Whether tooth pain arises suddenly or gradually, it’s unignorable. Typically sharp and short or dull and lingering, in either case, remedying it quickly is necessary as some of the reasons it may occur can be serious and detrimental to your health.

Avoiding dentist appointments is not uncommon, so we’re covering seven frequent causes of tooth discomfort. An affliction like one of these requires a visit to your trusted dental practice. You’ll be glad you made the call.

Possible Reasons for Tooth Pain

Abscessed tooth

A tooth abscess forms when there is an infection at the tooth’s roots. Only a visit to the dentist will properly address this situation. Antibiotics are needed, and the tooth needs to be treated immediately. If you fail to address an abscessed tooth promptly, it will lead to widespread infection.

Decayed tooth

Cavities are holes in the teeth that are caused by decay. Tooth decay is caused by poor dental hygiene and by eating sugary foods. It also is caused by medications that cause dry mouth, such as antacids, antihistamines, and blood pressure medication.

Temperature sensitivity

Most cold sensitivity occurs at or near the neck of the tooth or gumline. Often the part of the tooth that becomes sensitive is the dentin exposed due to the wearing of the outer protective layers of enamel and cementum. However, sensitivity also can result from a cavity, a lost or loose filling, or an exposed root surface. The majority of sufferers fall into the latter category.

Overbrushing

Overbrushing is known as “tooth abrasion,” and it can cause serious damage to your mouth. Vigorous brushing can wear down the enamel on the teeth and push back the gums exposing the sensitive root area. Receding gums can lead to other dental problems such as periodontal disease and cavities on the roots of the teeth. This can result in the need for treatments such as fillings, root canals, and tooth extraction.

Sinus infection

A sinus infection (sinusitis) or inflammation can cause a toothache — specifically in the upper rear teeth, which are close to the sinuses. In fact, pain in the upper teeth is a fairly common symptom of sinus conditions.

Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction (TMD)

Clenching your jaw and grinding your teeth results from too much stress in life and the body. Some people develop tooth pain associated with the temporomandibular joint (TM). The actions of clenching and grinding put additional pressure on the jaw muscles, which can cause tooth pain. If your tooth pain is caused by TMJ syndrome, your dentist may recommend a TMJ dental splint to reposition the lower jaw. In less serious cases, warm compresses, eating soft foods, and taking measures to reduce stress will help.

Wisdom teeth

Some people have enough room in their mouth for their wisdom teeth to come in with no problem. When the space isn’t big enough, they are “impacted.” That means that the molars are trapped under your gumline or in your jaw. They can cause pain, swelling, and stiffness. The dentist will determine if they are coming in properly or if they will need to be removed.

Take Tooth Pain Seriously

This is not an exhaustive list of causes for dental discomfort. If you are in pain and need a quick remedy, you can try things at home. However, it would be best if you saw a dentist as soon as you can. All of the things we’ve mentioned in this article require examination and treatment.

Maintain a regular and comprehensive oral hygiene routine. Brush and floss every day and see your dentist twice a year because preventative measures will help you avoid tooth pain in the long run. If you have questions about your teeth or need to make an appointment, please contact us or call us at 828.277.5024. You also can follow us on Facebook.