Common Causes of Tooth Pain
Are you experiencing a toothache? Toothaches are frustrating and unpleasant. Your tooth might be sensitive to temperature or painful when chewing or biting. Your dentist will evaluate your pain and reference your medical history, dental exams and X-rays, to determine the cause.
Here are some causes of a toothache, ranging from tooth sensitivity and decay to serious infections, like abscess formation. The most common cause is tooth decay followed by inflammation of the tooth pulp, an abscess, a cracked tooth, gum disease and sensitive teeth.
When your gums are infected, they become inflamed, hot, red and swollen. This infection, if left untreated, causes bone loss and deterioration of the gums.
Tooth decay occurs when plaque forms on the tooth enamel and produces an acid that eats away at the enamel causing weak areas and holes. When the decay spreads inward toward the middle layer of the tooth, it causes sensitivity to temperature and touch. If you experience discomfort when a tooth is exposed to cold, then your teeth may have developed a sensitivity from exposed dentin. Teeth clenching and grinding may occur without your knowledge but over time, it may cause tooth sensitivity.
Pulpitis occurs when the decay extends into the pulp of the tooth and it becomes inflamed and irritated. The main symptom of pulpitis is sensitivity to various stimuli, largely temperature (hot or cold). There are two types of pulpitis- reversible and irreversible. When the pulpitis is reversible, your pain or sensitivity stops within a couple seconds but when it is irreversible, the pain will linger for a few minutes.
Your tooth may crack or fracture due to a trauma to the mouth or from biting down on a hard object. Symptoms of a cracked tooth will include a sharp pain when biting or chewing and may be sensitive to hot and cold. There are five types of cracks that can develop and they are craze lines (tiny cracks on the outer enamel), fractured cusp (piece of the chewing surface breaking off around a filling), cracked tooth (a crack extending from the chewing surface vertically toward the root), split tooth (when the tooth splits into two parts) and a vertical root fracture (a crack forms in the root of the tooth and are not visible).
Wisdom teeth may become impacted because they are prevented from moving into their proper position in the mouth. The teeth remain stuck under the gum causing pressure, pain and even jaw soreness.
Schedule a cleaning with your dental profession because regular professional dental cleanings optimize your oral health. Also, if you are experiencing any tooth discomfort, dental sensitivity, persistent bad breath or notice bleeding gums, make an appointment with your dentist.
Call us ASAP, if you experience a toothache associated with fever, swelling, drainage, or a pocket of pus, or a cracked or chipped tooth. If you are experiencing a high fever with a headache, mouth pain and/or neurological symptoms, head straight to the emergency room.
Smiles by Bergen Dental is conveniently located in Midland Park New Jersey, within minutes from Ridgewood, Wyckoff, Glen Rock, Paramus, Ramsey, Allendale, Saddle River, and Ho-Ho-Kos, We welcome new clients of all ages!
If you're interested in having a brighter, whiter smile, contact Smiles by Bergen Dental and make an appointment. Smiles by Bergen Dental is in Bergen County, conveniently located in Midland Park, within minutes from Ridgewood, Wyckoff, Glen Rock, Paramus, Ramsey, Allendale, Saddle River, and Ho-Ho-Kus.
