All of a sudden, you feel an intense pain in your tooth that causes you to cringe. You can’t believe it -just weeks ago, everything was fine when you saw the dentist for your routine cleaning!
You may assume that you would be able to see if something was wrong with your teeth, but tooth pain can have many causes -some of which are difficult to detect. Bacteria, wisdom teeth impacting other teeth, gingivitis, cavities, and even clenching or grinding your teeth (bruxism) are a few examples.
There are various indicators of a toothache, such as gum inflammation and irritation, infection-induced bad taste buds, headaches, fever, and discomfort from pressure exerted on gums, including ongoing or pulsating pain in the mouth that can be sharp or dull. If you’re experiencing pain that is disrupting your daily life, we’ve listed eight of the most common causes below, along with tips on how to get relief fast.
1. Tooth decay and old cavities
The primary reason for toothaches is dental cavities. These are typically brought about by insufficient oral hygiene (for instance, not brushing or flossing). They form a tiny hole in your tooth that will become larger and deeper over time if left unchecked. Cavities can also be created when the sugar in foods you eat interacts with your saliva, causing decay to occur.
Cavities are often small and unnoticeable at first, making them difficult to catch early on. However, regular visits to the dentist for cleanings can help prevent cavities from developing into bigger problems. If left untreated, cavities can infect the tooth and eventually lead to tooth loss or other serious complications.
To ease your pain while you’re waiting for your dentist appointment, try a salt water rinse. Mix 1/2 teaspoon of salt with one glass of warm water and swish it in your mouth. Do not ingest the salt water mix. This method can be repeated every two hours if needed. If there’s no improvement at all, press a cold compress or ice wrapped in a soft towel to your cheek for several minutes.
2. An infected or abscessed tooth
An abscessed tooth is an infection that has reached the tooth’s root. The infection can spread very quickly and result in swollen, inflamed gums, severe pain around the site of infection and bone loss.
If you have a toothache that’s becoming increasingly worse, swelling around your gums, red or darkened gums, pain when pressure is applied to the affected tooth, or throbbing pain medication doesn’t seem to touch, then you may have an abscessed tooth. In this case, it’s best to see a dentist as soon as possible.
If you’re in sharp pain or discomfort from an abscessed tooth, the last thing you want to do is wait for a dentist appointment. Fortunately, coconut oil can provide some relief in the meantime.
Simply applying coconut oil to the affected area can help reduce inflammation and draw out infection. You can also consume it by adding it to your toast, coffee or smoothie or taking it straight from the spoon (only 1 tablespoon at a time).
By either massaging it onto the painful areas of your gums and teeth or swishing it around in your mouth for two minutes, you can use coconut oil to ease tooth pain.
Oil pulling is an effective way to clean your infected tooth and also has other benefits, such as whitening. However, while coconut oil does have antimicrobial and antiseptic properties, you should still see your dentist to make sure the infection doesn’t come back.
3. Gum Disease
3 in 10 adults in Australia suffer from moderate to severe gum disease, with gingivitis being the most common type. A large number of people are also suffering from periodontal disease. Periodontitis is considered an advanced gum disease and can aggravate existing dental problems.
Gingivitis and periodontitis are often caused by neglecting dental hygiene, which then causes plaque buildup. If the bacteria is left untreated, it will cause your gums to bleed and become red and swollen. Many people who have gingivitis feel pain in their teeth or gums, but if left untreated for long enough, could result in tooth loss.
Immediately schedule a dentist appointment if you believe you have either of these diseases developing, and take extra care of your teeth going forward to avoid any further complications.
Daily flossing, correct and thorough brushing with fluoride toothpaste twice a day, and using antibacterial mouthwash are all key to preventing gum diseases.
4. Trauma or injury to the tooth
A dental injury, such as a broken or knocked-out tooth, is one of the most common causes of toothaches. If this happens to you, make an appointment with your dentist right away so they can fix the problem.
To avoid injury, place a surgical gauze over any sharp tooth edges. If your tooth falls out and you can fit it back in its socket, do that and bite gently to keep it in place. Then use wet gauze as cushioning if you can’t fit the tooth back into its socket. A knocked-out tooth is considered a dental emergency. Your timely visit to the dentist can prevent tooth loss.
5. Wisdom teeth eruption
Are you having pain in your upper and lower molars? If yes, then either your wisdom teeth are erupting, or they are badly impacted. In both cases, you need to undergo wisdom teeth removal. The first signs of eruption or impacted wisdom tooth are red, swollen gum area, waves of sharp pain and jaw stiffness.
The longer your wisdom teeth grow, especially if they’re growing sideways or misaligned, the more painful it will be. If this occurs, they can press down on nerves and bones as well as an arch over other adjacent teeth.
Discomfort, redness, swelling, and other symptoms will only get worse over time if wisdom teeth are not removed. If left untreated, impacted wisdom teeth might cause cysts or tumours.
In order to get your wisdom teeth removed, you must first consult with an oral surgeon and schedule an appointment. Next, calmly wait for the date of your procedure while using over-the-counter anti-inflammatories and natural home remedies to soothe any pain you may be experiencing. Try gargling salt water or coconut oil next time a wisdom toothache flares up.
If cloves or clove oil aren’t readily available to you, most grocery stores will carry them. To use, press a full clove on the sore area until numbing is felt in the gums. Clove oil works similarly – brush or massage it gently over affected areas.
6. Bruxism (teeth grinding)
Many people only consider poor dental hygiene as the leading cause of tooth pain, but there are also several bad habits that can damage your teeth, such as grinding them. The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is the hinge between your lower jaw and skull that lets you eat and talk. You can get tooth pain when this joint isn’t working correctly.
If you find yourself clenching your jaw or grinding your teeth, know that this is not only deteriorating your teeth but also adding extra stress on your jaw muscles – which can lead to tooth pain and even TMJ or TMD disorder. If you think you may be affected by TMJ syndrome, see a dentist about getting a dental splint to reposition the lower jaw. Additionally, try eating more soft foods and applying a warm compress on your jawbone as possible ways to help reduce stress.
If you’re someone who clenches or grinds their teeth at night, then wearing a mouthguard to bed can protect your teeth. Another option would be to increase your intake of vitamin-rich foods (leafy greens, fish, nuts), which will diminish the risk of calcium deficiency.
7. Sinus infection
The largest sinuses are located above the back teeth of your upper jaw. In some cases, the roots of the upper teeth extend into the sinus cavity. Therefore, inflammation in the sinuses might lead to discomfort in nearby teeth.
To relieve a toothache from a sinus infection, you can boil a pot of hot water or take some water in a steamer and add two pieces of cloves to it. Inhaling the steam will reduce the inflammation in the sinuses. You can also take over-the-counter pain medication for temporary relief.
8. Abnormal bite
Not only does teeth grinding lead to TMJ syndrome, but an abnormal bite does as well. Your top teeth should fit just slightly over your bottom teeth; however, malocclusion occurs when they meet incorrectly.
If you’re feeling discomfort in your bite or teeth, malocclusion might be the problem. Malocclusion doesn’t always cause tooth pain. It might be hereditary or appear later in life due to habits and conditions such as thumb-sucking, extended pacifier use, ill-fitting dental appliances, and missing teeth or impacted teeth.
There are ways to address an abnormal bite: it can be fixed through surgery, the removal of one or more teeth, braces or other dental appliances.
If you’re experiencing dental pain that doesn’t go away, there are many possible causes, and most of them can be prevented with the proper care. By practising good hygiene techniques, avoiding habits like teeth grinding, and scheduling regular dentist appointments, you should be able to prevent dental discomfort.
What are the symptoms of toothache?
- Pain in your teeth can manifest as sharp, pulsing, or constant. Some people only feel pain when their tooth is touched (for example, when biting down)
- Swelling around the tooth, especially with a fractured or cracked tooth
- High-grade or constant low-grade fever
- Foul-tasting drainage from the abscessed tooth.
- A bad smell from the mouth.
If you have difficulty breathing and swallowing in addition to your pain, please contact a dental professional as soon as possible.
At Maroondah Dental Care, we know that when you’re in pain, the last thing you want to do is wait for relief. That’s why we offer emergency appointments for our comprehensive dental care services. So if you’re in pain, give us a call today at (03) 9007 2532, and we’ll get you scheduled as soon as possible!
Note: Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.
References
Everything you need to know about toothaches
https://www.healthline.com/health/toothaches
Toothache
https://www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/mouth/toothache#:~:text=Toothache%20occurs%20when%20the%20innermost,hard%20surface%20of%20the%20tooth