Different causes of a toothache
Even when you are extremely conscious about your oral care routine you may still experience the discomfort of a toothache and the reason for this could be one of a few. The main culprit is usually having a cavity but here at Thurmaston Dental, we have listed the reasons for a toothache and how best to deal with them.
Sensitive Teeth
If you suffer from tooth sensitivity then sharp pains when eating hot or cold foods will be common. Two reasons why people experience sensitive teeth are either because of receding gums or thinning of the tooth’s enamel. If you experience sensitive teeth then you should get it checked by your dentist, they will determine what the cause of your sensitivity is, and sometimes this can be stemmed from cavities.
What to do: By using a soft-bristled toothbrush and sensitive toothpaste, your sensitivity may ease after a while.
Cavities or Cracks
If you are suffering from extreme sharp pains, stabbing pains when you bite down then the cause will be more severe. The cause of such pain can stem from having a cavity or a cracked tooth. However, if it is a throbbing and incessant pain that just won’t go away, then it could be an abscessed tooth or infection. If this is the case then it must be taken care of as quickly as possible. The cause of an abscessed tooth can be damage to the pulp.
What to do: If you experience extreme tooth pains then see your dentist as soon as possible, the pain could be coming from a severe dental problem.
It might not have anything to do with your teeth
It might sound daft but a significant cause of tooth pain can come from a sinus infection. Although a less common cause of a toothache if your top teeth ache or the top of your mouth is in pain then sinusitis could be the cause.
What to do: If you have sinus problems that start to affect your teeth then we suggest a visit to your doctor.
Jaw Pain
If your jaw aches as a result of a toothache it could be one of many problems. A direct injury to your jaw, tooth grinding (bruxism) or arthritis. If your wisdom teeth are coming through your gum will ache and surrounding molars will ache.
What to do: If you can’t determine the root cause of your jaw or a toothache then we suggest visiting your dentist. If your wisdom teeth are coming through, your dentist can give you x-rays of your teeth to see which direction they are growing in.
How to relieve toothache pain
Most toothaches aren’t severe and intermittent pain might seem like a mild an inconvenience, and not worth a trip to the dentist. However, waiting for the pain to get worse is not a wise option! The causes of having a toothache aren’t always clear which is why a diagnosis from your dentist will help you to treat the pain in the most effective way. In the meantime, you may want to try out some of these relief remedies:
Relief Remedies:
- Rinse your mouth out with warm water to clean it.
- Gently floss your teeth to make sure there’s no food such between your teeth.
- Take painkillers to ease the pain.
- Rinse the tooth with salt water
- Rub the sore area of your mouth with clove oil – it acts as numbing oil
- Place sugar-free gum over the affected tooth to minimise contact with food.
If you experience a toothache or severe pain in your mouth please do not hesitate to get in touch with our friendly team at Thurmaston Dental
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