Why My Tooth Hurts? Here’s 14 Possible Reasons
There are not many things that can throw off your routine quite like a toothache. There are many toothache causes – from a cavity to infected gums and a sinus infection. And while toothache remedies vary from surgery to home remedies for a toothache passed down through generations, any type of toothache is worth a check-in with a dentist. February 9th is National Toothache Day, so we decided to go through 14 most common reasons teeth hurt.
You have a cavity
This is one of the most common reasons your tooth hurts. A cavity is a hole in a tooth caused by decay that eats away at the enamel, the outer shell of a tooth. This decay isn’t what causes a toothache, though. It’s only when the decay reaches the nerve that the tooth starts aching. The best medicine for toothaches caused by a cavity is a visit to the dentist’s office as soon as you notice it.
You Exercise a Lot
Exercise in and of itself doesn’t cause a toothache, but during endurance training, your mouth gets dry, and bacteria thrive vigorously in that environment. If you do long, intense sweat sessions during which you breathe heavily, make sure you replenish fluids you lose as soon as you’re done exercising.
Your Filling Fell Out
A cavity filling can fall out or break partially due to pressure without you even noticing. Food can get pushed in that area and cause pressure, which can cause a toothache or make the tooth sensitive to temperature until it’s fixed.
You Have an Abscess
If a piece of food (Popcorn kernel, for example!) gets stuck between your teeth and you continue chewing, it might end up pushed further into your gum and cause inflammation and pain. This can lead to a pocket of space along the gum line called abscess. To avoid this, make sure you floss daily.
You Fractured a Tooth
If you bite on something hard, you might experience a crack or a fracture on your tooth. If it doesn’t break off, you might not even notice it until lingering food causes a cavity and eventually a toothache. A reasons your tooth hurts and needed to visit a dentist.
Your Wisdom Teeth Are Coming in
Wisdom teeth are the third and final set of molars that most people get in their late teens or early twenties. If your wisdom teeth start emerging at the wrong angle, you’ll definitely experience tooth pain. Many benefit from having their wisdom teeth removed, but consult your dentist, as it can be a risky procedure for some.
You Grind Your Teeth at Night
Most people that grind their teeth at night don’t even realize it unless someone points it out to them. This shouldn’t be taken lightly, as teeth grinding can lead to broken teeth. If a night guard doesn’t help, you might need Botox to loosen up the muscle that moves your jaw.
You Clench Your Jaw When You’re Stressed
This is a similar cause to teeth grinding. Many people clench their jaw during the day without even realizing. If this sounds like you, you’ll want to look up a few relaxation techniques to avoid damaging your teeth.
You Have a TMJ Disorder
TMJ stands for the temporomandibular joint and it connects the skull and the jaw. Clicking or popping noise when you open your mouth is a good indication of TMJ disorder, as well as jaw pain.
Your Gums Are Receding
Gum recession can cause the enamel at the gum line to wear away. As a result, your teeth will become more sensitive. The pain doesn’t linger, but it will pop up every time you eat or drink something cold or hot, which can be just as annoying.
Your Gums Are Infected
Another reasons your tooth hurts because you have infected gums don’t cause a toothache, but many patients will often mistake the two. If your gums become red and swollen, you might have a mild infection which can progress to a more serious condition if left untreated.
You Got Hit in the Tooth
Getting hit by a ball in the jaw or slamming your upper teeth against lower can cause some injury to the teeth and the trauma might lead to swelling inside the tooth. This can lead to a toothache that is likely to pass after a few days if you don’t bite anything too hard.
You Had a Visit to the Orthodontist
Having orthodontic work done is likely to lead to some degree of discomfort. If you had something done and the pain lingers longer than 48 hours, make sure you consult a dentist.
You’re Having a Sinus Flare-Up
If you get a toothache while nursing a cold or flu, it might be caused by sinus inflammation. If the sinuses are full, the teeth in that area might start aching. If this happens, you’ll want to drop by your dentist, as they’ll know best how to get rid of a toothache, regardless of the cause.
If you ever feel dental pain, feel free to call the North Pointe Dental Associates’ office at (813) 961-1727 and schedule your appointment and we will offer our best practices for pain relief.
