Causes of Tooth Pain

When the cavity deepens to reach the tooth’s nerves, a person begins experiencing intense pain.

People experience tooth pain in different ways. It can present as a persistent dull ache, throbbing ache, or jabbing sharp pain accompanied by gum swelling, headache, fever, and other symptoms. Regardless of how the pain feels, it’s always a signal that something is wrong with a tooth. 

Here are some common causes of toothache:

Tooth caries extending to the nerves

Dental cavities, sometimes called “dental caries,” are spots or holes that develop on the tooth’s surface. A cavity is barely noticeable in its early stages and won’t hurt. However, as it enlarges and erodes the enamel, the tooth becomes sensitive, especially when brushing and drinking a cold or hot beverage.

When the cavity deepens to reach the tooth’s nerves, a person begins experiencing intense pain. Worse still, bacteria can colonize the cavity and infect the gum. The build-up pressure beneath the tooth causes a throbbing pain. 

Typically, cavities result from failing to brush and floss properly. The food particles stuck in the teeth allow bacteria to thrive. In turn, they produce acids that weaken the tooth enamel. 

Gum disease as a result of bacterial infection

Physicians also call gum disease “periodontal disease.” The No. 1 cause of this disease is bacteria infection from the build-up of a sticky film called “plaque” on the teeth. The first stage of gum disease is called “gingivitis.” It is less severe, resulting in red, puffy, and bleeding gums during flossing and brushing. Since there’s no bone loss, gum disease is treatable in this stage. 

If left untreated, the bacteria erode the bone and tissues holding the teeth. Other symptoms, like pus along the gum line and persistent bad breath, may also develop. Eventually, teeth start falling out. 

Wisdom teeth

Wisdom teeth grow at the back of the mouth and are always the last to emerge. Typically, they start developing between the ages of 17 to 26. 

These teeth might fail to fully emerge because there isn’t enough space in the mouth. As a result, they might push against the neighboring teeth. The teeth might also erupt sideways or misaligned. In this case, they might press the underlying bone and nerves, causing pain. 

Clenching the jaw

Besides poor dental hygiene, tooth pain can result from stress-related habits such as clenching the jaw. Jaw clenching or bruxism can damage the joints connecting the lower jaw to the skull. Consequently, this condition results in unrestricted jaw movement and pain, extending to the teeth, gum, and other tissues.

Know the cause of tooth pain

There are many causes of tooth pain. However, the good news is that it is preventable by practicing proper hygiene, managing stress appropriately, and visiting a dentist regularly for check-ups. For any unexplainable tooth pain, visit a dentist immediately for an accurate diagnosis and treatment.

If you need a gentle, caring dental team, please call Jennifer Fineberg’s office at (623) 362-2550. We’ll give you the very best dental care we can!