Do you have a toothache? If so, you’re not alone. In fact, one out of every three people in the world will suffer from dental pain at some point during their lifetime. Even worse, many people don’t know why they have a toothache and how to alleviate it.
19 Reasons Why Your Teeth Might Be Hurting
Here are 19 common reasons why your teeth might hurt and what to do about them.
Tooth Decay
Tooth decay can be defined as “the demineralization of tooth structure due to the bacterial invasion into the dental hard tissue, which causes an imbalance in the mineral content within tooth components.” Tooth decay is one of the most common reasons why your teeth hurt. If you think about it, just about everything we eat has sugar in it. Tooth decay is the bacteria on your teeth feeding on sugars and releasing acid as a byproduct. The acidic environment created within one’s mouth will dissolve tooth enamel, but more importantly, the gums! Once tooth decay has progressed to this point, it can leave an individual with various levels of gum disease.
Sinus Infection
A sinus infection may affect the maxillary, ethmoid or frontal sinuses. The sinuses are a series of hollow cavities within the bones surrounding the nose and eyes. When an individual has a sinus infection, it restricts their airflow, leading to headaches and dental pain. To relieve this type of toothache, one must see a physician to cure the sinus infection.
Food Stuck in Teeth
If you think about it, what we eat goes in our mouth, and it eventually makes its way to the stomach. It doesn’t stay in one’s mouth for too long, but while food is caught between teeth, it can be not very reassuring. This type of toothache is commonly known as “dental pain from an unknown origin.” It should be noted that food particles can get stuck between your teeth for various reasons, such as poor oral health or missing teeth.
Jaw Injury
A jaw injury can be pretty serious, especially if you think about the many bones in your body that are being supported by the lower part of your face. For this reason, a jaw injury is one of the most painful injuries an individual can have! Jaw pain caused by an injury will often times awaken individuals from sleep or leave them unable to open their mouths. It is important to note that to alleviate dental pain in this situation, one will need to see a dentist to correct the underlying jaw injury.
Teeth Grinding
Teeth grinding is a common cause of sleeping problems. If you grind your teeth while sleeping, it will eventually lead to tooth pain in the morning. This is caused by the excessive pressure on one’s teeth when grinding their teeth at night. People who grind their teeth are often clenching their jaw, which can lead to TMJ.
Teeth Clenching
Similar to teeth grinding, teeth clenching can also lead to tooth pain and TMJ. The excessive tension in the jaw muscles caused by teeth clenching can lead to serious dental problems. If you clench or grind your teeth at night, you must see a dentist to fix the problem.
Enamel Erosion
Did you know that tooth enamel is the hardest substance in your entire body? It is, but unfortunately, tooth enamel can erode over time if one consumes acidic foods or drinks AND doesn’t brush their teeth after. Suppose an individual starts to consume acidic foods and drinks over a long period. In that case, they will gradually develop cavities because acid wears away tooth enamel and eventually leads to tooth decay. When this erosive process happens, one can develop sensitive mouth and tooth pain.
Gum Disease
Did you know that gum disease is not just a cosmetic problem? Well, it isn’t, and it can affect your teeth quite significantly if left untreated. Gum disease can lead to tooth loss and bad breath. If you think that gum disease often starts as very mild symptoms such as swollen or tender gums, you will realize that you need to see a dentist ASAP if gum disease is one of your greatest fears.
TMJ Disorder
Did you know that a bad bite is a leading cause of tooth pain? Well, it is, and TMJ disorder is one of the most common causes. If you clench, grind, or even misalign your teeth while chewing or yawning, this can result in TMJ disorder. The malfunction of the jaw joint caused by TMD can lead to significant dental problems such as toothaches, jaw pain, and even headaches.
Pregnancy
There is a dramatic increase in the hormone progesterone during pregnancy, which can lead to severe tooth pain and headaches. If you are pregnant and constantly experiencing these problems, it is important to see a dentist as soon as possible because one might need an analgesic injection or some medicine to help with your symptoms.
Receding Gums
Many people don’t know this, but receding gums is one of the most severe forms of gum disease. If you suffer from receding gums, it means that your teeth are slowly moving away from the alveolar bone that holds them in place. The teeth will eventually become loose and can fall out if left untreated for too long.
Acidic Foods
Eating acidic foods for years is one of the most common causes of tooth sensitivity. If you constantly eat acidic foods, your teeth will gradually lose their protective enamel coating. Tooth enamel is the hardest substance in your entire body, but unfortunately, it can erode if consumed too long.
Gum Infection
Did you know that gum infections are one of the most common causes of tooth pain? Well, it is, and if you have a gum infection, then your teeth will feel very sensitive to hot and cold temperatures. If you have a toothache and feel like a simple cavity is causing it, then think about seeing a dentist ASAP because you might have developed a gum infection.
Cracked Tooth
You must pay attention to how your teeth feel because they usually tell you if something is wrong. If one of your teeth feels as though it has been cracked, then it probably has been, and this will result in a good amount of tooth pain. It can be difficult to identify a crack on a tooth because most people don’t know what they feel like, but if you pay attention to how your teeth feel, you can probably identify a crack before it gets too bad.
Wisdom Teeth Crowning
Wisdom teeth are the last set of molars to erupt during an individual’s late teens or early twenties, but sometimes these teeth don’t properly emerge. Wisdom teeth can become impacted, which can result in a lot of tooth pain during their breakthrough. If you have wisdom teeth coming in and you feel as though they might be crowning, you should see a dentist immediately because this will cause significant dental problems.
Wisdom Teeth Overcrowding
Wisdom teeth are meant to erupt within a specific space, but sometimes this doesn’t happen. If your wisdom teeth don’t properly fit into the spot where they are meant to arise from, you will have overcrowding, resulting in a lot of tooth pain. Overcrowded wisdom teeth make it difficult for other teeth to emerge properly, so it is important to see a dentist ASAP if your wisdom teeth are overcrowded.
Tooth Infection
If you think that you have an infection developing on one of your teeth, it is important to see a dentist as soon as possible. If left untreated, the decay will travel deeper into your tooth and can even make its way towards bones, which is never good. Infections cause severe tooth pain because they are immune to over-the-counter painkillers, so you need to see a dentist asap if this is your problem.
Teeth Whitening/Bleaching Products
Teeth whitening is a prevalent form of cosmetic dentistry, but it can also cause tooth pain if the person whitening your teeth isn’t experienced enough. If you have had your teeth bleached too many times, you might start to notice that they become uncomfortable and sensitive to hot and cold temperatures. If this is the case, then you might need to see a dentist for further treatment.
Tooth Sensitivity
Tooth sensitivity is one of the most common causes of tooth pain, and it can affect anyone at any time. If you feel like your teeth are more sensitive than usual, they probably don’t have enough enamel to protect them. We all need to be aware of how our teeth feel daily to figure out when something is wrong, but if you are concerned, it is best to seek professional care.
Talk to Your Dentist About Your Teeth Hurting
When one of your teeth hurts, the best thing you can do for yourself is to talk to a dentist about it. Your dentist has extensive knowledge concerning tooth pain. If they decide that you might have developed a cavity, your dentist will take the necessary steps to fix the problem.