All the components of your mouth work together to accomplish biting, chewing, speaking, and emoting. Because of the complexity of the mouth, a toothache can cause imbalance in the way the mouth functions. Ultimately, what begins as a toothache could lead to serious issues with oral health, function, and appearance, as well as overall health.

What causes toothaches?

Pain alerts you that your body needs assistance–something is wrong. Every natural tooth in your mouth has nerves that convey information to the brain. When pain occurs in a tooth’s crown or root, the cause could be as simple as debris lodged between two teeth or as complex as an apical abscess.

One widespread toothache cause is gum disease. The CDC reports that nearly half of Americans have some level of gum disease, ranging from mild gingivitis to advanced periodontitis. If your gums bleed when you brush your teeth; if they appear red or swollen; if your breath smells bad, even after brushing and flossing, you may have gum disease.

Common Toothache Causes

• Food lodged between teeth: Try flossing! Rinse your mouth with water.
• Gum disease: Dr. Bridges or a dental hygienist can treat gum disease.
• Cavities: You’ll need diagnosis, followed by a filling, inlay, onlay, or crown.
• Cracks: The dentist repairs cracks with dental crowns, usually.
• Chips: A chipped tooth that causes pain may need a crown, though in some cases bonding or a veneer can solve the issue.
• Thin enamel: If using sensitivity toothpaste does not eliminate the discomfort, onding or dental crowns might be recommended.
• Internal infection: An internally infected tooth will require root canal therapy or extraction, if the damage is beyond repair.
• Abscesses: Depending on the type of abscess, treatment ranges from root canal therapy to apicoectomy.
• Gum recession: If using sensitivity toothpaste is ineffective for pain reduction, the dentist may suggest crowns.
• Impaction: Most commonly, impaction occurs in wisdom teeth, AKA third molars. Extraction is usually the best solution.
• Misalignment: Orthodontics or Invisalign can straighten teeth, from root to crown.
• TMJ disorder: Imbalance in the jaw joints causes many types of pain, including toothaches. TMJ therapy usually involves wearing a special appliance at night.
• Bruxism (teeth grinding): Gnashing and grinding teeth, which often occurs while a person sleeps, causes chips, cracks, crazing, and enamel wear. To end bruxism, Dr. Bridges usually recommends wearing a nightguard that keeps upper and lower teeth from touching. Of course, bruxism is a cause of dental pain, but the remedy depends upon the type of damage.

How to End Dental Pain for Good

If you’ve thoroughly flossed, rinsed, and brushed, and if you’ve used sensitivity toothpaste to no avail, it’s time to visit Dr. Matthew Bridges and the friendly team at Chisholm Trail Smile Center in Duncan, OK. At your consultation, Dr. Bridges will ask questions about your pain to determine when it began and what it feels like. Then he’ll perform a comprehensive oral exam and take x-rays to make a diagnosis. From there, we will discuss a treatment plan to eliminate your toothache, so you can enjoy comfortable dental function once again!

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