5 Common Causes of Tooth Pain

Pain in your teeth or jaws can interfere with your daily routine or disturb a good night’s sleep. Tooth pain can range from a dull ache to throbbing pain, but when your body initiates a pain response, it’s important to understand why. The best way to find out what’s causing your discomfort is to visit your dentist who can diagnose the issue and decide on the treatment you require. To give you a better understanding of what could be causing your dental discomfort, below is a list of the five most common causes of tooth pain.

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Tooth Decay

If it’s been a while since you’ve seen a dentist, or you haven’t been doing a stellar job with your oral hygiene, the cause of your tooth pain could be a cavity. Tooth decay is one of the most common causes of tooth pain and can have different degrees of severity.

Cause of Tooth Decay

A cavity is caused by plaque and bacteria that act as an acid on your teeth. Eventually, the acid starts to dissolve tooth enamel and causes weak spots and tiny holes, which lead to the formation of cavities. As the decay progresses, it can reach the next layer of your tooth called dentin. This can cause your tooth to feel sensitive and maybe even sore. Another indication that a cavity is starting to form is if you experience tooth sensitivity to sweets like candy and chocolate.

Treatment for Tooth Decay

Treatment of tooth decay can range from a simple tooth-colored filling to a porcelain crown. If you’ve been diagnosed with a cavity and are only experiencing an occasional toothache, don’t wait to get it filled until it hurts. When a cavity hurts, it indicates that the decay is significant and may require a more extensive filling or even a crown. Treating a cavity when it’s small with a simple filling is better for your tooth and wallet.

Dental Abscess

A dental abscess is a severe infection located at the root of a tooth or between the gum and tooth. Once bacteria builds up inside the nerve of your tooth, the infection eventually drains out of the tip of your tooth root. The infected tooth can also develop a pocket of pus. If not treated early, the infection can spread to the surrounding bones. Although your dental pain may come and go, it’s essential to take this seriously with an infection so close to your brain.

Causes of a Dental Abscess

A dental infection can be caused by several factors, including gum disease, tooth decay, and/or injury to the tooth. Only your dentist can diagnose an abscessed tooth, but some of the symptoms you may experience with a dental infection would include:

Fever
A pimple-like bump noticed on the gum line by the tooth
Facial swelling
Severe and throbbing tooth pain
Swollen glands in your neck
Foul-smelling breath
Tooth sensitivity-specifically to hot or cold drinks and food
An overall feeling of being ill or uncomfortable

Treatment for a Dental Abscess

To confirm a dental abscess, a digital x-ray is taken, and your dentist will be able to diagnose and discuss treatment options. Antibiotics are usually recommended to fight the infection, and the dentist may need to cut and drain the abscess.

Fractured Tooth

Although tooth enamel is the hardest substance in the human body, it’s still susceptible to fractures. Depending on oral habits and diet, sometimes teeth can break and cause significant tooth pain. If you notice a broken tooth or something that feels off while chewing, make sure you schedule an appointment to have a dentist examine the area.

Cause of a Tooth Fracture

Bad habits like using your teeth as tools or chewing on pen caps can sometimes crack your teeth. A crack can cause intense pain noticed while chewing and sensitivity to hot and cold foods and drinks.

Treatment for a Fractured Tooth

Some fractures are visible; some are not. Treatment varies depending on the location, direction of the crack, and severity of the damage. The dentist may be able to do a simple composite filling or a porcelain crown. But in some cases, a root canal may be required to restore the tooth along with a restoration.

Gum Disease

Do your gums bleed when you brush or floss your teeth? If they do, you’re experiencing the first stage of gum disease, otherwise known as gingivitis. Other symptoms of gingivitis include gum swelling, redness, and tenderness. Over time, your gums can detach themselves from your teeth and form loose pockets that fill with food debris and bacteria. If left untreated, this can lead to gum recession and bone loss. This more severe form of gum disease is called periodontitis.

Cause of Gum Disease

Gum disease is caused by several factors, including:

Plaque buildup from a lack of good oral hygiene
Smoking and chewing tobacco
Hormonal shifts for females
Prescription medications
Nutritional deficiencies
Crooked teeth
Family history

Treatment for Gum Disease

Gingivitis is treatable and simply requires a thorough brushing and flossing routine at home and biannual dental cleanings. In some cases, depending on the severity of your gum disease, a round of antibiotics may be recommended to fight the gum infection.

Treating periodontitis may require a deeper cleaning and more frequent hygiene visits at the dentist. In more severe cases, surgery may be necessary to clean out the infected pockets and sutures can help the gums fit snugly around the tooth.

Bruxism

Bruxism is the clenching and grinding of teeth, which can lead to tooth or jaw pain. The majority of people clench or grind their teeth without any significant effects. However, if you chronically brux, either during the day or while sleeping at night, it can lead to several oral health concerns.

Over time, persistent grinding wears down the first layer of your tooth enamel and leaves the second layer (dentin) exposed. This can cause extreme tooth sensitivity and even pain. Grinding can also weaken your teeth, causing them to fracture. If left untreated, a fracture can potentially result in tooth loss.

If you’re experiencing any of the following symptoms, there’s a chance you’re suffering from bruxism:

Tight jaw muscles
Tooth sensitivity
Flattened, chipped, or fractured teeth
Face, neck, or upper back pain
Tension headaches upon waking up
Disrupted sleep due to nighttime clenching and grinding

Causes of Bruxism

Clenching and grinding is an involuntary movement of the teeth. Some common causes would include:

Stress and anxiety
Abnormal or misaligned bite
Missing, cracked, or crooked teeth
Sleep disorders such as sleep apnea
Antidepressant medication

Treatment for Bruxism

To treat bruxism, a custom night guard is recommended to be worn during sleep. A night guard creates a barrier between the teeth and acts as a buffer so that the upper and lower teeth can’t make contact. If your teeth have significant wear from bruxism, the dentist can advise you on what treatment you need to restore your smile.

Treat Your Tooth Pain at Brand Dental

These are the five most common causes of tooth pain. If you’re experiencing tooth pain or any of the symptoms mentioned above, please call our Kingston, PA office to schedule an appointment. We offer same-day emergency dental care and Saturday office hours. The health of your teeth is extremely important to us, and our dental team is here to help you feel better quickly.