Amelia Grant

If your teeth hurt, it can be difficult to maintain your daily routine and stay calm. Indeed, if you experience a toothache, it is essential to ease the pain and treat the underlying condition. However, many people tend to take painkillers and use home remedies instead of making a dental appointment. This can result in more severe symptoms and lead to serious complications. In this article, we have gathered seven common causes of toothache you shouldn’t neglect.

1. Tooth decay

Tooth decay is deemed one of the most common health issues. In the initial stages, it can develop asymptomatically or cause light sensitivity and stain on the surface of the tooth. But when it gets to the inner layer of the tooth (the pulp) that contains blood vessels and nerve endings, it can cause severe pain. That’s why it is better to visit a dentist on a regular basis and treat tooth decay before it causes a toothache. 

2. Enamel wear

If you have worn out tooth enamel, it is not surprising that you can experience toothache and teeth sensitivity. Your tooth enamel can become thin because of aggressive tooth brushing, teeth grinding, increased consumption of sweet and acidic foods and drinks, oral piercings, acid reflux, etc. Dental bonding and crowns can prevent the further wear out of your tooth enamel and help you get rid of toothache. 

3.  Chipped tooth

Even though a chipped tooth is not deemed dangerous, it can also be painful and sensitive to temperature changes. You can chip a tooth while chewing pencils or other hard objects, playing contact sports, and during accidents. Additionally, your tooth enamel can chip when it becomes too thin. Chips on the teeth can be easily restored with the help of dental bonding for filling.

4. Tooth fracture

Tooth fracture is a quite serious issue that is usually accompanied by severe toothache. If your tooth is cracked to the roots or entirely broken, you need to contact a dental clinic and treat such a tooth as soon as possible. In addition to toothache, tooth fracture can also increase your risk of getting tooth decay and dental abscess. That’s why the broken tooth should be restored. 

5. Loose fillings

If you have dental fillings, you should check them from time to time. The point is that dental fillings can become loose or even fall out over time. This can result in toothache, increased tooth sensitivity, and bad breath (since bacteria and food particles can accumulate under the filling). That’s why you need to visit a dentist on a regular basis and replace loose or missing fillings. 

6. Dental abscess

A dental abscess is a condition in which the infection penetrates the tooth and leads to the development of a sac with pus. The most common symptoms of a dental abscess include severe toothache, tooth sensitivity, bad breath, swollen gums, and unpleasant taste in the mouth. If you have noticed at least some of these symptoms, contact your dentist immediately since a sac with pus can burst. 

7. Gum recession

Gum recession is a condition in which your gums shrink and detach from the teeth. As a result, the roots of the tooth may become exposed and react with severe pain to cold and heat. Gum recession can occur as a result of untreated gingivitis (gum disease), aggressive tooth brushing, poor oral hygiene, hormonal changes, teeth grinding, shifted teeth, tobacco use, and oral piercing. 

The bottom line

If you experience a toothache, you need to make an appointment with a dentist as soon as possible. Indeed, you can use pain medications to improve your condition. But you should understand that only a dentist can perform the proper treatment.