Tooth Pain

Category

General Dentistry

Tooth pain may occur because of tooth sensitivity, a mouth injury, decay, an infection, or other issues. How bad your tooth pain isn't necessarily a reflection of the severity of the problem, either. Tooth pain can be sharp and throbbing or dull and achy. It can make it difficult to chew, concentrate, or even sleep. A toothache can be significant even if it is caused by a relatively minor problem. That can make it hard to tell when tooth pain is serious, and you need to get to the dentist.

Common causes of a toothache that relate to your oral health include:

• Gum disease
• Tooth decay
• Sensitive Teeth
• Bruxism (grinding teeth while awake and/or asleep)
• A cracked tooth due to mouth trauma
• A tooth abscess (infection in the center of the tooth)
• An impacted tooth (a tooth that doesn't fully break through the gums)2
• Tooth pulp inflammation (called pulpitis), which causes pain in the center of the tooth3

 

To determine the cause of your tooth pain, your dentist may take a medical history, give you a physical exam, and have you undergo an imaging test, such as an X-ray.

Treatments for tooth pain depend on the underlying cause.

They may include:

• Medication
• Oral rinses
• Oral devices
• Dental Procedures

Most conditions that cause tooth pain can get worse or cause additional problems if they're not taken care of early on. It's always best to get checked and start treatment as soon as possible.