What Causes Dental Crown Pain?

Dental crown pain can be the result of a variety of causes. They can include damage to the enamel of healthy teeth, breakage, bacterial leakage from previous fillings, traumatized nerves, misalignment in your bite, pulp infection and more. The first step to stopping the persistent dental crown pain is to identify what type of symptoms you have, and then discussing them with your dentist.

If you are suffering from tooth crown pain, you already know that there isn’t much time. It is important to talk to your dentist as soon as you notice sensitivity to hot or cold, gum line irritation or a misalignment in your bite. That way, you can get the right type of care to address your dental crown pain.

4 Most Common Causes of Tooth Crown Pain

There are a variety of reasons you could be noticing tooth crown pain. Here are just three of the most common causes of dental crown pain:

1. Root Canal. This common dental procedure includes the removal of tooth pulp in order to eliminate persistent pain. Inside the tooth, the pulp can become inflamed and cause pressure to a nerve. This type of trauma to the nerve is one of the most common reasons for tooth crown pain.
2. Bite Misalignment. Your “bite” is the alignment of your top and bottom teeth together, as they rest in your mouth. When you close your mouth and relax you might notice discomfort in the setting of your teeth. Misalignment is commonly caused by grinding of the teeth but can be the result of improper dental fittings, jaw injury and other oral health problems, as well.
3. Previous Fillings. A crown on your tooth that is set too high or off balance can cause damage to your bite. This sensitivity can even lead to dental crown pain and is actually very common, especially within the first few weeks after receiving a dental filling.
4. Dental Crown Procedure. These partial or complete covers of the tooth’s dental crown are also known as caps or dental crowns. Going by the same name as the natural part of the tooth that they restore, these cement type of caps or covers prevent further decay and damage.

What Can I Do About Tooth Crown Pain?

Dental crown pain is more common than you may realize. Many people even suffer from tooth crown pain as a result of grinding their teeth at night. This habit, also known as bruxism includes symptoms of a tight, painful jaw upon waking, along with lasting pain in the lower part of the face and jaw with occasional swelling. Because bruxism occurs during sleep you may not notice it is the cause of your tooth crown pain.

Talk to your dentist about this and other common causes of tooth crown pain. Prevention can include simple behavioral changes like using gentle mouth guards during sleep, practicing breathing exercises and reducing anxiety before bed with heat or other techniques.

This will, of course, include a detailed dental care routine to remove bacteria and keep teeth and gums healthy. Regular teeth brushing, flossing and washing of the mouth (every 12-hours) is the recommended protocol. However, your dentist may have other suggestions for your specific needs.

It is important to address the reason for your dental crown pain as soon as you notice sensitivity. A sign of a more serious dental problem that needs immediate relief (root canal, etc) should not be overlooked. If you have any doubts or questions, call us at Gables Sedation and Family Dentistry and set up an appointment, today! We are happy to help!