Eating a nutritious snack, talking to a friend, or smiling at a coworker. Every day we use our teeth to interact with the world, so tooth pain can be difficult to ignore. Understanding toothache causes can help you seek the right restorative dentistry treatment in the present and prevent additional issues in the future.
When you visit Chisholm Trail Smile Center, our team will provide a thorough examination of your teeth and gums to determine what’s causing your toothache. If you are experiencing persistent and extreme pain, contact our office now to schedule an emergency visit.
Knowing the source of your discomfort is the first step in alleviating the pain and getting back to your everyday life. Here are the top 10 toothache causes:
1. Cavities
The number one cause of tooth pain is a cavity. Excessive plaque build-up causes the enamel on your tooth to diminish, leaving the inner, sensitive parts of the tooth vulnerable. When a cavity has become severe, intense pain and sensitivity is common.
2. Gum Disease/Infection
Infected or diseased gums are one of the top toothache causes. Periodontitis affects the tissues surrounding your teeth, causing gums to swell and bleed. In most cases, gum disease causes tooth sensitivity as it pulls the gingiva away from the tooth roots.
3. Wisdom Teeth
Impacted or erupting wisdom teeth can cause pain in the surrounding teeth, gums, and the jaw. It is often necessary to remove the teeth to stop pain and prevent overcrowding.
4. Cracked Tooth
Cracked teeth can result from grinding or biting into something hard like ice or candy. Oftentimes the cracks are too small to see with the naked eye, so a dental x-ray is necessary. To protect the tooth from further damage, and reduce your pain, Dr. Bridges may recommend dental bonding or a dental crown.
5. Tooth Abscess
An abscess is a pocket of pus caused by a bacterial infection in the tooth. It is important to seek medical help for an abscess right away because the infection can spread to other parts of the body and serious complications can occur if left untreated.
6. Teeth Grinding
Bruxism, or teeth grinding, can have several causes, such as stress, sleep disorders, and poor lifestyle habits. The amount of pressure placed on the teeth when they are rubbed together is immense and can lead to damage, like cracked teeth, and pain. We often recommend a mouth guard for patients who grind their teeth at night.
7. Damaged Filling
A broken filling can be a source of tooth sensitivity. This is not an emergency, but only a dentist can fix a damaged filling, so the sooner you book an appointment, the better.
8. Migraine
Sometimes your tooth pain isn’t from your tooth at all. Migraine pain can radiate throughout your head and face, causing you to mistakenly believe you have a toothache. However, if your tooth pain does not subside when your migraine does, schedule an appointment with your dentist.
9. Sinus Infection
If it’s your upper teeth on both sides of your face that are causing your pain, chronic sinusitis could be the cause. Co-symptoms include nasal congestion, fever, fatigue, etc. Over-the-counter pain medications should help relieve this type of toothache.
10. Sensitive Teeth
Sensitive teeth occur when the enamel becomes worn down and dentin is exposed. This can be caused by over-brushing, trauma, or other causes you can discuss with your dentist. He or she may recommend a special toothpaste for sensitive teeth or an in-office treatment.
What To Do Next
The best way to deal with whatever is causing your tooth pain is to book an appointment with your local dentist.
Chisholm Trail Smile Center is located in Duncan, OK and you can reach us at (580) 255-4880.
