Toothaches are among the most debilitating conditions you can have. They take away your ability to concentrate and are incredibly painful. To prevent toothaches, you should always maintain dental hygiene and keep up with regular dental check-ups. The number-one cause of a toothache is tooth decay. It erodes your teeth's enamel, and as a result, the nerves in the root of your teeth are exposed, causing you to experience pain and sensitivity. Continue reading for five reasons why you have a toothache.
Tooth Decay
The most common cause of toothaches is tooth decay. Tooth decay refers to the breakdown of your tooth's enamel. When plaque and tartar start to build up, they produce an acid that causes minerals from the enamel to be lost, resulting in cavities. Cavities cause you to experience sensitivity to high and low temperatures in foods and drinks. If untreated, tooth decay falls further to other layers of the tooth, leading to infection and, in extreme cases, permanent tooth removal.
Bruxism
Teeth grinding or bruxism is the grinding of your lower and upper teeth together tightly in a manner that clenches the jaw. It occurs at night when you're sleeping, which is why dentists recommend that you sleep with a nightguard to help you curb the habit. Bruxism causes your teeth's surface to wear down and may eventually cause broken, chipped or cracked teeth.
Tooth Abscess
When tooth decay penetrates your tooth's different layers and goes untreated, it may cause an infection in the pulp. Since there's little room for inflammation, the pain and pressure can quickly become unbearable. If you suffer a condition that involves trauma to the pulp, ensure you see a dentist as soon as possible since it may affect your nerve endings.
Wisdom Teeth
As your wisdom teeth erupt, the inflammation of gums causes irritation. It may also result in swelling, which may keep you from closing your mouth and chew food. This soreness can eventually cause pain in your jawline. The problem could be worse if you have an impacted wisdom tooth, which means that it has been unable to erupt from your gum. Impacted wisdom teeth can cause you to be in excruciating pain, especially if the tooth starts to push against other molars. If you have an impacted wisdom tooth, the dentist recommends extraction.
Gum Disease
Gums are an essential part of your mouth. Some of the most common gum disease symptoms include pain in your gums and your teeth as well. As the condition advances, the gum tissue begins to swell and damage the jaw and teeth' bones. This damage causes pain and weakness in teeth.
If you have a toothache, you should see a dentist as soon as possible, even if the pain stops. The longer you wait, the higher the chances that the condition will escalate.
Share19 October 2020
As a mother, I've seen my kids' faces light up after they've lost a tooth – oh, the excitement they feel about getting their grown up teeth! However, I've also seen my kids become extremely scared and anxious after having an adult tooth knocked out. If you're a mom or a dad with a busy kid, chances are you might see a tooth knocked out in a skateboarding accident or a sport pile-up. This blog is dedicated to those moments when you could lose your wits, and it's here to ensure you don't. I am collecting and curating the best information about kids and dental emergencies here so that you will have it when you need it. Best of luck with your kids' smiles!
