If you have tooth pain, you know how hard it is to ignore. A toothache can be extremely uncomfortable and make it difficult to eat or even concentrate on daily tasks. To alleviate your discomfort, it is necessary to determine the cause of your dental pain first. Your dentist is qualified to diagnosis and treat your smile discomfort.
Tooth pain is not uncommon, and it is not always serious. However, it always needs to be addressed. Here are the most popular culprits:
Decay
Sudden or worsening tooth pain can be a sign of a cavity, especially in children. A small area of decay can be undetectable without x-rays, yet it can cause extreme pain. A cavity means that there is a small hole in the enamel layer of your tooth, if it gets deep enough, your tooth will become extra sensitive and painful. A dental filling is needed to repair the cavity and eliminate the discomfort.
Infection
Your body is prone to infection, and your mouth is not excluded. An infection can develop in the gums or near the end of a tooth. This is often a result of poor oral hygiene. A dental abscess presents itself as a pocket of pus on the gums. You may also feel radiating pain and pressure into your jaw. Gum infections and dental abscesses are issues that need to be addressed as soon as possible. Neglecting to do so can lead to worsening pain and threats to your overall health.
Enamel Erosion
Does coffee and ice cream accelerate your tooth pain? This is an indication that you have thin or weak tooth enamel, which is the hard, outer layer of your tooth. When this layer gets damaged (either by acidic foods and drinks or the natural aging process), the inner dentin layer becomes exposed. Since dentin houses the nerve ends of your tooth, sensitivity can result.
Teeth Grinding or Clenching
If you notice that your dental pain is more pronounced in the morning, you may have a teeth grinding (or bruxism) habit while you sleep. This can make your teeth sore and cause pain or tightness in your jaw. Excessive grinding can also wear away your tooth enamel and make your teeth sensitive. A custom nighttime mouthguard can restore your smile comfort.
Fractures
It doesn’t take much damage to a tooth to cause pain. In fact, just an inconspicuous hairline crack in your tooth can trigger pain. Your tooth contains sensitive nerves. If any part of the tooth structure is compromised (chipped, cracked or broken), the nerves are exposed. Seeking treatment promptly is imperative because in this case your tooth pain means that your tooth is exposed to harmful bacteria, and serious dental issues become a risk.
At Old Greenwich Dental, we can handle each and every one of these tooth pain culprits. In fact, we use the latest technology in the industry to ensure we eliminate your tooth pain effectively and promptly. We offer custom mouthguards, crowns, tooth-colored fillings and more. Don’t suffer through dental pain; it is often a warning sign that your smile needs professional attention.
