3 Common Causes Of Tooth Pain

Oral health is incredibly important, but many people ignore their oral health until something starts hurting. By then, the underlying issue could be thriving. You may have thinning enamel, gum pain, or even a tooth infection. If you would like to know more, check out these three common causes of tooth pain.

Decay

Tooth decay is an incredibly common cause of tooth pain because it creates pits in your teeth that act like open wounds. When air, sugar, or water come in contact with the cavity, it can cause severe pain. Cavities are caused when bacteria in your mouth have a constant feast on plaque. This is common when people neglect brushing and flossing.

Ideally, you'll get a cavity treated immediately to prevent further issues, but if you ignore the cavity, it could grow larger and reach the tooth's pulp. Once inside the tooth's pulp, it starts killing the tooth, and an infection starts. This type of infection is usually only treated via root canal therapy or extraction.

Weakened Enamel

Enamel is the hardest substance in the human body, and its job is to protect your teeth from decay. Enamel, however, can wear down for many reasons, such as over-zealous brushing, consuming foods and beverages with lots of acid or sugar, and neglecting to clean your teeth.

As the enamel wears away, you'll start to notice sensitivity, especially when your teeth are exposed to hot or cold air, foods, and liquids. Enamel cannot regrow, but you can strengthen the enamel you have. If you allow your enamel to be worn away completely, you are at high risk of decay and infection unless you protect the tooth with a crown.

Bruxism

Bruxism is the term for teeth grinding. Some people may experience some bruxism during the day, but most people struggle with it when they sleep. Without realizing it, you may grind your teeth for hours each night, which can lead to many issues, such as cracked teeth, damaged enamel, chips, etc.

However, bruxism puts a lot of stress on your jaw, making everything tight. Plus, the constant minor movement of teeth can lead to discomfort. In some cases, the pain can radiate to other parts of your head and make it feel like multiple teeth hurt. If you don't realize you suffer from bruxism, you may assume you have a cavity or infection.

Tooth pain is a nightmare and can range from mild to severe. When you ignore your oral health, you can experience severe decay, tooth loss, gum disease, and abscesses. If you would like to know more, or if you are ready to schedule a cleaning, contact a dentist's office in your area today.