Reasons You May Have a Toothache

A toothache always seems to occur at the worst time possible. There are many reasons why toothaches develop, and the pain associated with one can be unbearable. 

Tooth pain is typically caused by tooth decay, but there are many other dental issues that can lead to throbbing pain coming from one or more of your teeth. These include:

Some causes of toothaches

• Gum disease

• Infections

• Trauma to a tooth

• Enamel damage from grinding your teeth

• Poorly-aligned teeth

• The eruption of a new tooth in young children

• Temporomandibular joint disorders

Toothaches aren’t always caused by dental diseases. At times, it can be a symptom of a serious health issue like angina – a type of heart disease – which leads to pain around your jaw and teeth. If your toothache is a result of a medical issue, your dentist will refer you to a doctor.

As we mentioned earlier, the most common cause of toothaches is dental issues associated with tooth decay like gum disease and cavities. During the first stage of decay, you typically experience pain after you eat something sugary or hot and cold. When the cavity becomes deep enough to reach the pulp chamber, the nerves and pulp become exposed to irritants in your mouth like food particles, saliva, and bacteria. This results in pain whenever the nerves are irritated.

Symptoms of a toothache

Symptoms of toothaches include:

• Persistent pain coming from a tooth

• Inflamed gums

• Weird smell coming from your mouth

• Pain when you chew

• Swelling of the area around the tooth

• Fever

Some of these toothache symptoms are similar to the symptoms of other dental issues, so it's best to head to your dentist's clinic if you experience any. Your dentist will perform a thorough examination and make a proper diagnosis. If you notice that your toothache is accompanied with pus, that could be a sign that the tooth has been infected or a sign you have gum disease.

Dealing with tooth pain

First of all, you should never ignore a toothache since it can be a symptom of a more serious issue. If left unaddressed, whatever led to the toothache will only continue to get worse. For example, if your toothache is caused by a cavity, failing to have the cavity sealed with filling will lead to it expanding until the pain becomes unbearable and you need a root canal or an extraction.

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Here are a few things you can do to alleviate the pain while waiting for your appointment with the dentist:

• Take over-the-counter pain medication

• Apply an antiseptic to the tooth

• Use a cold compress to reduce swelling

• Rinse your mouth with salt water

• Remove any debris trapped in the tooth

• Apply oils like eugenol to numb the tooth

Toothaches are literally a pain to deal with, but you can get fast relief from them. Think of a toothache as a way that your body lets you know that something is wrong somewhere. Contact our dental office in Trophy Club to learn more about toothaches.

Request a dental appointment here: https://trophysmilestudio.com or call Trophy Smile Studio at (817) 210-4049 for an appointment in our Trophy Club dental office.