What's Causing Your Toothache?

Dentist Blog

Toothaches are very unwelcoming, and they often come at the most inopportune times. Toothaches are uncomfortable, cause discomfort, and can sometimes be downright debilitating. Thankfully, most toothaches are just temporary. However, when a toothaches goes on for a couple of days or longer and doesn't seem to be improving, it is important that you seek assistance from your family dentist. Toothaches can be caused by a number of causes, and your family dentist will be able to perform a full examination and get to the root cause of the ache. Speaking of toothache causes, this article will take a look at some of the common causes of toothaches and tooth decay.

Poor Brushing and Flossing

If you brush too hard, use a hard-bristled toothbrush, or floss an excessive amount, you may actually be causing your toothache. If there is no other explanation for your existing toothache, then one of these things may be causing your pain and discomfort. Try familiarizing yourself with the right way to brush and floss, and you may just be surprised that your toothache gets better.

Damaged Fillings

If you have any fillings in your mouth and one of them becomes damaged (such as loose or chipped), then the part of the tooth that the filling was protecting will be exposed, resulting in pain.

Chipped/Broken Teeth

When a tooth has suffered some type of damage such as a chip, crack, or break or some kind, then there is a good chance that the nerves of the tooth are exposed. In a case like this, you can be in severe pain, and you will need to make an appointment with your dentist immediately.

Teeth Grinding

The scientific term for teeth grinding is bruxism, and when this occurs, there is additional pressure placed on the teeth, which can often result in toothaches. As a general rule, teeth grinding occurs at night while you are sleeping. If you believe that you may have an issue with bruxism, talk to your dentist about having a custom-made mouthguard to wear at night to prevent the grinding of the teeth.

Worn Enamel

If you have noticed that your tooth aches after drinking or eating something that is hot or cold, then the problem may be in that your enamel has weakened and worn down—in which case it is not properly protecting your teeth. While you cannot get your enamel back after it has worn down, it is possible to start using a toothpaste specifically designed for sensitive teeth. You can also talk to your dentist about restorative options.

To help prevent any of the aforementioned from happening, visit your family dentist once every six months for a comprehensive examination and cleaning. This bi-annual visit will help to catch and resolve toothache-causing problems before they can result in discomfort and pain. If you are already in pain, schedule an appointment with your dentist as soon as possible.

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19 November 2018

Mouth Rinses Are Not Just for Bad Breath

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.