7 Common Causes of Toothache That You Should Know About

If you have ever experienced a toothache, then you probably know how debilitating and annoying it can be. You may skip work or school due to severe toothache and take a lot of painkillers.

Even though pain medications can help reduce the pain, it is essential to define the exact cause of your issue and undergo proper treatment. Here is a list of seven common causes of toothache that you should know about.

1. Tooth decay

Tooth decay, also known as cavities and caries, is a hole in the teeth. It develops when the bacteria in your mouth overgrow and produce a lot of acids. These acids soften and eat away your tooth enamel. In the initial stages, tooth decay can manifest through dark spots on the enamel and mild tooth sensitivity.

When the condition progresses and reaches the inner layers of the tooth that contain nerve endings and blood vessels, you may experience a toothache. In most cases, tooth decay can be treated with the help of a dental filling or root canal treatment(if the cavity is deep enough to reach the roots). If left untreated, tooth decay can destroy the whole tooth so it may need to be extracted and replaced by a dental implant or bridge.

2. Dental abscess

A dental abscess is a serious condition that requires immediate medical attention. Symptoms of a dental abscess include severe toothache, increased tooth sensitivity, bad breath, an unpleasant taste in the mouth, and swollen gum. This condition is caused by an infection that penetrates the tooth and leads to the development of a sac with pus. If left untreated, this sac can burst and pus may spread to the jaw, neck, and even brain.

3. Gum recession

Gum recession is a condition in which the gum shrinks and pulls out of the teeth. As a result, the roots of the tooth become exposed. Since the roots don't have a protective coating, people with gum recession often experience toothache or tooth sensitivity. Gum recession can be caused by:

- Aggressive tooth brushing

- Smoking

- Gum disease

- Hormonal fluctuations

- Poor oral hygiene

- Teeth grinding

- Crooked teeth

- Oral piercing

- Heredity

If gum recession is mild, your dentist can perform tooth scaling and root planing, deep cleaning that helps get rid of tartar accumulation and other debris. You may also need to take antibiotics to eliminate inflammation. If your gum recession can't be cured with deep cleaning because of excess loss of bone and pockets that are too deep, your dentist can recommend gum surgery to repair the damage.

4. Tooth fractures

Tooth fracture is an extremely painful condition that occurs when the tooth breaks. It can happen when you play contact sports, get into an accident, eat solid foods, fall down, or get hit in the jaw. Even if the crack is small and you don't experience any severe pain, it is essential to repair the affected tooth since it can be prone to tooth decay and infections. Additionally, without timely treatment, a broken tooth can ruin over time.

5. Enamel wear

Enamel wear is an unpleasant issue that occurs when the tooth enamel becomes worn out. This can lead to yellowish teeth, fragile enamel, and tooth sensitivity. The most common causes of this condition include:

- Increased consumption of acidic foods and drinks

- Aggressive tooth brushing

- Teeth grinding

- Poor oral hygiene

- Dry mouth

- Misaligned bite

- Acid reflux

- Certain medications

- Poor nutrition

It is much easier to prevent enamel wear rather than treat it. You need to maintain proper oral hygiene, eat healthy foods, get rid of bad habits, and visit a dental clinic for exams and cleanings on a regular basis. If you already have enamel wear, it can be treated with the help of dental bonding, fillings, or crowns.

6. Damaged dental fillings

Unfortunately, some dental fillings don't last forever. In many cases, they can be damaged due to poor oral hygiene, teeth grinding, eating solid foods, and simply wearing out. If a dental filling is loose or absent, the tooth can be more likely to ache and develop a cavity. But if the nerve of the tooth was eliminated previously, you may not experience any symptoms. That's why regular dental exams and timely replacement of damaged dental fillings are essential.

7. Impacted wisdom tooth

Impacted wisdom teeth are third molars in the back of the mouth that do not have enough space to erupt or develop properly. Impacted wisdom teeth can cause pain, tooth damage, and other dental issues. Impacted wisdom teeth may not cause any obvious or immediate problems.

However, because they are difficult to clean, they may be more susceptible to tooth decay and gum disease than other teeth. Impacted wisdom teeth that lead to toothache or other dental issues are often extracted. To avoid future problems, some dentists and oral surgeons recommend removing impacted wisdom teeth that do not cause symptoms.

The bottom line

It is important to understand that taking painkillers and using home remedies can't be considered a treatment for toothache. Since there are a lot of factors that can lead to toothache, your oral cavity should be examined by a dentist.