unexplained tooth/gum discomfort for months.. any suggestions?
March 15, 2019 7:42 AM Subscribe
hey, guys/gals
starting back in august 2018 i had started to get an unexplained gum pain behind my second upper (right side) molar, and also i had a cavity between my 1st and 2nd molar. i had the cavity filled which was causing pain at the time. but the discomfort behind my 2nd molar is always there. i had it checked to see if it was a wisdom tooth, but the xray revealed i did not have one. i have had this problem for 6 months now, i am not in agony, but pshchologically i am suffering. has anyone experienced anything like this?
to elaborate on this, it comes and goes and it feels more like a pressure than a pain. scale of 1-10 it is normally at 2-4 its nagging and bloody annoying and it stops me from enjoying life. i have been back to the dentists and they say theres nothing there. that could be causing this discomfort
i am convinced it is something to do with the cavity i had between the 1st and 2nd molar that has affected the surrounding gum, and sometimes rarely when i drink water my gums on the right side can get a little bit sensitive
to elaborate on this, it comes and goes and it feels more like a pressure than a pain. scale of 1-10 it is normally at 2-4 its nagging and bloody annoying and it stops me from enjoying life. i have been back to the dentists and they say theres nothing there. that could be causing this discomfort
i am convinced it is something to do with the cavity i had between the 1st and 2nd molar that has affected the surrounding gum, and sometimes rarely when i drink water my gums on the right side can get a little bit sensitive
Maybe it’s the filling. Is it causing food to get trapped between your teeth? I had this issue when I got a filling between my teeth. Food was always getting trapped in there more than usual. They ended modifying the filling a bit to stop the food trap.
posted by hazel79 at 7:55 AM on March 15, 2019
posted by hazel79 at 7:55 AM on March 15, 2019
Sinus infection?
posted by AugustWest at 8:09 AM on March 15, 2019 [2 favorites]
posted by AugustWest at 8:09 AM on March 15, 2019 [2 favorites]
Could it be a canker sore? There is something there (an ulcer), but there's not really anything a dentist can do about it, so maybe that's what they're trying to say. Does the pain come and go?
posted by kevinbelt at 8:19 AM on March 15, 2019
posted by kevinbelt at 8:19 AM on March 15, 2019
I saw my dentist this week about something very similar. Four months ago I had a filling in a molar, but I'm still getting discomfort (not pain, just discomfort) in the same area, which is affected by biting on things, as well as hot and cold food and drink at times (not always).
An X-ray showed no cavity or any other issue. The dentist thinks it's more likely to be where there's a combination of both gum and enamel erosion, leading to the sensitive part of the tooth becoming exposed. He recommended a toothpaste for sensitive teeth and to come back if it doesn't improve.
FWIW, I've found using a water flosser over the last six months, every single day, has made a huge difference in my overall gum health. I'm hoping that this, combined with the sensitive toothpaste, will do the trick.
posted by essexjan at 8:23 AM on March 15, 2019 [2 favorites]
An X-ray showed no cavity or any other issue. The dentist thinks it's more likely to be where there's a combination of both gum and enamel erosion, leading to the sensitive part of the tooth becoming exposed. He recommended a toothpaste for sensitive teeth and to come back if it doesn't improve.
FWIW, I've found using a water flosser over the last six months, every single day, has made a huge difference in my overall gum health. I'm hoping that this, combined with the sensitive toothpaste, will do the trick.
posted by essexjan at 8:23 AM on March 15, 2019 [2 favorites]
I had this and only got to the bottom of it after getting a second opinion from another dentist. I'd encourage you to do that.
posted by sockermom at 9:38 AM on March 15, 2019
posted by sockermom at 9:38 AM on March 15, 2019
From a Dentist's perspective, there are so many things that could contribute to what you are describing that I would fear for any action you would take based on anecdotal evidence from the internet that is not: "have it examined by another dentist".
Pain is subjective. Your 2-4 is someone else's 8 and vice-versa, but it's real and should not be discounted. In the broadest, general terms, pressure sensitivity is usually associated with something going on around a tooth, rather than within it, and you didn't mention any periodontal (gum) evaluation during the previous treatment of the area. You might not be able to see a periodontist without a referral, and a second general dentist should be able to rule out any other things.
posted by OHenryPacey at 9:43 AM on March 15, 2019 [1 favorite]
Pain is subjective. Your 2-4 is someone else's 8 and vice-versa, but it's real and should not be discounted. In the broadest, general terms, pressure sensitivity is usually associated with something going on around a tooth, rather than within it, and you didn't mention any periodontal (gum) evaluation during the previous treatment of the area. You might not be able to see a periodontist without a referral, and a second general dentist should be able to rule out any other things.
posted by OHenryPacey at 9:43 AM on March 15, 2019 [1 favorite]
I'd get a second opinion, and then also see an ear, nose & throat specialist. I had an ear infection that resulted in pain that felt like it was right in my furthest-back molar, and the dentist wasn't able to see any problems from the dental side of things.
posted by xingcat at 10:24 AM on March 15, 2019 [1 favorite]
posted by xingcat at 10:24 AM on March 15, 2019 [1 favorite]
I get a similar pain in my teeth when my sinuses are really swollen or there is a major swing in barometric pressure.
That's something my dentist can do nothing about, other than suggesting to talk to my primary, and possibly see an ENT. I'm currently on a steroid nasal spray to help combat the pressure and pain, but that all came from my primary.
It's worth talking to your primary about, especially when you are experiencing the pain, and they can evaluate whether it's sinus related.
posted by RhysPenbras at 8:18 AM on March 18, 2019
That's something my dentist can do nothing about, other than suggesting to talk to my primary, and possibly see an ENT. I'm currently on a steroid nasal spray to help combat the pressure and pain, but that all came from my primary.
It's worth talking to your primary about, especially when you are experiencing the pain, and they can evaluate whether it's sinus related.
posted by RhysPenbras at 8:18 AM on March 18, 2019
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posted by thelonius at 7:49 AM on March 15, 2019 [1 favorite]