What’s Causing My Toothache?

Toothache is not actually a dental problem - it is a symptom, and can be a symptom of many different dental problems. Toothaches are caused by the dental nerve being somehow bothered and sending pain signals to the brain. There are many things which can bother the dental nerve, and there are many reasons why it might be experiencing pain, and depending on the cause of your toothache, its treatment and the price of getting rid of your toothache can vary greatly. Here are the 4 most common causes of toothache.

1)   Tooth decay

The most common cause of tooth ache is none other than tooth decay. Tooth decay is the phenomenon when the bacteria in your mouth have proliferated to the extent where their acidic by products dissolve the enamel in your teeth, leaving a hole, or cavity on the tooth. Since the dental nerve is now closer to the air, it reacts with it and sends pain messages to the brain. The only way to get this fixed is to get a filling.

2)   Infection

Infections of the soft tissue, like periodontitis can eventually cause a tooth to hurt. This is because the bacteria taking hold of your gums (this is what periodontitis is, essentially) also produce acidic by products, which then burn or otherwise irritate your dental nerve. The swelling of the soft tissues may also be uncomfortable, as the increased mass can start to press down on the nerve, causing damage and eliciting pain. In these cases a course of antibiotics will eventually ease the pain.

3)   Trauma

A sudden breakage or injury to the mouth can cause the dental nerve top become inflamed and to send pain signals. The tooth in question doesn’t even have to be badly damaged for this to occur. If during the trauma any of the teeth moved, even imperceptibly slightly, or if the gums became damaged, then the dental nerve may well have been affected. In these cases sometimes the pain goes away on its own, but at other times it pain medication may need to be sought.

4)   Cracking, microfissures

Sometimes teeth will start to “act up” without any visible reason at all. No traumas had been suffered, there are no infections, no visible cavities or pre-cavities, but yet the tooth still hurts. In these cases, the enamel is usually cracked or otherwise missing. This means there is no protective layer between the dental nerve at the inside of the tooth and the outside world, which will cause pain. This is also the cause for tooth sensitivity, and for teeth reacting to hot cold, or spicy foods.

 Remedies

Depending on what is causing your toothache, there are many simple ways to rectify the problem. If you have a crack or cavity or damage to your tooth, then the dental nerve needs to be insulated again. This can be done with a composite resin filling. If the problem is an inflammation, then a course of antibiotics and pain medication will rectify the situation. No matter what the cause, a toothache is always a cause to book an appointment with your dentist as soon as possible.