Dentures: Facts, Figures and Friendly Advice for Seniors

A Dull, Throbbing Feeling of Discomfort in Your Mouth? Reasons and Solutions

16 August 2017

Herman Kim

The thought of a toothache can send a chill down the spine of almost anyone. A minor twinge of pain in a tooth can be alarming, and you might find yourself waiting for it to subside, hoping that it was something minor. Any type of recurring toothache warrants a trip to your dentist, but there are some instances when you might be unsure, since you might be experiencing discomfort rather than outright pain. A dull, throbbing sensation in your mouth could be something that requires immediate attention, or it might be caused by something less obvious.

A Localised Pain

If you feel that you can trace the source of the pain or discomfort to a particular tooth or section of your mouth, then you should inspect the area as best as you can. Look inside your mouth using your bathroom mirror with as much lighting as possible. Can you see any obvious damage to one of the teeth in the area? You should also inspect your gums in the same area, looking for any abnormalities. It might be that one of the teeth in the area has become abscessed, which is when a bacterial infection has begun in the soft pulp of the tooth in question. This infection can spread to your gums, resulting in something that almost looks like a whitehead or pimple. If you believe that you are suffering from an abscess, you should see your dentist immediately. The issue can progress rather quickly, and minor discomfort can quickly escalate to serious pain. Your dentist will drain the abscess and then treat the cause of the problem to prevent a recurrence. Antibiotics might also be necessary.

A Generalised Pain

If the dull and throbbing pain or discomfort cannot be traced to a specific area, then there might be another cause for the problem. Would you say the feeling is in fact spread throughout your jaws? You might be grinding your teeth in your sleep (which is known as bruxism), resulting in a feeling of discomfort throughout the day. While it's not as urgent as an abscess, treatment as soon as possible is a wise idea. But what kind of treatment is possible?

1. Your dentist will examine the alignment of your teeth. Crooked teeth might be affecting your bite, so repairing these will in fact repair the alignment of your bite, meaning that you will not grind your teeth during your sleep anymore.
2. Your dentist might provide you with a mouthguard that's specially designed to be worn while you sleep to prevent your teeth from grinding together.
3. You could also be referred to your GP if you might be suffering from sleep apnea or another condition that can result in bruxism.  

A dull, throbbing feeling of discomfort is not something you have to tolerate, so it's important to seek treatment.

Share

Search