Reasons your teeth are causing you pain
Mae West knew how difficult it was to overcome a toothache. She said, “Love conquers all things except poverty and a toothache.”
Hardly anything is more painful than a toothache. Maybe your pain comes when you are chewing. Perhaps you are particularly sensitive to hot or cold foods and drinks. Maybe you have bleeding or pus around a tooth or your gums that cause pain. Maybe your jaw or gums hurt and are swollen.
A wide variety of issues can cause tooth pain. Your dentist may perform a comprehensive examination of your mouth to ensure the source of your pain is correctly diagnosed.
Here are the most common reasons for tooth pain.
- Cavity
One common cause for a painful tooth is a cavity. A cavity occurs when tooth material break down due to plaque and bacteria buildup. The protective enamel of the tooth decays and exposes the more sensitive inner portion, which can result in painful sensations. Your dentist can fill the cavity, reduce the exposure to the inner portion of your tooth, and eliminate your pain. - Tooth wear
Another reason you may be in pain is because of tooth wear. Physical movement such as tooth grinding can cause tooth wear. The enamel from your teeth can also be worn down because of acid erosion. Of course, you are probably not using acid as a mouth wash, but perhaps you are consuming a lot of soda pop or fruit drinks. Did you know that the acid in some fruit drinks is more erosive than even battery acid? Those with acid reflux and gastrointestinal problems also tend to have their teeth wear down faster than others. Regardless of the cause, if the enamel of your tooth wears down by either movement or acid erosion, the inner part of the tooth will be exposed. This may be why you are having so much tooth pain. - Cracks
Cracks forming in your teeth could also cause your tooth pain. These cracks could cause the nerves to be exposed, and you guessed it, that can cause pain. - Infections
Perhaps your pain is caused by an infection in, around or below the tooth. These infections can be the result of tooth decay, cracks, or other trauma. They can be extremely painful and, if left untreated, may be life-threatening. - Sinus inflammation
Your tooth pain could be coming from your sinuses. If you have a sinus infection or your sinuses are inflamed, sometimes this pressure can trigger discomfort in the roots of your upper molars. Treating your sinus infection could allow your teeth to feel better. - Injury
Perhaps your pain is the result of an injury to the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). Pain from a deeper structure in the mouth may be passed along the nerves and be felt in your tooth.
If you have tooth pain, there can be a variety of reasons. Visit your dentist immediately to diagnose the cause of your pain.
