Toothaches can range from a dull ache to utterly unbearable pain. To find relief, it’s important to understand what’s causing your tooth pain so you can treat the root of the problem. Don’t let a toothache turn into a dental emergency—here’s how to tell the difference between minor toothaches and tooth nerve pain symptoms.
What’s Causing My Tooth Pain?
1: Tooth Decay
One of the most common reasons for toothaches is tooth decay caused by damage to a tooth’s surface. Harmful bacteria live in plaque and eat away at your tooth enamel, eventually forming forms cavities. If the bacteria reach the sensitive inside of your tooth, it causes pain. You will need to get a filling (or a dental crown, in severe cases) to protect the tooth from further decay.
2: Gum Disease
Plaque buildup causes chronic gum infections known as periodontal (gum) disease. The first stage of gum disease, gingivitis, causes your gums to become tender and inflamed, and also makes them bleed easily.
The advanced stages of periodontitis cause receding gums, which exposes the roots of your teeth. Since there’s no enamel on the roots of your teeth, this causes painful tooth sensitivity. Untreated gum disease can result in other serious complications like tooth loss and jaw bone loss, so immediate intervention is crucial to preserving your oral health.
3: Teeth Grinding or Clenching
Frequently grinding or clenching your teeth (bruxism) puts undue pressure on your teeth and jaw, which can lead to toothaches and TMJ disorders. Bruxism can also cause serious tooth damage such as chips, cracks, and enamel erosion. Treating teeth damaged by bruxism is necessary to relieve pain and prevent further complications.
If you grind your teeth at night, you’ll need to wear a mouthguard to protect your teeth and stop the pain. Reducing stress through exercise and meditation can also make you grind and clench your teeth less often.
4: Damaged Tooth or Restoration
Chipped or cracked teeth, as well as damaged fillings, crowns, or other restorations can also cause toothaches. If the damage exposes the pulp inside your tooth, you might experience symptoms of tooth nerve pain.
What starts out as sensitivity could turn into unbearable tooth pain if you don’t seek treatment right away. If you have pain along the gum line, pain that gets worse after eating, or pain in a single tooth that radiates to other parts of your mouth, it could be tooth nerve pain.
5: Wisdom Teeth
The third molars—more commonly known as wisdom teeth—often become impacted, meaning they don’t completely break through the gums. Impaction puts pressure on the rest of your teeth, which can cause tooth pain. It’s best to remove impacted wisdom teeth as soon as possible to prevent pain and other complications, like crowding.
6: Sinus Infection
If you’re experiencing nasal congestion, facial pressure, a sore throat, or a cough along with your toothache, then a sinus infection could be the cause. Sometimes pain from the pressure in your sinuses can radiate down to your teeth. If you suspect you have a sinus infection, speak with your doctor about treatment, and if the pain persists, see your dentist.
7: Oral Cancer
A toothache could be an early sign of oral cancer, since one of its symptoms is mouth pain that doesn’t go away. People who smoke, heavily drink alcohol, have HPV, and are over the age of 55 have the highest risk of oral cancer.
Other oral cancer symptoms include:
- A mouth sore that won’t heal
- White or red patches on the tongue, gums, inner cheeks, roof of the mouth, or back of the throat
- A lump or growth inside the mouth
- Difficulty swallowing, ear pain, and loose teeth
Schedule a consultation with your doctor or dentist right away if you are showing any signs of oral cancer. Early diagnosis is your best chance at successful treatment.
Treating Tooth Pain in Flagstaff
Don’t wait until a toothache becomes an emergency. No matter what’s causing your tooth pain, the experienced team at Country Club Dental can help. We can diagnose and treat all the dental problems that cause toothaches. If you have frequent toothaches or tooth sensitivity, give us a call at 928-526-4314 today to make an appointment.
Images used under creative commons license – commercial use (12/13/2022). Photo by Andrea Piacquadio on Pexels
