It may be that you’ve suffered from a niggling pain that hasn’t ever gone away or maybe it flares up from time to time, but you’ve always been too busy to investigate. Or perhaps you just feel a certain amount of pain or discomfort is normal when eating a type of food or at particular times. Well let us clarify something, toothache or tooth pain generally results from a previous or recent injury or an underlying condition, both of which require addressing not ignoring!
What level of pain are you experiencing?
The level of pain you experience may differ drastically to someone else or even to a previous occasion when you, yourself, felt the discomfort. It could be of low intensity and prolonged, or high intensity and just a few minutes each time. It is always best to contact a professional and get the treatment you need at a dentist in Sydney to have the condition of your teeth examined in detail.
Some typical causes of toothache and pain
While there are many possible causes for toothache or pain and therefore it is always worth consulting with your dentist, here are some common causes that you may be experiencing.
Gum disease
Gum disease is a common cause of oral pain and other symptoms include blood when you brush your teeth or occasionally, bad breath. Bacteria in plaque can build up around your teeth and gums, leading to gingivitis and if left untreated, periodontitis. Both of these conditions have the potential to lead to swelling and soreness of the gums and potentially the loss of teeth and jawbone deterioration. It’s important not to ignore sore gums and you need to apply a good oral hygiene routine that includes brushing twice a day at the minimum, flossing to remove plaque from between your teeth and gums, and rinsing your mouth with an antibacterial mouthwash to ensure there is as little plaque build-up as possible. If you are unsure of how to fully address your gum disease please speak to a dentist who can recommend a treatment course for you personally.
Exposed nerves and/or tooth decay
Again we have to mention plaque. Plaque build-up on the teeth essentially turns sugars to acids allowing your teeth to decay. This decay causes holes in your teeth, cavities and the potential for gum disease. Tooth pain is a major symptom of holes in your teeth, alongside bad breath, tooth sensitivity when consuming hot and cold foods, and grey, brown or black spots appearing on your teeth. Regular consultations with a dentist will allow them to identify tooth decay early and treat it properly. With a good oral health routine at home as mentioned before, you should be able to keep tooth decay at bay, however if you suspect you have any of the symptoms above it should be high on your list of priorities to visit a dentist to have them addressed quickly.
What else?
Some other common causes of tooth pain include cavities, an injury resulting in a cracked tooth or perhaps jaw ache from grinding your teeth. You may experience sensitive teeth from certain foods or beverages. All of these things should be taken seriously and never ignored. They should be properly addressed by your dentist.