Cause 1:Tooth decay
It is a tooth that has eroded a hole, meaning that the hard outer surface of the tooth (enamel) has been eroded. Tooth decay may not show any symptoms initially, but eventually it can lead to toothache, especially if the cavity becomes very large and close to the nerve inside the tooth. Tooth decay is the most common cause of toothache.
Severe tooth decay usually causes severe pain, enough to wake a person up, and the pain worsens when lying down. A tooth decay with mild symptoms can be easily ignored, but when the patient cannot tolerate the pain, a dental root canal is needed.
Cause 2:Excessive exercise
Exercise is good for physical and mental health, but can it hurt your teeth? A study published in the Scandinavian Journal of Sports Medicine and Science points out that this is indeed a possibility. Researchers found that triathletes who trained for endurance had a greater risk of tooth erosion (loss of tooth enamel due to acid on the teeth) than those who did not exercise. The longer they worked out each week, the more likely they were to have multiple decayed teeth. Dentists speculate that this is related to their reduced saliva production.
More than 90% of saliva is water, which is exhaled through the mouth and out of the mouth. A dry mouth puts you at risk for tooth decay because bacteria are suited to thrive in this environment. If you regularly engage in long, strenuous training sessions with a lot of sweating and heavy breathing, you can become underhydrated and cause toothaches.
Cause 3: Filling comes off
Fillings in decayed teeth can fall out if too much force is applied to the area, or if the material breaks down. Decay around or under the filling can also cause breakage. Some patients don’t even feel the filling come off until they bite down on food. As they chew, the food is pushed into this area, filling the cavity and causing pressure. This area can also be sensitive to hot, cold, and sour.
Cause 4: Abscesses
When food particles get caught between your teeth and you continue to chew, it pushes the food into your gums. Over time, this can cause inflammation and pain. It can cause abscesses along the gum line where leftover food and debris decay and breed infection. You may notice swelling and even pus in the area of the abscess.
The sooner you treat it, the better the results, as untreated abscesses can lead to gum disease. Flossing your teeth daily can solve this problem.
Cause 5: Broken tooth
A toothache can be caused by a broken or fractured tooth. Usually not the whole tooth is broken, but a piece. Biting hard on something hard can cause a tooth to break. If the broken tooth is not completely dislodged or removed in time, it can cause a toothache. Depending on the severity of the breakage, patients may need a crown or an implant to replace the severely damaged tooth.
Cause 6: Growing Wisdom Teeth
If your wisdom teeth are trying to emerge from an awkward spot in your gums, or there is not enough room, it can definitely cause a toothache. Once they penetrate, the risk of gum inflammation or infection is elevated, due to the fact that wisdom teeth are difficult to reach with toothbrushes and floss. Although patients feel pain and discomfort, it is not as intense as with severe cavities.
Many people can benefit from having their wisdom teeth removed, while for others, the procedure may be unnecessary or even risky, depending on the location of the wisdom teeth. If the wisdom tooth is causing the toothache, try taking ibuprofen.
Reason 7: Grinding your teeth at night
Most people who grind their teeth at night do not realize that they are doing so. Teeth grinding is also associated with symptoms such as headaches, facial muscle pain and jaw stiffness. Teeth grinding can even lead to tooth breakage. Although some patients will be asked to wear a mouthguard, this method is not always effective. Patients do not wake up knowing that the mouthguard has fallen off.
In this case, Botox injections are a good option to stop the muscles that move the jaw from producing the same amount of force. Many dentists are trained to use Botox and it should be injected every 3 to 4 months.
Reason 8: Clenching the jaw when under stress
Toothaches caused by grinding or clenching your jaw are overall, or at least on one side of the jaw, rather than a specific tooth. Even if you don’t grind your teeth at night, it’s possible to clench your jaw during the day. This is a very common stress reaction, and dentists know how to teach patients to relax. The easiest way to do this is to take repeated deep breaths, which will help the facial muscles relax.
Cause 9: Temporomandibular joint disorder
The temporomandibular joint follows the side of the head and the jaw, which allows yawning, chewing and speaking. Dysfunction of this joint can cause jaw pain that feels much like a toothache. This pain feels similar to the pain of grinding or clenching your teeth, but it is located near the ear.
A telltale sign of TMJ disorder is a clicking or popping sound when the patient tries to open his or her mouth. The pain may go away on its own, and the dentist may recommend that the patient ice the painful area. If you have TMJ disorder, you should try to minimize extra jaw activity, such as chewing gum. Some patients require surgery, although it is rare.
Cause 10: Gum recession
Some people with sensitive teeth will experience gum recession, which causes the enamel on the gum line to wear away. This is as if the surface of the tooth is not covered and is exposed to the external environment. This pain does not last, but every time the tooth comes into contact with hot or cold foods, it will be a toothache. Brushing with a professional anti-sensitivity toothpaste (such as Comfort Dent) can alleviate this problem, but it is important to use it consistently.
Cause 11: Gum infection
Although gum infection does not cause pain inside the teeth, it can be difficult for the body to distinguish between toothache and gum pain. Mild gum disease is called gingivitis and it causes redness and swelling of the gums, causing some discomfort. Regular brushing and flossing of the teeth can nip this toothache in the bud.
If left untreated, gingivitis can progress to periodontitis, a more serious form of gum disease. Patients can take pain medication for a short period of time. The dentist will decide if antibiotics are needed to treat the infection or for additional treatment.
Cause 12: A hard blow to the tooth
If you are unfortunate enough to be hit in the jaw by a softball or baseball, it can also cause tooth pain. There are arteries, veins and nerves within the limited space of each tooth, and damage caused to the tooth can lead to swelling. Since the swelling inside the tooth has nowhere to go, pressure builds up, which the brain interprets as a toothache. Most minor tooth damage goes away in a few days as long as you don’t bite anything too hard.
Reason 13: Teeth need to be straightened
Anyone who has had orthodontic surgery knows that this operation can cause painful discomfort. Taking anti-inflammatory medication for 24 to 48 hours after having orthodontic surgery usually helps.
Reason 14: Sinusitis attack
