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List of 10 Common Causes of Toothache

Living with a persistent and throbbing toothache can prove painful and disruptive when it comes to carrying on with daily activities like concentrating on work or nighttime sleep. Understanding the causes of a toothache is the initial step you have to take to curb your toothache. This then leads to finding the best dentist to suggest a cure for the same. In this blog, let us see some common causes of having a toothache and how to combat it in a convenient way, such as preventive measures to be followed at home or visiting a dentist regularly.

Common Causes of Toothache

Tooth pain can arise from many underlying issues, ranging from small irritations to severe dental problems. Here are some of the common causes of tooth pain under the crown.

1. Tooth Decay (Dental Cavities)

Tooth decay occurs when plaque (a sticky film of bacteria) builds up on your teeth and produces acids that erode the enamel. As the decay progresses, it can reach the inner layers of the tooth (dentin and pulp), causing sensitivity and persistent pain, especially while eating sweets or hot/cold foods.

2. Gum Disease (Gingivitis and Periodontitis)

Gum disease begins with gingivitis (swollen, red gums) and can progress to periodontitis, where the inner layer of the gum pulls away from the teeth. This can lead to tooth loosening, gum recession, and aching pain. Inflammation around the roots can feel like a deep toothache.

3. Tooth Abscess

A tooth abscess is a pocket of pus caused by a bacterial infection, usually at the root of a tooth or between the tooth and gums. It causes severe, throbbing pain that may radiate to the jaw, ear, or neck. Other symptoms include swelling, fever, and bad taste in the mouth due to pus drainage.

4. Cracked or Broken Tooth

A fracture or crack in the tooth, whether due to injury, chewing hard foods, or teeth grinding can expose the tooth’s inner layers. This makes the tooth highly sensitive to pressure and temperature changes, leading to sharp, intermittent pain.

5. Worn Fillings or Crowns

Dental restorations like fillings or crowns can wear out, break, or become loose over time. When this happens, it may expose the tooth’s sensitive parts or allow bacteria to enter, resulting in discomfort or decay underneath the restoration.

6. Teeth Grinding (Bruxism)

Many people grind or clench their teeth unconsciously, especially during sleep. This habit puts excessive pressure on the teeth and jaw, leading to worn enamel, tooth sensitivity, jaw pain, and dull or sharp toothaches.

7. Impacted Wisdom Teeth

Wisdom teeth that don’t fully emerge or grow at odd angles can push against neighboring teeth, irritate the gums, or get infected. This often leads to pain at the back of the mouth, difficulty chewing, and swelling around the gums.

8. Sinus Infections (Sinusitis)

The roots of your upper molars are close to your sinus cavities. When you have a sinus infection, inflammation or pressure in the sinuses can radiate to the upper teeth, mimicking a toothache. This pain often feels like a dull ache across several teeth.

9. Orthodontic Adjustments

Adjustments to braces or dental aligners can temporarily cause pressure and soreness in teeth as they shift into new positions. This type of toothache is usually mild and resolves within a few days.

10. Tooth Sensitivity

Sensitivity occurs when the protective enamel wears down or gums recede, exposing the underlying dentin. Pain is typically triggered by hot, cold, sweet, or acidic foods and drinks, and is often sharp and sudden.
Causes of Toothache

Common Symptoms for Toothache

  • A sharp or persistent throbbing pain in the teeth
  • Pain in the teeth while chewing or biting
  • Swelling or tenderness of the jaw around the teeth
  • Sensitivity to hot or cold foods or beverages
  • Fever if the pain becomes severe
  • Causes of Tooth Pain under Crown Area 

    After inserting a crown there may be some causes of tooth pain under crown that may occur in few people. Some causes may include-
    • Recurrent decay may occur around the edges of the crown that causes toothache, especially if the oral hygiene is poor.
    • An ill-fit crown can trap food particles and turn into a breeding ground for harmful bacteria leading to tooth inflammation or pain.
    • A cracked crown can sometimes give way to the internal tooth structure making it vulnerable to infections and tooth pain.
    • Nerve damage also is one of the causes of toothache.

    How to Deal with Causes of Toothache?

    If you are experiencing severe toothache, it is important to visit a dentist near you to treat it as soon as possible. They will rightly diagnose and provide the relevant treatment. Until then, avoid chewing on the side where the pain persists, or you can either use home remedies or over-the-counter medicines like Ibuprofen or similar tablets to relieve the pain.
    Causes of Toothache

    Conclusion 

    It is best not to ignore the causes of toothache and visit the dentist at the earliest. While it is difficult to know the origin of the tooth pain, knowing about your medical history, lifestyle or any recent event that may have triggered the pain will definitely help. One such dental clinic that houses the best dentist to treat the symptoms for toothache is Powersmiles dental clinic.

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