What are Common Causes of Dental Pain?
Pain is something that no one wishes for, however, it serves a very useful purpose for us humans. Feeling pain in our bodies way of telling us that something is wrong, and that we need to pay attention to the problem. This is also the case for dental pain. The causes and intensity of dental pain will depend on the reasons and severity of the problem.
Why do your teeth hurt?
This will depend on the type of stimuli that is causing the pain. Some of the sources for dental pain can include:
Pain from a live tooth due to trauma and potential inflammation
Tooth decay or trauma that has resulted in a dead tooth
Sinus infection
Clenching or grinding that results in musculoskeletal pain
Specific, Sharp Tooth Pain
Sharp pain that comes from a tooth may be the result of trauma that can lead to an acute infection. Without proper treatment in this case, it is extremely important that you visit your dentist as soon as possible otherwise the tooth can die. Additionally, this can lead to an abscess forming and swelling. An abscess is a pocket of bacteria which forms under a tooth’s nerve. A root canal or a tooth extraction, along with possible anti biotics will be used in order to treat this problem. It is important to see your dentist about this to ensure that side effects don’t worsen, which can be severe and in some cases fatal.
Tooth Decay or Trauma
If the pulp of a tooth has died, bacteria will grow which can lead to severe pain that is deeply rooted. The source of the problem can be a previous large filling, a crack in the tooth or untreated decay. In some cases, there may be no swelling or sensitivity to cold or heat on the tooth, only an unexplained pain. If you think you are experiencing this, it is important to see your dentist and resolve the issue as soon as possible to relieve the pain and source the underlying problem.
Sinus Infections
One of the most self-misdiagnosed pain is tooth pain which is actually caused by a sinus infection. The pain will be dull at sit at the back upper teeth. This is because the back teeth nerves are in close proximity to the sinus lining. If this occurs, a visit to your GP or dentist will be able to determine if the pain really is dental, or is sinus related.
Clenching or Grinding
Chronic tooth clenching or grinding can lead to pain that arises from the joint of one’s jaw which then spreads to both the temple and the lower jaw. In this case, minimising movement of the jaw and the use of heat packs or other anti-inflammatory pain medication may be helpful. However, clenching or grinding usually develops into a daily habit that may need long term treatment in order to fix. See your dentist about the options of reducing such habits.
All in all, dental pain can come from several different sources. Having a dentist evaluate the dental pain as soon as possible is always essential in treating these conditions. If you're experiencing dental pain book a consultation with Dr Kate Amos or Dr Sam Rosehill at Ethical Dental on 6652 3185 or book online.
