Common Causes of a Toothache

The experience of a toothache is terribly unpleasant, and one that you will remember for some time to come. The best advice we can give to our patients is take measures to preserve your oral health, reducing your likelihood of ever getting a toothache. This includes brushing twice a day for at least two full minutes each time, and flossing once every day. Including an antibacterial mouthwash into your daily routine also adds protection against harmful bacteria that may lead to one of the common causes of a toothache, which include the following:

Tooth Decay

Tooth decay, or a cavity, is caused when harmful bacteria weakens enamel, the outer surface of a tooth. When only the enamel is affected, a cavity causes no pain. Left untreated, tooth decay will progress to the deeper layers of the tooth, closer to the root and the nerve. Once a cavity has enlarged to reach the dentin, a toothache becomes more likely. Toothaches associated with cavities feel like sharp pain, and may last only temporarily. The problem with this temporary pain is that treatment may be put off as pain disappears, thus leading to the worsening of tooth decay.

Abscess

Abscess is a condition that may occur due to tooth decay or advanced gum disease. When an abscess occurs, infection is present, affecting either the root of a tooth or gum tissue surrounding a tooth. To remedy an abscess and eliminate the intense pain it causes, the underlying infection must be treated.

Wisdom Teeth

In many cases, pain in the mouth may be attributed to the growth of wisdom teeth, which tend to appear during adolescence or early adulthood. Wisdom teeth that are impacted may cause dull pain as they attempt to grow in where there is no room. When there is room in the mouth for wisdom teeth to erupt, pain may develop as the teeth break through gum tissue. Through regular dental exams that include x-rays, Dr. Alkhoury can monitor wisdom teeth and recommend the right time for extraction.

A toothache is not something that should be ignored, although some say to see your dentist after two days if pain persists. Because there is always a cause behind a toothache, Dr. Alkhoury recommends our patients to call for evaluation right away to accommodate speedy and conservative treatment.

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