North Raleigh Dentist: Common Causes of Mouth Pain and Swelling
Whether it’s sensitivity, bleeding gums, or a burning sensation, most of us have experienced pain in our mouth at some point. Pain and swelling can occur anywhere in the mouth, including the tongue, gums, inside of cheeks, and roof of the mouth. If you are experiencing severe mouth pain in North Raleigh, please call our office immediately.
With mild discomfort or severe pain, it’s important to understand the underlying cause of your mouth pain and swelling so that you can seek appropriate treatment and dental care.
Mouth Sores
Mouth sores can happen for various reasons. For this blog post, we will be talking about mouth sores that typically happen inside of the mouth and not outside (cold sores are typically outside the mouth). A common mouth sore we see are canker sores. These small ulcers develop on the inside of your cheek, tongue, and roof of the mouth. They’re easy to identify as white lesions with a red border. Even before they’re visible, canker sores cause tingling and burning.
Most canker sores heal on their own, but you should call your North Raleigh dentist if your pain persists. They may prescribe an antimicrobial mouth rinse, antibiotic, or corticosteroid to help the canker sore heal. There are other lesions, growths or sores that can develop that you may be unsure about. Mouth sores can be a symptom of oral cancer, and it is best to have your dentist look at these for you as quickly as they can.
Mouth or Tooth Injury
It’s all too easy to suffer an injury that causes overwhelming mouth pain and swelling. For example, you might trip and fall, bite your lip, crack your tooth, scratch your gums on a sharp piece of food, or burn your tongue. Depending on the extent of the damage done, you may need to call your dentist for treatment.
In the event of a cracked tooth, you’ll often develop sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures. Also, pain may come and go and be more prevalent while chewing or biting. For cracked tooth repair in North Raleigh, contact Creedmoor Road General Dentistry for quality care. Dr. Allen will assess the tooth and move forward with the best course of action for your particular needs.
Tooth Decay
Throbbing or occasional sharp pain without an obvious cause can be a sign of tooth decay. New tenderness while eating and/or sensitivity to hot and cold can also be an indication you have a cavity that needs to be taken care of. Addressing cavities right away with your dentist can help save your tooth. If your cavity is more mild, a tooth-colored filling is typically sufficient. If you have severe decay, a root canal may be needed. Don’t fret if a root canal is what you need. Root canals RELIEVE the pain, they don’t cause it like many think.
Dry Mouth
Dry mouth is a chronic issue that develops when your salivary glands struggle to keep the inside of your mouth moist. Saliva serves many essential purposes in the mouth, including washing debris and bacteria off the teeth and preventing acid from eroding the teeth.
You may be suffering from dry mouth if your mouth feels parched, and you frequently develop bad breath, mouth sores, a rough tongue, cracked lips, cavities, or swelling on the roof of the mouth. Minor cases of dry mouth may be resolved by drinking more water and eating foods that stimulate saliva production, such as carrots and almonds.
However, severe cases of dry mouth often require the support of your dentist. Your dentist can identify the cause of your dry mouth and prescribe the best treatment like artificial saliva or medications to increase saliva production.
Gum Disease
Gum disease is one of the most common oral health problems among adults in America. The early stage of gum disease is known as gingivitis, which is caused by a buildup of plaque along the teeth and gums. Plaque eats away at the healthy structures of the mouth to cause swollen, bleeding gums and bad breath.
Gingivitis can be reversed with regular dental care and careful brushing and flossing. Left untreated, however, gingivitis progresses into the more advanced form of gum disease called periodontitis. Loose teeth, gum erosion, and bone loss are all symptoms of periodontitis.
Gum disease is destructive, but for most, easy to prevent. This is one of the many reasons why it’s so important to keep up with your regular dental cleanings. If you notice symptoms of gingivitis on your own, reach out to your dentist. Any pain and swelling should be treated immediately to prevent damage in the future.
The team at Creedmoor Road General Dentistry is here to help you with any mouth pain and swelling issues you’re experiencing. Give us a call to schedule your appointment and get the comprehensive dental care you deserve.