Most Common Reasons for Toothaches
Toothache is the worst. It will make anyone feel miserable. Anyone experiencing this pain want to find out the root cause.
Below are 10 common reasons for your discomfort:
10. Orthodontic Alignment
This only applies to those with braces, retainers, and other dental alignment systems. Don’t worry, pain or discomfort after a recent visit to the orthodontist is normal. Each adjustment is a step towards straight teeth, but sometimes the movement of teeth can be painful. To ease the pain, you can use an oral anesthetic, take over-the-counter pain relief medicine, use an icepack, or eat soft foods.
9. Misaligned Teeth or Impacted Wisdom Teeth
Aches and pains can come from misaligned teeth or impacted wisdom teeth. This is because they can press against other teeth, even push them out of line. These issues should be brought to the attention of your dentist. Impacted wisdom teeth will need to be surgically removed because they don’t have enough room to fully erupt. For misaligned teeth, an orthodontic solution will likely be proposed.
8. Improper Brushing or Flossing
Brushing and flossing is necessary to maintain good oral health. But using too much force can cause irritated, inflamed, and/or bleeding gums. Vigorous brushing can cause your gums to recede and make teeth unstable, resulting in more pain. Changing brushing habits and using a soft-bristle toothbrush can usually stop this kind of toothache.
7. Teeth Grinding
Teeth grinding, also known as bruxism, is a common cause of tooth, jaw, neck, and related muscle pain. Many people who grind their teeth are unaware of this because it usually occurs during sleep or during stress. If left untreated, chronic teeth grinding can damage crown and fillings, and wear away enamel, putting your teeth at increased first of infection or decay. If your bruxism is during sleep, a custom mouthguard can be made to be worn during sleep to relieve stress put on your teeth and jaw. If your bruxism is due to stress, stress management techniques may be needed.
6. Damaged Fillings of Dental Sealant
Dental fillings that cover deep pits, grooves, or fractures in teeth protect vulnerable parts of the tooth. Damaged filings or sealants expose the sensitive parts of teeth to extreme temperatures, food particle, and bacteria. This can result in dull to sharp pain. If your filling or sealant is damaged, book an emergency appointment with your dentist to have it fixed before the vulnerable parts of your tooth suffer further damage or decay.
5. Temperature Sensitivity
Tooth sensitivity is a common dental problem that involves sharp tooth pain when eating something hot or cold. This is from worn down enamel or receded gums exposing the dentin (layer below the enamel). Thankfully, there are toothpastes specific designed for people with sensitive teeth.
4. Tooth Fractures
Our teeth are hard enough to withstand a good amount of force but they are not unbreakable. There are different degrees of severity associated with dental fractures. Sometimes fractures make their way to the middle of the tooth where the nerve endings are located causing excruciating pain. This may not happen directly after the tooth is chipped or damaged, but can develop overtime. This is why you should see your dentist as soon as possible after all fractures.
3. Gum Disease
Gum disease, also know as gingivitis, is red, swollen, or bleeding gums cause by bacteria. If caught early, gingivitis can be reverse and healed with proper oral hygiene. But if left untreated, gingivitis can worsen. Teeth, gums, and bone could be damaged or lost, and surgical measures may be needed as treatment.
2. Tooth Abscess
When tooth decay is left untreated, it can advance to the point where an abscess (a pocket of pus) forms around the tooth’s root due to bacterial infection. This will result in severe, persistent, throbbing pain that can radiate to the the surrounding teeth, jawbone, and/or neck. This is a very serious issue and needs to be professionally dealt with as soon as possible to prevent further bone and tissue loss.
1. Tooth Decay
Tooth decay is the most common reason for painful toothache. People experience pain when decay has reached the dentin. Once the dentin is damaged, the tooth becomes very sensitive and a cavity has developed. If the pain advances from an ache to a sharp pain, the tooth decay may have reached the center of the tooth. These issues need to be addresses as soon as possible to prevent further decay.
A simple examination can determine what’s going on. If you are experiencing any of theses symptoms described above Contact Our Office and Schedule an Appointment.
-Fidelity Dental P.A.
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