Healthy Line: How to Relieve Molar Pain Causes & Best Treatments

 

Molar Pain: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment, and Prevention

 

Molar pain is a typical dental disorder that occurs to individuals of all ages. Molars are large, flat teeth that are at the back of the mouth and they grind food. Because of their role and status, they are more prone to different dental issues that may cause discomfort or extreme pain.

This guide is a detailed look into the causes, symptoms, treatment, and prevention of molar pain in a bid to give you an in-depth understanding of how you can deal with and reduce this condition.

 

Causes of Molar Pain

Molar pain may be caused by a variety of reasons, starting with slight annoyances, and ending with severe dental diseases. The most common causes are given below:

1. Tooth Decay (Cavities)

·        Mouth bacteria also produce acids which wear out the teeth enamel resulting in cavities.

·        The grooves and fissures of the molars predispose them to this factor since they trap food.

·        Long holes may expose the tooth nerve giving sharp or throbbing pain.

2. Gum Disease (Periodontitis or Gingivitis)

·        The presence of plaque can cause gum infection through inflammation.

·        Gum recession causes the exposure of tooth roots that makes them sensitive and painful.

·        Severe gum disease may also destroy the molar bone.

3. Impacted Wisdom Teeth

·        Third molars (wisdom teeth) do not have enough space to come out.

·        Compressed wisdom teeth may exert pressure on other teeth, which may be painful, swollen and infected.

·        Wisdom teeth that have only partially erupted can trap food and bacteria to result in pericoronitis (inflammation around the tooth).

4. Dental Abscess

·        Bacterial infection of either the gums or the tooth pulp may create a pus-filled abscess.

·        The signs and symptoms are intense and continuous pain, edema, fever, and foul mouth.

·        Should receive dual dental care immediately to avoid spreading of infections.

5. Cracked or Fractured Molar

·        A molar can crack due to teeth grinding (bruxism) or chewing hard foods or because of trauma.

·        It is painful when chewing or the hot/cold temperature is applied to the tooth.

·        A severe crack can reach the root and the tooth has to be removed.

6. Bruxism (Teeth Grinding or Clenching)

·        Prolonged grinding breaks off enamel, which causes sensitivity and pain on the teeth.

·        It is frequent when one is sleeping because of stress or the misalignment of teeth.

·        May result in pain in the jaw (TMJ disorders) and molar pain.

7. Sinus Infections (Sinusitis)

·        Upper molars roots are near to the sinus cavities.

·        The pressure in the sinus may resemble the pain in the teeth, particularly when the person bends over or lies down.

·        Is normally handled after the sinus infection is cured.

8. Temperature Sensitivity

·        Bare dentin (as a result of enamel wearing off or recessed gums) may result in agonizing pain when hot or cold food is consumed.

·        Commonly associated with cavities, gum disease or hard brushing.

9. Dental Procedures (Post-Treatment Sensitivity)

·        Temporary sensitivity can be caused by recent fillings, crowns or root canals.

·        Within few days, pain should go away; the pain that lasts more than a few days might be a sign of complications.

 

Symptoms Associated with Molar Pain

Depending on the condition, molar pain may have different signs. The common symptoms are:

·        Acute, ardent, or persistent pain in the back teeth.

·        Sensitivity to chewing or chewing down, which is an indication of a crack or cavity.

·        Hot, cold or sweet food and drink sensitivity.

·        The gums or face swelling up, posing a sign of an abscess or infection.

·        Foul taste or bad breath, usually caused by an infection by bacteria. Severe pain in the head or ear, particularly in the case of TMJ diseases or impacted wisdom teeth.

·        Either fever or generalized discomfort, which is a sign of a systemic infection.

In case of more than a few days of persistence or exacerbation, it is necessary to consult a dentist immediately.

 

Diagnosis of Molar Pain

To establish the cause of molar pain, a thorough examination will be done by a dentist which can include:

·        Visual Inspection- Examining presence of cavities, cracks or inflammation of the gum.

·        X-rays - X-rays can show decay under a tooth, abscesses or impacted teeth.

·        Percussion Test- Rapping on the tooth in order to detect infection or inflammation.

·        Cold Sensitivity Test -Testing the health of nerves.

·        Bite Test- Finding fractures or misalignment problems.

Depending on the results, the dentist will advise proper treatment.

 

Treatment Options for Molar Pain

The management varies with the cause. There are common approaches:

1. Dental Fillings or Bonding

·        Applied on cavities or smaller cracks.

·        The rotten part is taken out and the tooth is filled up with composite resin or amalgam.

2. Root Canal Therapy

·        This is necessary in case of infected pulp of the teeth.

·        The dentist extracts the infected tissue, flushes the canal and seals it.

·        Added protection can be provided by use of a crown.

3. Tooth Extraction

·        Needed in case of severely damaged, infected or impacted molars.

·        It is standard to have wisdom teeth removed in case they are crowding or infected.

4. Antibiotics

·        It is used in treatment of bacterial infections or abscesses.

·        And should be undertaken as prescribed to avoid reinfection.

5. Gum Disease Treatment

·        Deep cleaning Scaling and root planning to get rid of plaque and tartar.

·        In extreme cases, surgery can be required.

6. Night Guards for Bruxism

·        Custom-made mouthguards inhibit night grinding of teeth.

·        They could also be assisted by stress management methods.

7. Pain Relief Medications

·        NSAIDs (ibuprofen, naproxen) are prescribed over the counter to use to decrease pain and inflammation.

·        Aspirin should not be applied directly on gums, since it burns.

8. Home Remedies (Temporary Relief)

·        Salt water rinse- Decreases bacteria and inflammation.

·        Cold compress- Numbness of pain and decrease in swelling.

·        Clove oil - Toothache-cure.

·        Hydrogen peroxide rinse-Assists in infection of gums (diluted with water).

 

Read Also: - Headache Types, Causes, Symptoms & Prevention: A Complete Guide

Preventing Molar Pain

It is important to prevent molar pain and its consequences with the help of preventive dental care. The important strategies are:

1. Maintain Proper Oral Hygiene

·        Use fluoride toothpaste to brush twice per day.

·        Use floss every day to eliminate the plaque between the teeth.

·        Bacteria can be reduced by using antibacterial mouth wash.

2. Regular Dental Check-ups

·        Make a visit to the dentist in every six months to clean and check.

·        Proper diagnosis of any dental problem early enough avoids intense pain in future.

3. Healthy Diet Choices

·        Restrict sweet and acidic foods which destroy enamel.

·        Consume calcium-containing foods (dairy products, green vegetables) to make teeth strong.

4. Protect Teeth from Damage

·        Use a mouth guard when playing sport, or when grinding teeth.

·        Do not chew ice, hard candies or non-food items.

5. Address Wisdom Teeth Early

·        Follow the development of wisdom teeth using dental X-rays.

·        Extraction at an early stage helps to avoid the pain caused by impaction.

6. Stay Hydrated

·        The water assists in cleaning food particles and bacteria.

·        Avoids a dry mouth, a factor that predisposes one to cavities.

 

When to See a Dentist Immediately

Whereas home treatment can relieve some of the molar pains, there are few indications which need immediate dental care:

·        Major, uncompromising agony

·        Facial or Jaw swelling

·        Dysphagia or dyspnea

·        Discharge of pus or bad taste

·        Toothache and fever

These symptoms can cause a serious complication, such as systemic infections, when they are ignored.

 

Conclusion

Molar pain may become an important part of everyday life as it is hard to eat, talk and even sleep. Being aware of the causes, being able to identify symptoms, and receiving timely treatment are the keys to relief and long-term maintenance of oral health. Molar pain can be avoided by maintaining good oral health, regular visitations and early treatment which will result in a healthy and pain free smile.

In case you have been having molar pain that has not gone away, then visit a dentist as soon as possible so that he can identify what is ailing them and offer the necessary treatment. Your tooth can be saved and the further complications avoided with early intervention.