Does your tooth hurt in a way you’ve never felt before? If it’s severe, it’s probably a dental emergency, like a cracked, fractured, or broken tooth. Or, perhaps a cavity has been silently developing, and now that it’s exposed your tooth’s nerves, the pain is more intense than ever before. Toothaches can be ambiguous, signifying one of a wide variety of possible issues, and treating them requires different strategies depending on their origin. Fortunately, clues can be found in their pattern and severity that can hint at what type of toothache it is, and why it hurts.
Causes of Most Toothaches
Traumatic injuries are common, perhaps more common than they should be, and cause immediate pain and sensitivity if the tooth’s outer layers are compromised. Most often, however, a toothache develops gradually as oral bacteria eat away its protective enamel and infection silently settles into the tooth’s structure. The more the tooth hurts, the bigger the cavity, and the more likely the infection will cost you your tooth if you hesitate to seek treatment.
Types of Tooth Pain
Momentary sensitivity
If hot and cold foods and beverages cause your teeth to tingle or feel overly sensitive, then the trouble might not be an immediate emergency. Possible causes include weak tooth enamel (a precursor to tooth decay), a loose dental filling, or a slightly exposed tooth root due to gum recession. If ignored, the problem could grow worse and the sensitivity more severe.
Dull aching in the teeth and jaw
Bruxism describes the habitual grinding of your teeth, and the excessive pressure and friction can lead to aching in your teeth, as well as the jawbone that supports them. Left untreated, habitual teeth grinding can wear down your teeth, making your jaws work harder to keep your bite balanced, and can lead to dental damage as well as the jaw dysfunction, TMJ disorder.
Sharp pain from pressure
Biting and chewing are among your teeth’s primary functions. If the pressure from biting generates a sharp pain in your tooth, then its nerves and blood vessels (called the pulp) is likely exposed. Your tooth might be severely infected, or it might be fractured; either way, the exposed and infected pulp means that immediate treatment is necessary to save the tooth.
About Downey Family & Cosmetic Dentistry:
Dr. Hadis Reyhani, Dr. Ben Reyhani, and Dr. Pasha Hakimzadeh, DDS, provide a wealth of combined experience, along with innovative technology and personalized care, to help improve our patients’ dental health so they can enjoy smiling again. To schedule a consultation, call Downey Family Cosmetic Dentistry today at (562) 472-2433.
