Sprained Tooth Syndrome is caused by strong bilateral opposing vector forces from opposing sides of the ligaments that support the tooth to become stretched and inflamed to the point of creating chronic pain and discomfort for the patient.
Strained tooth syndrome is different than simply biting too hard on a hard or tough food and hurting it momentarily. If the pain and discomfort subsides afterwards, then it isn’t strained.
However, if you notice a dull ache, pain, or soreness when chewing or in your gum pockets along with temperature sensitivity and occasional headaches there could be a sprained tooth. Obviously, it’s easiest to check for cavities and other problems by taking x-rays, temperature tests, percuss, and bite tests to rule out any other issues.
Sprained Tooth Syndrome
Just like when ligaments are stretched and damaged in the ankle or other body part connected to bone, the same can happen with the ligaments connected from your teeth to the jaw bone. The strain and inflammation can be caused by:
- Cold, sinus problems, and allergies
- Fillings / Crowns being overfilled or underfilled
- Tooth trauma from hard objects
- Teeth drifting from loose gums or pressure
- Tooth infections
- Damage, wear, and strain on the working side teeth
Sprained Tooth Healing Time
Since we don’t chew directly up and down, there is a place for the teeth to grind and wiggle. The molars are highly susceptible and there are ways to protect your teeth including using a nighttime mouthguard or through orthodontic repositioning. Since the mouth is the fastest healing part of the body, depending on your age and health, it may only take about a week of care to heal a sprained tooth.
What Does a Sprained Tooth Feel Like?
The first thing a patient notices when they sprain their tooth is pain. As your dentist, we check to make sure there isn’t a ligament sprain by asking whether the pain is dull or achy. If the pain is sharp and localized in one tooth, then it’s most likely sprained. If the pain is spread over a larger area, then it’s more likely an indication of infection or toothache.
Preventing Returning Strained Tooth Syndrome
The best care system to prevent strained tooth syndrome is to maintain consistent dental hygiene on a daily basis. Simple follow these instructions:
- Floss once or twice a day
- Brush your teeth twice a day for two minutes (preferably in the morning as soon as you wake up and before you go to bed)
- Avoid mouthwash
Even with proper dental hygiene, it may not be enough to cure a strained tooth.
What To Do If You Have a Sprained Tooth
First things first, let’s rule out all other possibilities at the dentist. Once you’ve done that, we can assess how bad the “tooth strain” is and provide a proper diagnosis and solution to help you overcome any discomfort and pain you’re experiencing.
