What Is Causing My Toothache?
Toothache Mississauga: Tooth hurting? From cavities to temporomandibular joint disorders, a toothache can have many causes.
In this article, we explore the most common toothache causes. Let’s jump right in.
Tooth Decay
Tooth decay or cavities occur when bacteria in the mouth feed on food particles, producing acid that damages the surface of the tooth, the enamel. Tooth decay can create holes in your teeth that cause infection and pain.
It’s one of the most common reasons why people end up scheduling an appointment with a dentist.
Cavities start small and are initially painless so that it’s easy to forget about them—until your teeth start hurting.
Small cavities can be managed through fillings and other dental treatments. So even if you have some, it doesn’t have to mean your tooth has to come out.
Damaged Filling
Another common cause of toothache is a damaged or lost filling. Dental fillings fill gaps in the teeth made by cavities.
If they become damaged or fall out of place, you may experience tooth pain, especially when you bite. The severity of the pain depends on how close the damage/cavity is to the tooth nerve.
Your dentist will decide the best treatment for your situation.
Toothache Mississauga – Abscess
An abscessed tooth causes severe, throbbing pain that can spread to your ear, jaw, or neck. It occurs when the root of a tooth becomes infected, whether because of an existing tooth or gum condition or because of recent injury.
If you suspect you have a dental abscess, it’s important to see your dentist immediately to prevent widespread infection. Treatment for an abscessed tooth often requires antibiotics.
Toothache Mississauga – Injury
From cracking a tooth on a tiny stone lost among food to suffering an accident while playing contact sports, dental injuries come in many varieties. Signs include tooth discoloring, bruising, cracking, or breaking.
If you’ve suffered an injury that affected one or more teeth, see a dentist immediately. It will increase your chances of keeping your tooth.
Toothache Mississauga – Wisdom Tooth
The eruption of a wisdom tooth can be painful, especially if the tooth is not coming out properly. Wisdom teeth can erupt as early as age 14 in some people, but they may take up until age 30 to fully emerge through the gums.
If your toothache is at the back of your mouth and you are still in your 20s, a wisdom tooth could be to blame. Schedule an appointment with your dentist to get your wisdom teeth checked.
Toothache Mississauga – Sensitivity
Your tooth may also hurt as a result of hot or cold sensitivity when you eat or drink foods. This usually happens when the gums recede or there are cracks in the enamel of the teeth.
Tooth sensitivity pain is typically brief. But it can be a sign of dental problems to come, so it’s best to see a dentist.
Temporomandibular Joint Disorders (TMJ)
Grinding or clenching your teeth (bruxism) can lead to wear and tear of the enamel and toothaches. Some people grind their teeth in their sleep. Others may do it during the day.
It can be a sign of a temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ), which can have multiple causes, including a bad bite and stress.
Signs of TMJ include waking with a sore jaw, hearing clicking or popping noises when you move your jaw, or having difficulties opening your mouth fully.
Unless you’ve already been diagnosed with bruxism or TMJ, it can be difficult to tell whether your toothache is due to this condition rather than other causes. So, it’s important to have a dentist to check your mouth.
Toothache Mississauga – The Wrap Up
When you have a toothache, the best thing is to schedule a dental appointment without delay.
While you will inevitably think about the potential causes of your toothache as you wait for your appointment, don’t dwell too much on it.
Your dentist will perform a thorough exam to understand what causes your toothache and be able to treat it accordingly.
Experiencing a toothache? Call Karen Dental in Mississauga. We do our best to accommodate same-day emergency appointments.