5 Common Causes of Tooth Pain

A toothache might be mild, severe, or throbbing, but regardless of how it feels, it can completely disrupt your routine. Tooth discomfort can make chewing, talking, concentrating, and even sleeping difficult. Ignoring discomfort just allows the underlying reason to worsen and preserve you from treating tooth pain before it becomes a significant problem. Untreated tooth discomfort might lead to the loss of a tooth in the long run. There are a variety of reasons why your teeth may hurt, but each of them warrants a visit to the dentist.

Take a look at these 5 reasons why your teeth could be hurting.

1. You have TMJThe temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is a joint that links the side of your head to your jaw, allowing you to yawn, eat, and talk. TMD (or sometimes TMJ) is a joint dysfunction or condition that can cause jaw discomfort that feels similar to a toothache. Although the pain may feel like grinding or clenching, it is located near the ear.

A clicking or popping sound when the patient opens the mouth is the main indicator of TMJ problems. For TMJ treatment , your dentist may prescribe icing the painful region if the discomfort doesn't go away on its own. You can't immobilize the jaw as you can other painful joints, but if you have TMD, you should "minimize extra-curricular jaw activity" like chewing gum. Although surgery is uncommon, some patients may require it.

2. Tooth cavityA cavity is a hole in a tooth produced by decay, which destroys the enamel, the hard outer layer of your tooth. Cavities may not cause any symptoms at first, but they can ultimately cause a toothache, especially if they get quite big and near to the nerves within the teeth. Toothaches are most commonly caused by painful cavities.

Cavities that are severe cause acute pain that might wake you up when you're sleeping. Small cavities are normally easy to fix, but when a patient complains of excruciating pain, a dentist may be left with few alternatives other than a root canal procedure.

3. Receding gumsSome people with sensitive teeth have gum recession, which has caused the enamel at the gum line to wear away. It's as if the tooth is without a coat, leaving it vulnerable to external damage. The discomfort doesn't last long, but it returns whenever the tooth comes into contact with hot or cold foods or silverware.

For sensitive teeth, most dentists recommend brushing with a special toothpaste. The toothpaste designed for sensitive teeth can help build enamel over time, but if you stop using it, the process will be disrupted.

4. Wisdom teeth
If your wisdom teeth are still there and are attempting to emerge from your gums in an inconvenient position or with the insufficient room, you will most likely have dental discomfort. You have an increased risk of painful inflammation or infection in the gums after they break through, especially because wisdom teeth are difficult to reach with your toothbrush and floss.

Many people benefit from having their wisdom teeth removed, while others may find the treatment unnecessary or even dangerous, depending on their wisdom tooth's placement. If you're having trouble with your wisdom teeth, take some ibuprofen and then contact your dentist.

5. Fractured tooth
A fracture or crack in a tooth might be the source of your pain. Usually, only a portion of the tooth is affected. The break is usually caused by biting down on something hard. It will cause discomfort if it is not entirely separated and moves when you bite. You may require a dental crown , a cap to cover a fractured tooth, or an implant to replace a severely damaged tooth, depending on the degree of the break.