There are a number of things that can cause oral pain, which may affect your teeth, your soft tissues, or both. Decay is most commonly associated with mouth pain. However, this is not actually the most frequent cause of discomfort. If you are suffering from mouth pain in San Diego, Dr. George Georgaklis will thoroughly examine your teeth and gums to determine the underlying cause. Once he has a complete understanding of your oral health, he will determine the most effective La Jolla mouth pain treatment for you.
1. La Jolla Mouth Pain Treatment with a Bruxism Mouth Guard
In Dr. Georgaklis’ experience, bruxism is one of the most common reasons for mouth pain. If you struggle with the condition, you unconsciously clinch your jaw and grind your teeth. In turn, this can cause several types of pain. First, the outermost layer of your teeth may start to erode, exposing the softer and more sensitive dentin underneath. Second, the continual movement of your teeth can irritate your soft tissues, and you may develop sores on your tongue and the insides of your cheeks. A bruxism mouth guard is a custom-made device. You will usually wear the guard at night, and it will keep your teeth from touching.
2. Dental Infection May Cause a Toothache or Gum Sensitivity
As stated above, many patients assume that their discomfort is the result of dental decay. Though less common than bruxism, a cavity can certainly cause mouth pain. Your San Diego dentist can place a tooth-colored filling to strengthen your tooth without compromising the appearance of your smile. If the cavity goes unnoticed, decay may spread to the soft pulp inside your tooth or to your dental roots. In this case, root canal therapy may be the best option. Dr. Georgaklis can also provide ozone therapy for more effective treatment. In some cases, this therapy can eliminate your need for a root canal.
3. Oral Cancer Is a Serious Concern
Though rare, oral cancer is a grave concern if you are suffering from mouth pain. Oral cancer affects your soft tissues, including your gums, cheeks, tongue, palate, and throat. If you have developed chronic sores in these areas, you should schedule a checkup right away. Dr. Georgaklis will order a biopsy to test for cancer. He will also perform cancer screenings at your routine dental appointments. Please know that, in most cases, oral lesions are non-cancerous. However, oral cancer does spread quickly, so it is important to be proactive and get tested immediately. When your dentist catches cancer early, you will usually have a very positive prognosis.
4. Periodontal Disease and La Jolla Mouth Pain Treatment
Gum disease is another common cause of oral discomfort. Though this condition is not life threatening, as with oral cancer, it is important to seek treatment as soon as you experience mouth pain. Periodontal disease can spread quickly, leading to more gum recession, tooth loss, and bone degeneration. Dr. Georgaklis offers advanced treatments for gum disease. Our soft tissue lasers can eradicate bacteria with very little discomfort. Additionally, he is one of the few dentists in the area to offer all-natural ozone therapy. Along with other treatments, he will provide custom-made trays to deliver ozone gas directly to you gums. Ozone therapy will destroy bacteria and enhance the natural healing process.
Learn More about La Jolla Mouth Pain Treatments
Mouth pain may be a sign of a serious or even life threatening condition. Therefore, it is important to seek dental care as soon as possible. Fortunately, our diverse treatments can typically ease your discomfort and treat the underlying cause of your pain. Contact us today to schedule an appointment with George Georgaklis, DDS.