Toothaches are so painful that they can grind everything else in your day-to-day life to a standstill. There are a variety of potential causes for toothaches and it’s important to determine what the cause is so that you can get the right treatment. Often times when you end up needing dental assistance, it’s better to get treatment sooner than later. Here are some causes of toothaches.
Impacted Wisdom Teeth
Wisdom teeth can cause a lot of problems like overcrowding and toothaches, even infected gums and roots. Sometimes, when wisdom teeth begin to come out, there is not enough room for them to grow into the mouth, which causes them to be impacted. When the teeth try to grow in the crowded space, this can lead to a lot of pain. The growing teeth push against the neighboring teeth and can even cause them to become misaligned. Make sure to visit your dentist if you experience pain towards the back of your teeth because it may be caused by an impacted wisdom tooth.
Improper Brushing or Flossing
Brushing your teeth and flossing are really important to a good dental care routine. But it’s more important to do these the right way. Brushing your teeth or flossing the wrong way can cause damage to your teeth and gums and lead to toothaches. An example of this is when you put too much pressure while brushing or flossing and end up being too rigorous. This can lead to bleeding and inflamed gums which will end up causing pain around the teeth. Your dentist can help make sure you brush and floss the correct way.
Teeth Grinding
Teeth grinding, also called bruxism, is generally something people do while they sleep and can be hard to stop. When you grind your teeth, the excessive jaw-clenching and pressure on the teeth can cause pain. This can also lead to more serious issues such as cracked teeth and a sore jaw. One way to prevent tooth grinding is to wear a mouth guard to sleep. This will help you relax your jaw while you sleep and prevent any potential toothaches.
Sensitivity to Coldness or Hotness
Have you ever experienced a toothache after drinking an ice-cold drink or a hot coffee? Temperature sensitivity can cause a sharp but a temporary toothache. This is generally a sign of tooth sensitivity due to worn down tooth enamel. If you experience a toothache after having foods or drinks that are hot or cold, make sure to tell your dentist so he or she can check for underlying issues causing the sensitivity.
Gum Disease
Gum disease can cause a toothache when the gums around the tooth become inflamed and painful. Gum disease is characterized by bleeding and pain in the mouth. Since your teeth rest in your gums, inflamed gums will hurt around the tooth, causing the toothache. If gum disease is left untreated, it can even lead to tooth loss. Make sure to take care of your gums and visit your dentist if you experience pain or bleeding.
Cavity
Finally, one cause for a toothache is a cavity. When the tooth decays and damages the inner layer of the tooth (dentin), the tooth becomes really sensitive and begins to hurt. A decaying tooth can cause a sharp and consistent pain in the impacted tooth. It is really important to floss and brush your teeth regularly so that you can prevent tooth decay before a cavity can develop. Getting a cavity cleaned and filled early can prevent further tooth pain, infections, and possible root canals.
If you experience a toothache, make sure to visit your dentist as soon as possible. Because there are a variety of causes for toothaches, your dentist will be the best person to find the cause of a toothache and fix the issue.
A great dental team is just as important to your oral health as a medical doctor is to your health. Make sure your dental care team has the expertise and experience necessary to deal with any dental issue that could come your way. Dr. Hagerman of Family & Cosmetic Dentistry offers these qualities along with a professional and welcoming environment to every patient. Call (651) 646-2392 to make an appointment today.