Fix Tooth Pain & Toothache
When you experience throbbing in your teeth or you have other toothaches, your teeth are trying to let you know there is a problem. Often the tooth pain can be from infections, inflammation, or trauma to the mouth. People of all ages can experience toothaches, but there are eight main reasons for the tooth pain. After a dentist examines your mouth, either with or without x-rays, the dentist can determine the best treatment plan to stop the pain and restore your mouth to good health.
- Tooth decay
When your tooth enamel has been damaged and bacteria has eroded the tooth, you may notice small dark spots on your teeth. These could actually be small holes or cavities which dentists can repair.
- Tooth abscess
When you have noticed a lump in your gum tissue that may be tender or even warm to the touch, that lump may actually be a pocket of bacteria. The abscess can be from infection, inflammation or dead pulp tissue.
- Tooth fracture
If you have chipped, cracked or broken a tooth, the pain can be from the nerve tissue inside the tooth. When the hard enamel is no longer protecting the tooth, the sensitive inside of the tooth is without defense. Whether this damage to the tooth is gradual from teeth grinding, or more instantaneous from an accident, the inside of the tooth is exposed to bacteria, food and drinks.
- Damaged filling
If you have already addressed a cavity with a dental filling, the filling may come loose over time or become damaged from biting and chewing. Fillings can even pop out of place and the dentist can replace the old one with a new, stable one.
- Infected gums
Gum disease or periodontitis starts as an innocent gum infection or gingivitis but it leads to tooth loss. The infection in the gums around the tooth can cause a toothache when the bacteria builds up around the root. The infection can damage the bone that holds the tooth in place and even create cavities along the gumline.
- Clenching or grinding
Bruxism or grinding your teeth, either asleep or awake, creates stress on the teeth, gums and jaw. The added stress from bruxism or even repeated clenching leads to cavities, tooth pain and teeth damage. You may end up cracking your tooth or you may experience tooth erosion which will cause toothaches.
- Loose crown
If you have a crown in place to treat a damaged tooth and you are experiencing tooth pain at that site again, the dentist will need to inspect the crown. Depending on the location of the crown in your mouth and the material of the crown, the crown will eventually need to be replaced over time from general wear and tear. Without addressing the loose crown, the toothache can get worse with infection.
- Tooth eruption
Especially in younger people, tooth pain can come from new teeth growing into the mouth. Sometimes the pain extends beyond the new tooth in the surrounding teeth, gums, and jaw bone depending on the size and location of the new tooth. Not all teeth grow through the gums without issue and some can even damage the surrounding teeth.
More on Fixing Teeth : Fix Cracked Teeth