Cavity Pain- Causes and Treatment

One of the most dreaded and feared pain of all is dental pain. When a person has tooth decay, it is initially restricted to the enamel, which is the hard, white portion of the tooth without any sensation.

However, if the tooth decay progresses unhindered, then it may reach the dentin and eventually the pulp. This is when the cavity pain becomes really unbearable and leads to sleepless nights. Here are the causes and treatment options for cavity pain.

The most common cause of pain in a cavity in the tooth is caries and tooth decay. As aforementioned, the caries is initially restricted to only the enamel. However, when this progresses into the dentin, the person experiences sensitivity for the first time. This sensitivity may be mild to moderate and may be aggravated by taking hot or cold food.

This is one of the first symptoms of cavity pain. If the condition is not treated at this stage, then the caries progress towards the pulp. The progression of caries from the dentin to pulp is at a much faster rate compared to the progression of caries from enamel to dentin.

This is because the structure of dentin is porous, hence, the microorganisms manage to reach the pulp at a much faster rate.

Another cause of cavity pain may be trauma. Sometimes, a person may end up eating very hard food, which may chip the tooth at a weak point. This is more commonly seen in recently-filled teeth. Some people may even complain of pain after filling. This is generally seen in cases where the caries might have been very close to the pulp.

In such cases, to avoid root canal treatment, the cavity is filled with material that helps to form a bridge between the dentin and the pulp, like a calcium based filling. However, if this bridge is not formed and the caries progress unhindered, then it usually reaches the pulp and may lead to severe pain and acute pulpitis.

At times, pain after a filling may also be seen due to incomplete removal of caries, or a loose restoration that allows seepage of caries into the tooth.

To attain any kind of relief, the treatment will depend on the cause of pain. In case the pain is not severe and it is only sensitivity, then it can be treated with the help of a deep filling. Deep filling has a base that helps to regenerate the base of the cavity, that is, the dentin wall.

If the caries is very deep, then with the help of an X-ray, it can be checked whether or not the caries has reached the pulp. If the caries has reached the dental pulp, then only a root canal procedure can help save the tooth.

In case of fractures to teeth, along with getting the tooth treated with a root canal treatment, the person's tooth will also be fitted with a crown. If the pain persists even after a filling, an X-ray is taken to see what is wrong with the tooth and then accordingly, decide the treatment plan.

The pain in teeth can be very excruciating, therefore when a person even begins to feel sensitivity in his teeth, it is best to visit the dentist immediately. Also, early treatment avoids a root canal treatment. However, if a person lets the dental caries progress, then it may culminate in root canal treatment or even extraction of the tooth.