Key Takeaways
- A dental ligament injury, sometimes described as a bruised tooth ligament, can happen after trauma, grinding, biting something hard, or putting too much pressure on a tooth.
- Common symptoms include a dull ache, tenderness, or tooth pain that becomes more noticeable when biting or chewing.
- Minor tooth ligament injuries might heal on their own, although recovery can take anywhere from several days to several weeks.
- Tooth pain that gets worse, doesn’t improve, or comes with swelling or other concerning symptoms should be checked by a dentist.
- Treatment depends on the cause and may include resting the tooth, adjusting your bite, wearing a night guard, or temporarily splinting a loose tooth.
What is a Dental Ligament Injury?
Have you ever bitten down and noticed a tooth suddenly feels tender, sore, or just a bit off? If so, you could be dealing with a dental ligament injury. This can happen when the tiny fibers that help hold your teeth securely in your jaw become irritated, stretched, or somehow damaged.
Fortunately, a lot of dental ligament injuries can heal with the right treatment and care, but it’s still important to know what caused the injury and how serious it is. Continue reading, and we’ll talk about common symptoms, causes, treatment options, and when that sore tooth might need a closer look. If you need help with a dental ligament injury in the Salt Lake area, we can help you. We have multiple offices in and around Salt Lake City for you to choose from, including in Salt Lake City and South Jordan, near Sandy, West Valley, and Bountiful.
What Causes a Dental Ligament Injury?
A dental ligament injury can happen from one sudden event or from repeated pressure over time. Getting hit in the mouth, falling, or unexpectedly biting down on something hard can irritate or damage the periodontal ligament around the tooth. Grinding or clenching your teeth can also put repeated stress on the area. In some cases, even a filling, brown, or other dental work that leaves one tooth hitting harder than the others can cause the ligament to become sore and inflamed.
What are the Tooth Ligament Damage Symptoms?
A dental ligament injury doesn’t always cause obvious damage you can see. The symptoms can vary quite a bit, depending on how much the periodontal ligament has been irritated or injured.
Common dental ligament injury symptoms include:
- Pain or tenderness when biting or chewing
- A tooth that feels sore or bruised
- Sensitivity to pressure or touch
- A tooth that feels slightly loose
- Swelling or tenderness around the tooth
- A feeling that the tooth is sitting higher than the surrounding teeth
- Pain or discomfort that lingers after a mouth injury
Because these symptoms can also happen when dealing with a cracked tooth, infection, or other dental issue, schedule an appointment with your dentist as soon as possible if you’re experiencing significant pain that won’t go away.
When is Ongoing Tooth Pain an Emergency?
An occasional sensitive tooth isn’t unusual, but pain that sticks around or keeps getting worse deserves more attention. So how do you know when it’s time to stop waiting and get help? Pain that keeps getting worse instead of gradually improving is a really big indicator. Swelling that starts spreading into your face or neck, or anything that makes it difficult to breathe or swallow, can be a serious emergency and should be treated right away.
- Significant or worsening swelling
- Fever
- Pus or a bad taste in your mouth
- Severe or increasing tooth pain
- A tooth that feels loose or has moved out of position
How do you Heal from Ongoing Tooth Pain?
When a tooth has been hurting for days, it’s tempting to keep poking at it or chewing on it to see if it still hurts. But if the pain comes from an irritated or injured periodontal ligament, sometimes the best thing you can do is give the tooth a break. Eating softer foods and chewing on the other side can reduce pressure while the ligament heals.
The important thing is that the pain should gradually get better. If it stays the same, gets worse, or keeps coming back, something more serious could be causing it, such as an infection or cracked tooth. Your dentist or periodontist can determine with a closer look whether the tooth is simply needing more time or could use additional treatment.
Possible Treatment Options
The right kind of treatment is going to depend on what caused it and how much the tooth and surrounding tissue were affected. Here’s a list of the most common treatment options for a dental ligament injury.
- Letting the tooth rest: Avoid chewing on hard or crunchy foods to reduce pressure on the ligament and give the irritated tissues a chance to settle down and heal.
- Bite adjustment: Sometimes a tooth takes more pressure than the teeth around it, especially after dental work or any injury. Your dentist might make a small adjustment so the tooth isn’t repeatedly taking the brunt of your bite.
- Splinting the tooth: If the tooth has become loose because of an injury, a dentist might temporarily attach it to neighboring teeth. This provides extra stability while the ligament and surrounding tissue heal.
- Pain management: Over-the-counter pain meds might help with soreness and inflammation. It won’t fix the underlying problem but can help with discomfort.
- Treating another dental issue: Not all ongoing pain is caused by the ligament itself. A tooth that is damaged inside, cracked, or has an infection will likely require further treatment.
- Wearing a night guard: If you grind or clench your teeth while you sleep, the repeated pressure can keep an irritated periodontal ligament from getting the break it needs. A dentist might recommend a custom night guard to reduce stress on the affected tooth.
Give Your Injured Dental Ligament Time to Heal
A bruised tooth ligament can make what might look like a healthy tooth surprisingly uncomfortable, especially when you bite or chew. While minor injured dental ligaments can settle down with time, pain that sticks around is definitely worth getting checked out.
If your tooth pain isn’t improving or something just doesn’t feel right, come see us at Utah Periodontal Specialists. Patients continue to choose our team because we take the time to understand what’s causing the problem, clearly explain their options, and provide specialized periodontal care without making you feel totally overwhelmed. Contact our friendly team to schedule a visit at our Salt Lake City or South Jordan location.
FAQs
Can Tooth Ligaments Heal on Their Own?
Yes, minor injuries to the periodontal ligament can sometimes heal on their own if the tooth is protected from continued pressure or trauma. More serious injuries or pain that doesn’t improve should be evaluated by a dentist.
How Long Does It Take Tooth Ligaments to Heal?
A mildly irritated tooth ligament can start feeling better within days, but healing can take several weeks depending on the injury. More significant trauma may take longer and require follow-up care.
What Does Tooth Ligament Pain Feel Like?
Tooth ligament pain often feels like soreness, tenderness, or a dull ache around a specific tooth. The tooth may be especially sensitive when you bite down or chew.
Does Tooth Ligament Damage Show Up on X-Rays?
Not always. The periodontal ligament itself may not show obvious damage on a standard dental X-ray, especially soon after an injury. However, X-rays can help a dentist look for changes around
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