Not all tooth pain feels the same. It can have different causes. Read on to learn about some common toothache symptoms and the reasons why they happen.
1. Sensitivity Twinges
If you have dental sensitivity, then your teeth will twinge with a sharp shooting pain when you eat or drink something hot, cold, sweet, or acidic. Teeth can also feel sensitive when you brush them.
Some people have sensitivity pain because they have lost some enamel on one or more teeth. If you lose enamel, then the dentin in a tooth is exposed. The tooth will hurt when it comes into contact with certain substances. This can be a short-term problem, say after a tooth whitening procedure, or it can be a more permanent issue. For example, common causes for sensitivity include overbrushing, tooth grinding, and gum disease.
2. Dull Aches
Sometimes you feel tooth pain as a dull ache. Your tooth might hurt all the time. This pain can be minor to start with but can get worse. Dull aches in teeth are often caused by dental decay. They are a sign that you are developing a cavity or have a cavity that your dentist needs to fill.
3. Throbbing Pains
While some toothaches don't give you too much trouble, some dental problems cause deeper throbbing pains. A tooth might feel like it is pulsating all of the time. Persistent throbbing in a tooth can be a sign of an abscess or infection. This pain often worsens if you eat or drink something hot and lessens if you eat or drink something cold. This pain needs immediate treatment. If you have an infection, you might need antibiotics and a root canal.
4. Chewing Pains
Teeth feel OK most of the time; however, they hurt when you use them to chew. You might experience a sharp pain when you eat on the affected tooth. This is often a sign that you have some tooth damage. For example, you might have cracked a tooth. The pain starts when you put enough pressure on the tooth to make the crack move or irritate its nerve. Early abscesses and infections can also hurt more when you eat.
If you or your child has any kind of tooth pain, even if it seems minor, then you should schedule an appointment with your family dental care clinic. Early tooth pain is easier to treat; it will only get worse if you don't deal with it.
Share11 August 2023
I have always brushed and flossed my teeth daily, but I still had the occasional cavity when I visited the dentist for a check-up. He told me it was normal to have a cavity on occasion and that I shouldn't let it stress me out too much. Well, I am not one to just accept any problem I am having, so I started looking into how to improve my oral hygiene even more. I had always thought mouthwash was just to improve your breath, but I found some that said they helped keep cavities away. I started using one every day before bed. I haven't had a cavity in two years now, and I think the mouth rinse is the reason! I created this blog to remind other people that even if they brush and floss regularly, they can always find ways to take even better care of their teeth.
