What Your Mouth Pain Means

Mouth pain symptoms

Mouth pain can be severe and debilitating to the point of interfering with necessary activities like eating and drinking. Several structures in the mouth can be impacted by pain, including the teeth, gums, tongue, and lips. Pain may be the only issue, but other bothersome symptoms are often present, and some causes of mouth pain can be dangerous to overall health. It may be difficult to get rid of mouth pain, but some causes will resolve with medical or dental treatment or even on their own.

Common characteristics and accompanying symptoms of mouth pain

If you're experiencing mouth pain, it is also likely to experience:

• Red, bleeding gums
• Gums pulling away from teeth
• Discolored teeth
• Discolored tongue
• Gum swelling
• Bad-smelling breath
• Ulcers
• Dry mouth
• Pain when biting down or with hot and cold foods
• Abnormal taste in the mouth
• Difficulty swallowing

Causes of mouth pain

A few main causes of mouth pain are described below in order from most to least common. These include injury, dental disease, medical conditions and cancer.

Injury

Mouth pain after an injury, such as during a sports game or in a car accident, may occur due to a cut or tooth damage.

Chronic dental disease

Chronic gum and tooth disease, often due to poor oral hygiene, can lead to pain in the gums. The progressing disease causes a predisposition to infections, which can worsen pain and result in dangerous complications.

• Cavities: Buildup of plaque from a combination of food and bacteria will eventually cause tooth decay. As cavities progress, tooth pain occurs with chewing and exposure to hot and cold temperatures.
• Gum disease: Plaque can also lead to chronic gum inflammation, ultimately causing the gums to pull away from the teeth. The gums are often swollen, red, and painful.
• Dry socket may occur after a dental extraction (tooth pull). It can cause pain, bad breath, and other symptoms.

Medical conditions

Certain medical conditions that affect the mouth can lead to pain.

• Oral infection: Cold sores, from the herpes virus, can cause painful sores on the gums, lips, or other parts of the mouth. A related but rare condition is herpetic stomatitis, an oral herpes infection that causes fever and red and inflamed gums.
• Chronic mouth conditions: Persistent mouth pain can occur without a clear underlying cause (burning mouth syndrome). The tongue and roof of the mouth are typically affected, and other oral symptoms can occur, such as dryness. Mouth pain can also be caused by recurring "canker sores."
• Systemic medical conditions: Multiple medical problems can cause mouth pain, including nutritional deficiencies and some autoimmune conditions.
• Burning mouth syndrome (BMS): A chronic pain syndrome that causes burning pain or sensation in your mouth.

Mouth pain treatments and relief

Many causes of mouth pain are chronic and can be evaluated on a non-urgent basis. However, an acute injury or spreading infection can have complications if untreated.

At-home treatments for mouth pain

There are a few methods you can try at home to help alleviate your mouth pain.

• Avoid sugary foods and drinks: These will worsen cavities and gum disease.
• Practice good dental hygiene: To prevent progression of any dental disease, brush twice daily (preferably with a motorized toothbrush) and floss once a day.
• Address sensitivity: Try using a toothpaste for sensitive teeth if you are having tooth pain, and avoid hot and cold foods.
• Avoid smoking and spicy foods: These can worsen mouth pain.
• Manage stress: Try meditation or other strategies to mitigate anxiety, since stress may worsen burning mouth syndrome and gum disease.
• Drink more water or use ice: If your mouth pain is associated with dryness, increase your fluid intake or suck on ice chips.

It's important to consider some over-the-counter (OTC) treatment options that could alleviate your symptoms:

• For gum inflammation and dental sensitivity: An anti-inflammatory oral gel can provide quick relief for sore gums. Try a product containing benzocaine or lidocaine.
• For dry mouth and general discomfort: A moisturizing mouth spray can help keep your mouth hydrated, which is especially useful if you're experiencing dry mouth alongside your pain.
• For tooth sensitivity: Using a toothpaste designed for sensitive teeth can help reduce pain triggered by hot or cold foods.