Pain of any kind can put a raincloud over a sunny day, but for some reason, a toothache comes with a type of pain that can often be severe and impossible to endure. Trying to go throughout your day, business as usual, can be difficult when you have a tooth that has become a problem. No matter how conscientious you are about your oral health, even if you brush, floss, and have regular dental visits, at some point in your life you will most likely experience the discomfort of a toothache.
Now that you have that misfortune to look forward to, let’s take a look at what could potentially cause a toothache or discomfort. Just because the odds are that you have had or will have one, doesn’t mean that there are not ways to help keep a toothache from rearing its ugly head.
Let’s start with tooth sensitivity
If the thought of biting into a popsicle makes you cringe, then you know what it’s like to have sensitive teeth. When you experience sharp pains while eating or drinking hot and cold foods, it could mean you have a cavity. However, it may just mean that there is some sensitivity happening among your teeth. This is caused by the thinning of tooth enamel or receding gums. Using a soft bristled toothbrush and toothpaste, that is specifically designed for sensitive teeth, may help ease the pain, but the best decision is always to come in and
let us take a look at what is causing the problem.
Let’s move on to more severe toothaches
This is more than dodging ice cold water and hot chocolate, this is stabbing and extremely sharp pain when chewing or biting down. This is usually a pretty good sign of a cavity, chipped, or a cracked tooth. If proper oral care is avoided it can lead to major things, such as gum disease, tartar, gingivitis, and decay. The bacteria in your mouth turns into bigger and worse problems if not taken care. To avoid the extreme discomfort that comes along with some of these tooth problems be sure to maintain good oral hygiene.
Let’s look at the possibility that it may not even be your teeth
Although it is less common, a toothache may be caused by a sinus infection, known as sinusitis. If you notice that the pain is contained within your upper teeth and on both sides of your face, then it’s possible that you are not dealing with an actual tooth problem at all. If you have nasal congestion and tenderness around your sinuses, and suspect this is the cause of your pain, you may want to see your general practitioner.
If you notice the pain is more identifiable within the jaw, it may be caused by temporomandibular disorders, which is the joint that connects the jaw to the temporal bones of the skull. Known more commonly as TMD, it occurs when there are problems with the jaw and facial muscles, such as injury, trauma, or teeth grinding (bruxism). On a note that is even more serious, this could be a side effect of oral cancer. This type of toothache is not something to be taken lightly. Call our office immediately if you feel like this may be something that needs attention right away.
How we can help
We’ve covered that various levels of what could possibly cause a toothache. They are not always severe, they are not always constant (brought on by deliciously chilled watermelon), and they may not always need immediate attention. However, waiting until something slightly bothersome turns into unbearable pain may not be the best option. Causes for tooth pain may not always be crystal clear, but the faster you allow our team of experts to diagnose the problem, the faster a course of action can be put into place.
Professional treatment is key; we are here to make sure your days don’t get overshadowed by the discomfort of a pesky toothache.
