the orthodontist or dentist for treatment. In the meantime, you can help yourself with various home remedies.
Contact Loudoun Orthodontics if you are ready to learn more about orthodontic treatment and how it can help you achieve your best smile. Whether you want to learn more about the benefits of orthodontic treatment or have questions about the process, use our live chat or call (703) 858-0303 or send us a message through our contact us page to connect with our friendly staff today to book a free consultation! Our office, located at 19465 Deerfield Ave, Suite 304, Leesburg, VA 20176, proudly serves not just Loudoun County but also the Greater Washington DC area. So, if you’re residing in Purcellville, Broadlands, or Brambleton, and are looking for one of the best orthodontists in VA, don’t hesitate to visit our office! We also invite you to keep up with our blog to get answers to many of the frequently asked questions about maintaining sparkling oral health, as well as follow us on Facebook and Instagram to become a part of our smiling community!