Toothaches are strange, aren’t they? When you feel pain in your teeth, a lot of the times you don’t know why or what caused it. Toothaches can come out of nowhere and cause you real pain and inconvenience. Have you ever been at work and felt a toothache out of the blue? It can make your daily tasks much harder because that aching in your tooth is your main focus. Learn the top 10 reasons for tooth pain, with number 1 being the most common cause of toothaches from a trusted dentist.
#10: Orthodontic Alignment
Braces, retainers, and other dental alignment systems are a common cause of aching pain. The aching is usually noticeable right after adjustments are made that tighten and move your teeth, but if discomfort persists, contact your orthodontist for readjustment.
#9: Misaligned Teeth or Impacted Wisdom Teeth
Teeth that are misaligned can press against each other, pushing others out of line and causing more aches and pains. Wisdom teeth that have failed to break through the gum line can also cause stinging and tenderness, so you should talk to your dentist and address these issues before they get worse.
#8: Improper Brushing or Flossing
Often, people brush and floss their teeth with too much pressure, which causes irritation, inflammation, and bleeding gums. If you always use extreme pressure when brushing and flossing, your gums can recede leading to more dental issues and discomfort.
#7: Teeth Grinding
Grinding of the teeth can cause tooth, jaw, neck, and related muscle pain. Grinding occurs mostly during sleep, or in stressful situations for those it affects.
#6: Damaged Fillings or Dental Sealants
Fillings often protect vulnerable parts of the teeth. When this protection is damaged, the sensitive areas of your teeth are exposed to food particles, extreme temperatures, and bacteria that result in varying discomfort.
#5: Temperature Sensitivity
Tooth enamel can wear down to the point where your teeth are sensitive to extremely hot or cold foods and drinks. Enamel protects tiny nerve endings inside your tooth, so once it’s worn down, it leaves the sensitive part of your tooth exposed.
#4: Tooth Fractures
Teeth can be cracked in various ways. Everything from playing sports to biting down on something sticky or hard can fracture your pearly whites. If you feel pain from a fractured tooth, that means the crack in your tooth has made it to the middle where your nerve endings are.
#3: Gum Disease
Gum disease is more of a dull pain in the mouth. Your gums will probably look red, bleed, and you may have some toothaches. If left untreated, it can lead to teeth, gum, and bone damage or loss.
#2: Tooth Abscess
When tooth decay advances and worsens, it affects the root beneath the visible tooth. This means there’s a good chance that the root and its surrounding tissue have become infected. The infection will result in a pulsating pain you can feel all over your mouth, making it hard to detect which tooth is the culprit.
#1: Tooth Decay
The number one reason for toothaches is regular tooth decay. Although this may not sound as serious as some of the previous issues we discussed, tooth decay can affect anyone. If you’re experiencing discomfort from decay, it has probably gotten serious enough that it’s worn down the enamel and reached your nerve endings. Contact your dentist to get this checked immediately before your condition worsens.
If you’re experiencing any of the above symptoms, call your dentist today to schedule an examination to get to the root of the problem. The best thing you can do to prevent most of these causes of toothaches is to practice a good oral healthcare routine—brushing and flossing daily and regular dental visits. This will keep your mouth clean, healthy, and pain free!
Meet the Dentist
Dr. James A. Moreau Jr. has decades of experience in many areas of dentistry, so no matter what’s causing your toothaches, he’ll be able to help. He likes catching dental issues like tooth pain while they’re small, before they fester into bigger problems. He currently practices at More SMILES Dental Spa and can be contacted by phone at (985) 809-7645 for any questions.