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Tuesday, February 5, 2019

It Might Not Be a Cavity: 3 Causes of a Toothache

Did you know that the dental industry’s estimated to reach $60 billion by 2024?

Struggling with pain in your mouth and wondering what are the causes of a toothache? Not to worry! In this article, we’ll go over some of the main culprits behind discomfort in your teeth.

Want to learn more? Keep reading to find out!

Causes of a Toothache

Even if you are super careful about your oral care, someday you may experience a toothache. There are many possible causes behind sensitive teeth other than a cavity. Nonetheless, keep up a good routine to promote healthy teeth.

1. Tooth Pulp Becomes Inflamed

Pulpitis refers to the inflamed and irritated tissue in the middle of the tooth. Pressure from the inflammation builds in the tooth. The surrounding tissue feels that pressure, and you’ll have discomfort.

Pulpitis can occur in one or more tooth. It’s caused by bacteria invading the tooth’s pulp, causing irritation and swelling.

You can have either irreversible or reversible pulpitis. Reversible pulpitis is the better of the two scenarios. The inflammation’s mild, but the tooth pulp is healthy enough to save.

Irreversible pulpitis is much worse. You may have symptoms of severe pain and swelling, and the tooth isn’t savable. Try and seek treatment right away because the discomfort will worsen.

2. A Dental Abscess

There are three types of abscesses: periodontal, periapical, and gingival.

A periapical abscess occurs when bacteria grow within the pulp chamber. It then becomes infected, and the infection drains into the tip of the tooth root. Pressure from the draining infection causes severe pain and swelling if untreated.

A periodontal abscess occurs when an abscess is on the gum next to the root of a tooth. It could spread to surrounding bone and tissue. Gingival abscesses are on gums.

You may have throbbing pain in your gums or near a tooth. The pain arrives fast and worsens over time. Other symptoms include jaw pain, facial redness, or swelling. If you have pain while chewing, you could have an abscess.

Make sure you seek treatment. Focus on your oral care and continue to floss your back teeth to keep your mouth healthy.

3. A Cracked Tooth

As you age, teeth weaken due to pressure from chewing and biting. The force from chewing or biting down on ice or hard candy can cause teeth to crack.

Teeth crack from teeth grinding, a hit to the face, or abrupt changes in temperature in the mouth. If you eat something cold and then something hot, you could crack a tooth.

If you have pain during chewing or biting, you might have a cracked tooth. Other signs include sensitivity to cold and hot temperatures or sour and sweet foods. Treatment for this condition depends on the direction and location of the crack.

If you have a tooth with a vertical crack extending through it to the gum line, you may need an extraction.

A split tooth has a crack traveling from its surface below the gum line. Its separated into two parts. With such a crack, your dentist could save a part of the tooth.

Contact Us Today

We hope you found this article on causes of a toothache insightful. Sometimes it’s not a cavity but something else. Try and continue a regime promoting good oral care and seek treatment from a professional if you’re in pain.

Want to learn more? Contact us today. We would love to chat with you.



source https://www.golsendental.com/it-might-not-be-a-cavity-3-causes-of-a-toothache/