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If you are experiencing a toothache, there are a few likely causes depending on the type of pain you feel and where it is located in your mouth. Here are a few of the most common symptoms of toothaches and some of the underlying reasons for them.
Tooth Decay
The most likely cause of your pain is that you are suffering from tooth decay. If the pain is mild to moderate and continuous, it’s likely that you have a cavity. Tooth pain is caused by a reaction to damage from the nerves inside of the tooth pulp, so if you have a persistent ache, the damage is deep enough to have reached the inside of your tooth.
Abscess
If your tooth is swollen or has a bad-tasting fluid coming out, or you are experiencing a headache or fever along with severe pain, then it’s possible that a painful abscess has formed beneath the root, and the inside of the tooth is severely decayed. Your dentist will need to perform a root canal to drain the abscess and the infection inside in order to try and save the tooth.
Teeth Grinding or Sinus Problems
If you grind your teeth a lot or chew lots of gum, you could end up with an achy jaw. Grinding and clenching make the teeth brittle and lead to cracks and chips. If you have a dull ache in your upper jaw, it’s possible that the pain is actually sinus related, but it can be difficult to pinpoint the exact location of the source without the help of your dentist.
Dental Work or Cracked Tooth
If you’ve recently had any kind of dental procedure done, it’s normal to experience some tooth sensitivity when chewing or when eating hot or cold foods, but the pain should subside over time. On the other hand, if you have older fillings and feel sudden sharp pain when you chew, your tooth or the old filling could be cracked, damaged, or have even completely fallen out, leaving the inside of the tooth exposed to infection.
If you are experiencing any kind of tooth pain or frequent sensitivity, it’s always a good idea to call your dentist. Texas Dental offers emergency services at two locations in San Antonio, so you can get the treatment you need as soon as possible. Prevention is key in avoiding dental emergencies so contact us today to schedule an appointment for an exam.