Common Toothache Causes & Solutions
Experiencing a toothache can be a very unpleasant feeling. Often tooth pain is a sign that there is something wrong with your tooth or gums and, in some cases, could be referred pain caused by a problem elsewhere in your body.
You might experience symptoms that are minor and barely noticeable, or you may feel significant pain and discomfort that could require immediate dental care. Either way, it’s important to figure out what is causing your toothache and not to ignore this pain signal.
Below, we’ll explain the common toothache causes and solutions along with when you should book an appointment with Brand Dental.
Common Causes of a Toothache
Several things can cause a toothache, ranging from a tiny cavity to an abscessed tooth. Regardless it’s important to monitor your tooth pain, and if it does not go away, be advised to call our office to schedule an appointment.
In the meantime, here are some of the potential causes of a toothache and ways we would treat them:
Tooth Decay
A cavity is known to cause toothaches and tooth sensitivity. A lack of proper brushing and flossing and/or a high sugar diet is usually the culprit. A simple filling or crown may be required to treat the decay.
Abscessed Tooth
When a bacterial infection develops within a tooth, it can cause significant pain. A tooth can become abscessed for several reasons, but it’s important to know the dentist will have to treat the infected tooth since it cannot heal on its own. Treatment usually involves a root canal and crown or an extraction.
Damaged or Ill-Fitting Filling
When a filling has been damaged or incorrectly placed, you may experience some noticeable sensitivity. Replacing the filling could help, or maybe a simple bite adjustment.
Broken or Fractured Tooth
If your tooth is broken or fractured, you may experience toothache symptoms. To restore the broken tooth may require a large filling or root canal and crown, which should relieve your symptoms.
Gum Infection
You may experience a toothache from a gum infection. This is because food and bacteria can get stuck under the gum line and cause an infection. To treat a gum infection may require a deep cleaning, prescription mouth wash, a round of antibiotics, or a combination of all three.
Bruxism
Otherwise known as teeth grinding, could be the reason why your teeth and jaw feel achy. Over time, teeth grinding can wear down tooth enamel which can cause tooth sensitivity. The dentist may recommend a custom night-guard to relieve your discomfort and protect your teeth.
Tooth Eruption
It’s not uncommon to feel a toothache during adolescents when teeth are erupting into the mouth. You can also experience a toothache when wisdom teeth are erupting. If your pain is caused by your wisdom teeth and the dentist is concerned, there isn’t adequate space for them; having them removed may be recommended.
Misaligned Teeth
When teeth are crowded or crooked, they can cause pressure to other teeth. To relieve the tension and correct the crowding, the dentist may advise orthodontic treatment like Invisalign.
Common Signs and Symptoms of a Toothache
To give you a better idea of what a toothache might feel like or exhibit, below are some signs and symptoms to watch out for.
- Tooth Pain. A toothache may have different degrees of pain. The pain may feel like a throbbing sensation, sharp pain, or could be a constant dull ache. Some toothaches only hurt when applying pressure to the area from biting or when contact is made with hot or cold stimuli.
- Swelling. Red inflamed or swollen gums can be associated with your toothache. Facial swelling can also be a sign of an abscessed tooth.
- Physical Signs. If you have a fever or headache with no other identifiable cause, the reason could be tooth-related.
- Halitosis. A poor odor from your mouth that doesn’t go away could be a sign of infection or tooth decay.
- Odd Taste. An infected tooth may cause foul-tasting drainage.
If you’re experiencing any of the symptoms mentioned above, call our Kingston, PA office right away to schedule an appointment.
How to Prevent a Toothache
While all the causes we mentioned above are potential risks for a toothache, the most common is tooth decay. For this reason, the prevention of tooth decay is essential. The best way to prevent tooth decay starts at home with a great brushing and flossing routine. For further tips on brushing and flossing, check out this helpful blog post – At-Home Brushing & Flossing Tips For A Healthy Smile.
Besides that, visiting your Brand Dental dentist at least twice a year for a professional cleaning and examination would be ideal.
Home Treatment Methods
In some cases, a minor gum irritation, or toothache, may go away on its own within 24-hours or so. However, if this doesn’t happen or if the pain is significant at first, there are some basic home methods for treating toothache pain:
- Saltwater Rinse. To help reduce any inflammation and to disinfect the mouth, a combination of warm water and salt can be beneficial.
- Hydrogen Peroxide. A 3% hydrogen peroxide solution will also help reduce pain and inflammation. Be sure to dilute this with equal parts of water and do not swallow it.
- Cold Compress. If you have gum or facial swelling, place a cold compress of ice to the area for 15 to 20 minutes at a time, repeating every several hours.
- Pain Medication. Various over-the-counter pain meds help relieve tooth pain and inflammation. If your child is experiencing the toothache, you’ll want to speak to your child’s pediatrician to determine which pain reliever they would recommend
When to Schedule an Appointment at Brand Dental
If you have a toothache that lasts longer than a day or two, you’re experiencing any of the symptoms above, or if the pain is extremely severe and isn’t responding to home treatments, you should schedule an appointment with your dentist.
A visit to our Kingston, PA office can provide some answers to common toothache causes and solutions to relieve your symptoms. We also offer same-day emergency care if your toothache simply can’t wait.
Schedule an Appointment today!
