Are you experiencing minor or severe pain under your temporary crowned tooth? Is the pain noticeable when you bite or chew food? You may feel confusion or frustration because the crown placement should have stopped the pain. Regrettably, factors like a fractured tooth, an incompatible crown, infections, tooth grinding, and cavities can cause pain under your temporary dental crown. Whether you are experiencing pain days after getting your crowns or you have a persistent toothache lasting for months, the crucial thing is that you want the pain to stop. The guidelines in this article will educate you on how to address a hurting temporary crown.
Addressing the Pain of a Hurting Temporary Dental Crown after Placement
Many people suffer discomfort or pain following a temporary dental crown placement procedure. However, this can disappear after several days or weeks without professional intervention.
A patient can use simple analgesic medications to address the pain.
The sensitivity of nearby gums is common after the temporary crown placement procedure because of irritation caused by the dental cement. In most cases, a topical anesthetic balm available at pharmacies can relieve the irritation and works better than other oral pain relief medications like ibuprofen. A tooth-sensitivity toothpaste can also be effective in managing the pain.
If the irritation or pain persists for a few weeks or becomes severe, you should seek the advice of a dentist promptly.
Seek Medical Attention
Persistent pain is an indication that your body requires attention. When pain is mild and tolerable, most individuals adopt a wait-and-see approach, which can be risky. Tooth pain differs from a muscle strain or wound from which your body can naturally recover. The body alone cannot eliminate pain caused by a loose dental crown, cavity, infection, or incompatible tooth crown.
The pain could be due to an abscess or infection in your tooth’s root. When you start experiencing pain, the infection might have eroded the bone supporting your tooth. Untreated infections pose a serious risk to your overall well-being because if an infection spreads into your bloodstream, it could result in other health problems, including respiratory diseases, hypertension, stroke, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.
Call your orthodontist once your temporary dental crown begins to hurt and learn whether you need immediate medical attention. They will assess the details you disclose over the phone and recommend when to book an appointment.
Things the orthodontist can assist you with include:
- Conducting tests to identify any underlying issues — Early detection results in less invasive and pocket-friendly treatments.
- Preventing the infection from spreading to nearby tissues
- Offering practical pain management options
- Examining your tooth to determine the root cause of your pain
- Providing professional guidance on how you can tackle underlying issues to prevent further tooth cavities or damage to your temporary crown or jawbone
Managing Pain Caused By Tooth Sensitivity
In specific scenarios, teeth sensitivity can end independently following a dental procedure, including getting a temporary crown. If you suffer from prolonged tooth sensitivity, consult your dentist.
Common ways to handle pain due to tooth sensitivity include the following:
- Use fluoridated oral care products — Using fluoridated mouthwash daily can minimize sensitivity. Request your dental care provider to advise you on the best-fluoridated products for at-home use.
- Use desensitizing toothpaste — After using desensitizing toothpaste daily, you will notice a reduction in sensitivity. Before bedtime, consider spreading a little layer of the toothpaste on your exposed tooth’s roots and the tooth crown with a Q Tip or finger. Since there are different toothpaste brands for sensitive teeth, ask your dentist to help you determine the brand that suits your needs. Ensure you use fluoridated toothpaste.
- Be mindful of your diet — Regularly consuming acidic foods can gradually erode your teeth and damage the temporary dental crown. The foods can also worsen the sensitivity and trigger the pain.
- Use a toothbrush with soft bristles – A soft-bristled toothbrush can cause less abrasion on your tooth’s surface and crown.
- Avoid grinding your teeth.
- Practice good dental hygiene — Adhere to appropriate brushing and flossing methods to clean all areas of your mouth and teeth.
How To Ease Pain Caused By Bruxism (Tooth Grinding)
Your temporary dental crown could hurt due to bruxism (tooth grinding). In this case, addressing your tooth grinding is a practical way to relieve tooth discomfort or pain caused by bruxism. Understanding the root cause of bruxism can help you treat the condition. In some cases, combining various treatments can stop the pain. The treatments can include:
Using a Mouthguard
Unknowingly clenching and grinding your teeth applies much biting force to your teeth and could damage your temporary tooth crowns.
Mouthguards and splints provide a comfortable solution to ease pain caused by bruxism. These devices offer a physical barrier between your lower and upper teeth, absorbing pressure and avoiding tooth contact. When you fit them on well, this barrier halts or reduces tooth grinding, preventing damage and irritation.
You can request that your dentist create a custom-made mouthguard from medically approved materials like acrylic.
Addressing Underlying Causes
Healthcare experts are unsure of the exact cause of tooth grinding, but they understand that various psychological, physical, and genetic factors are at play.
There are several causes of tooth grinding, including the following:
- Medication complications — The cause of bruxism can be due to some medication's side effects, including antidepressants. If you suspect your tooth grinding is due to medication, consult your physician. A change in dosage or medication can provide relief. The healthcare professional can also add different drugs to your medications to prevent complications.
- Stress — Tooth grinding often starts when individuals are under stress. Managing the stress can stop the bruxism. You can consider using relaxation methods and counseling. In severe cases, doctors prescribe antidepressants.
- Underlying medical issues — Anxiety disorders, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD, and acid reflux could increase an individual’s bruxism risk. Sleep disorders, including sleep apnea and sleep-connected movement disorders, can also raise the risk of developing bruxism. Treating the underlying medical problem can end the tooth grinding.
Taking Advantage of Natural Remedies
Specific natural remedies can help alleviate tooth pain. However, if your pain persists, a dental care professional may need to treat the underlying cause. These natural remedies include the following:
Hydrogen Peroxide Rinse
A hydrogen peroxide rinse can relieve pain and inflammation, eliminate bacteria, reduce plaque, and heal bleeding gums. You should mix the hydrogen peroxide with the right amount of water and use it as mouthwash.
Please avoid swallowing the mixture.
An Ice Pack or a Cold Compress
An ice pack or cold compress can help reduce oral pain if the toothache is due to swollen gums or injury.
Hold a bag of frozen peas or an ice pack against the outer side of your cheek for several minutes above the painful tooth.
The treatment restricts your blood vessels, minimizing blood flow to the hurting area, numbing the sensitivity, and easing inflammation and swelling.
Using Garlic
Garlic is known for its medicinal and antibacterial properties. It can eliminate harmful bacteria that cause plaque and cavities and relieve pain.
When using garlic on a toothache, press the garlic clove to make a paste and apply it to the aching area. You could also add a pinch of salt.
You can also decide to chew a garlic clove.
Using Wheatgrass
Wheatgrass has innumerable healing elements, including immune-boosting and anti-inflammatory properties. It has numerous nutrients, like chlorophyll content, that eliminate bacteria.
You may drink the wheatgrass or use it to make mouthwash.
Toothache Plant
A toothache plant is a flowering plant found in subtropical and tropical areas. Its active property, silanol, has anti-inflammatory elements. It also offers a numbing effect when chewed.
Although toothache plants are typically safe, you should not use them if any of the below is true:
- You drink alcohol
- You are allergic to daisy family plants
- You have prostate cancer
- You use diuretics
- You are pregnant
Rinse Your Mouth With Salty Water
A salty water rinse is another brilliant first line of defense against your pain. Saltwater is a disinfectant. Rinsing your mouth can loosen food debris, and particles stuck between your teeth and can exacerbate the toothache. Finally, it can lower inflammation and assist in the recovery of oral wounds.
Add a teaspoon of salt to warm water to prepare your salt mixture and stir. Use the mixture as mouthwash and rinse your mouth for a few minutes. Do not swallow your mixture. Repeat the process at least three times a week.
Brush Your Teeth
Brushing your teeth when your tooth crown hurts removes tartar, plaque, and food particles that could irritate your sensitive gums and cause discomfort. Please seek medical attention if your pain worsens or persists.
Here are the proper brushing guidelines:
- Use a small, round-ended toothbrush with soft bristles to avoid irritating the region around your crown and the gum further
- Hold the tooth at a 45-degree angle to the gums
- Use gentle and circular motions to brush the teeth’s outer surface, paying attention to the gum line where your tooth meets the crown.
- Tilt your toothbrush vertically and brush the inner surfaces with light up-and-down motions.
- Brush your teeth chewing surfaces with short, back-and-forth strokes
- Do not forget to brush your tongue and the top inner part of the mouth to eliminate bacteria and freshen your breath.
- Ensure your toothpaste contains fluoride.
You can integrate brushing with oil pulling and flossing to remove food particles stuck between your teeth.
Take Over-the-counter Pain Relievers
Many patients instinctively reach for readily available pain relievers when dental crowns hurt. Nevertheless, not every medication is created equal, and selecting the ideal option requires careful consideration. Aspirin, acetaminophen, and ibuprofen are the most common over-the-counter painkillers, each with unique advantages and features.
Ibuprofen is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug that alleviates pain and inflammation. If you are experiencing moderate or mild dental pain or cannot take NSAIDs, acetaminophen is the best alternative. It lowers pain sensation. You should consult your physician if you are on other medication or have liver challenges; acetaminophen interacts with many substances.
Sometimes, combining painkillers offers improved relief. Most doctors recommend alternating painkillers, creating a more comprehensive pain management plan. You should implement this approach under your dentist’s guidance to prevent overdosing or medication interactions.
Although pain relievers offer relief, they do not solve the dental issue. Severe or persistent pain indicates an underlying problem that requires immediate medical attention.
How to Respond If Your Temporary Dental Crown Falls Out
Your temporary tooth crown could be hurting because it is falling out. Well, it is a manageable situation with the appropriate care. You can manage the issue by:
- Staying calm — It is normal for your temporary tooth crown to fall out.
- Refrain from eating on that side to avoid fracturing your exposed tooth
- Retrieve the crown to avoid swallowing it
Finally, consult your dentist immediately once you notice your temporary dental crown is falling out. You will need to either replace the dental crown or get a new one. Ask your dentist whether there are guidelines that you must abide by until your dental appointment.
Some dentists recommend that you attempt reinserting your tooth crown into its spot. You should gently clean the crown using toothpaste before temporarily gluing it into its place on the jawline. You can purchase temporary tooth cement at a store nearby.
Until you replace the crown, you should be cautious of what you eat. Stick to soft beverages and foods.
Find a Qualified Dentist Near Me
If your dentist has placed a temporary crown on your decaying or damaged tooth, you probably were not anticipating any irritation or pain after the completion of the procedure. After all, the crown is supposed to enhance your oral health and overall well-being. However, in some instances, dental crowns can result in heightened sensitivity or pain. The skilled Encino-based dentists at Lasting Impressions Dental Spa can inspect the tooth and the temporary crown to inform you what is causing the pain and develop an individualized treatment plan. We are dedicated to restoring optimal dental health, smile, and self-esteem. Please call us at 818-751-5100 to schedule your medical appointment.
