Toothache

A toothache refers to the pain that one feels in or around their teeth and even sometimes in their jaws. There are many causes of toothache, including problems with the teeth and jaws. Cracked teeth, cavities, exposed roots, gum disease, and the like are all causes for a toothache. Toothaches may be mild or excruciating. The pain can range from chronic and mild to a sharp, shooting pain that occurs unexpectedly. Temperature changes like cold or hot foods may exacerbate the pain. It is important to have a dental exam that is thorough in order to determine where your toothache is originating from.

Occasionally, you may experience a toothache that is not caused by something in a tooth or in your jaw. Many people don’t believe this, but heart problems can actually cause pain in and around the teeth and even in the jaws. Other causes could be sinus infections, ear infections, heart attack, and angina. If you have a toothache and no immediate cause for it like a cavity, then a checkup with your family doctor is also recommended to check for other health problems.

Dental Causes of Toothaches

Most of the time, if you have a toothache the cause is dental related. Most frequently this includes gum disease, dental cavities, dental abscess, cracked tooth, impaction, eruption, irritation of the tooth root, and more.

More than likely, when you have a toothache a cavity is the cause of it. A cavity, also called caries, is simply a hole that decay creates in the outer layer or two of the tooth. These two layers of the tooth are called the dentin and the enamel. The white part of your tooth that is hard is called the enamel and the layer underneath the enamel that s a yellow color is the dentin. These two lawyers cover and protect the pulp, which is inside the tooth where the nerves and blood vessels are. Cavities occur because of certain bacteria in the mouth. This bacteria works to convert simple sugars into a tooth eating acid. This acid makes the enamel and dentin softer and then the saliva works against the softness of the tooth to wear away the enamel and dentin. A cavity results. Many times small cavities are not even noticed by people, however as the hole gets bigger food can get stuck in there and make the cavity worse. Once the cavity is large enough to cause pain, i.e. a toothache, people tend to make an appointment with their dentist.

The way a cavity is treated is by using a filling. That is, a small cavity is treated this way. Cavities that are much larger require a crown. When a cavity affects the pulp then a root canal is necessary or else the tooth will need to be extracted. When the pulp is injured this can cause a dental abscess, which is quite painful. When the tooth becomes infected in this way the only treatment options are a root canal or removing the tooth.

Gum Disease

The second biggest reason for a toothache is gum disease. This occurs when the soft tissues in the gum are inflamed and there is a loss of bone around the teeth. When plaque is allowed to accumulate along the gum line it can allow gum disease to occur. Plaque is made up of bacteria, food, and saliva, and it sticks to the teeth and the gum line. Gum disease can be noted early on by bleeding gums with little or no pain. When there is pain then it is a sign of more advanced gum disease.

There are other causes of a toothache, but these are the most common. If you experience any of these symptoms it is highly recommended that you visit your dentist as soon as possible for an evaluation.