If you leave a toothache unattended, that discomfort may eventually erupt into agony. But what causes that pain? There are a number of common causes:
- Tooth Sensitivity
Teeth have nerves, and some people have more sensitive nerves than others. Cold temperatures from certain drinks and foods can trigger that sensitivity. This is especially true if you have thin enamel or gum recession that exposes your dentin, which is the sensitive layer beneath enamel composed of tiny tubes connected to your tooth’s nerve endings.
- Advanced Tooth Decay
When plaque forms on the enamel of your teeth, it chows down on your dietary starches and sugars. This process creates acid that can slowly erode and decay your enamel. At first, this decay may not hurt, but as the decay spreads deeper into your tooth, hitting the dentin and inner pulp, it can cause pain, infection, and even permanent damage.
- Pulpitis
Pulpitis, or inflammation of the tooth pulp, can occur when tooth decay goes untreated. It can also happen if a tooth endures a violent trauma. A tooth’s pulp is the bundle of soft tissue found right in the center of every tooth. It’s full of blood vessels and nerves. Pulp infection or trauma can trigger inflammation, extreme sensitivity to temperatures, and pain.
- Abscess
If pulpitis or a cavity goes untreated, an abscess can form. This is when bacteria builds up inside the pulp chamber and in response, the chamber tries to drain the infection out of the tooth root. This can result in tooth pain and abnormal redness, swelling, tenderness, and warmth of your gums.
- Cracked Tooth
People can crack their teeth from falling, getting hit in the face, biting down on a hard food, and even from teeth grinding. A cracked tooth may be sensitive to extreme temperatures and feel painful when you chew or bite. Different kinds of cracks require different types of treatment, so it’s very important to come see us if your tooth is cracked.
- Impacted Tooth
When a tooth can’t erupt into its proper place because other teeth, gums, or bone are in the way, it stays stuck beneath the gums and becomes impacted. This can cause lots of pressure, pain, and soreness in the jaw and affected area. Wisdom teeth are the most common teeth to get impacted because there is often not enough room for them in the back of the mouth.
- Gum Disease
Gums need to be brushed and care for, and when they aren’t, the gums become inflamed, swollen, and painful. If untreated, they can even get infected, leading to bone loss and gum deterioration. Irritated gums slowly detach from the teeth and create pockets perfect for bacteria, which leaves tooth roots vulnerable to decay and sensitivity.
Toothache Relief in Calgary, AB
If you are experiencing a toothache, please make an appointment at our dental office in Calgary! Tooth pain is never normal and could be a sign of a serious problem. At Kherani Dental at Aspen, we can help identify the cause and get your dental health back on track.
Image by Authority Dental under CC 2.0
