COMMON CAUSES OF TOOTHACHE

Have you had a toothache at any point in life? Remember how painstaking and mentally disturbing it was? We do not want to remind you of that dreadful pain but state that even a slight pain in the tooth can be irritating and spoil your entire day. Toothaches are not entitled to any particular age group, even kids suffer from toothaches so do adults and elderly people. However, there are varied reasons for toothache ranging from poor dental hygiene to oral infections to dental imperfections. Here we bring you the list of common reasons for toothache so that next time you suffer from tooth pain, you are aware of the cause and eliminate it.

Why Does Toothache Occur?

When the pulp of the tooth gets inflamed, the tooth starts paining. It is because the pulp of the tooth contains nerve endings that are highly sensitive to pain. The inflammation of the pulp could be either due to cavities, tooth decay or infection. Here are a few common causes of toothache.

1. Sensitive Teeth

The nerve endings and the inner pulp of the teeth are covered by a tough outer protective layer known as enamel. Enamel is stronger than human bones, and it acts as a barrier between bacteria and the root of the tooth. When the enamel wears away owing to aging or enamel erosion caused by acids, the inner layers of the tooth get exposed. When the middle layer of the teeth is exposed, the food and drinks you consume reach nerve endings and cause sensitivity. Also, when your gums weaken and shrink away from your teeth, the roots of the teeth get exposed. This again causes teeth sensitivity. Sensitive teeth are prone to frequent toothaches.

2. Damaged Tooth

While playing sports, if your jaws get a blow and hit your teeth, a portion of your teeth may be chipped or broken. A broken tooth makes it sensitive whenever you consume foods and drinks. A broken tooth also hurts the tongue and internal side of the mouth, causing pain.

3. Tooth Decay

When you consume food, you indirectly also provide food to the bad bacteria in the mouth. These bacteria feed on the sugars in the food and convert them into acids that attack the enamel. When the enamel gets eroded, the acids reach the inner tissues of the teeth. This causes teeth sensitivity and pain. If the cavities deepen, the infection reaches the pulp and roots of the teeth, damaging the roots. A decayed tooth incurs pain and requires extraction to get relief from the pain and infection.

4. Teeth Grinding

Sometimes people have the habit of grinding their teeth either consciously or unconsciously while asleep. Teeth grinding, also known as Bruxism is concerned with mental disorder and occurs due to stress, sleep disorders or bite problems. Bruxism, if left untreated, leads to chipped teeth because of the continuous grinding of teeth. Enamel gets worn away, and the teeth are chipped, causing a toothache. Bruxism ought to be treated at the earliest, hence consult the best dentist in your town. One of the solutions is to wear a mouthguard that combats teeth grinding problems.

5. Infected Gums

Bad bacteria in the mouth settle in the gaps between the teeth and gums and form plaque. Plaque gets developed every night, and hence it is advised to brush the teeth in the morning to remove the plaque formed overnight. If the plaque is left untreated, it leads to gum diseases. Gums get infected and start bleeding when you brush your teeth or consume food. Gum diseases like Gingivitis and Periodontitis are known to cause severe pains in the teeth.

6. Impacted Wisdom Teeth

Wisdom teeth are the third molars that are the last ones to erupt in an adult mouth. When the wisdom teeth get stuck below the gum surface and do not erupt at the designated position due to lack of space or other reasons, the teeth erupt at an odd angle and causes toothache. Impacted wisdom teeth are one of the main reasons for toothache in adults.

Toothache and other dental defects can be prevented by following proper dental hygiene and visiting the dentist regularly for your dental check-up routine. If you encounter tooth pain due to any of the above reasons or if the cause remains unknown, visit our dental clinic, The Elite Dental Care, one of the best dental clinics in Tracy, California for the treatment of your toothache. We provide dental treatments of all types, along with cosmetic dental procedures to improve the aesthetics of your teeth. Also, visit our website https://theelitedental.com to find out more about our dental services and dental health tips.