The Causes And Treatments For Toothaches

Toothaches can cause some of the worst pain that you will ever feel. It can affect your ability to work, sleep, or concentrate on anything other than the pain that you are feeling. There are a number of causes of toothaches and all of them will require a visit to the dentist before the problem becomes a more serious health issue.

Causes For Toothaches

Toothaches can be caused by the following conditions:

  • Tooth decay , which is the destruction of the structure of the tooth. Tooth decay can be on the outer enamel or the dentin layer of your teeth. The cavities that are caused by tooth decay can lead to severe toothaches.
  • Abscesses in your teeth are another cause of toothaches that can be extremely painful. An abscess is an infection of the tooth root. Infection can also occur between the gum and the tooth causing painful toothaches.
  • Tooth Fractures
  • Damage to your fillings
  • Teeth grinding and repetitive motions with your jaw and mouth
  • Gum infection
  • Tooth decay , which is the destruction of the structure of the tooth. Tooth decay can be on the outer enamel or the dentin layer of your teeth. The cavities that are caused by tooth decay can lead to severe toothaches.
  • Abscesses in your teeth are another cause of toothaches that can be extremely painful. An abscess is an infection of the tooth root. Infection can also occur between the gum and the tooth causing painful toothaches.
  • Tooth Fractures
  • Damage to your fillings
  • Teeth grinding and repetitive motions with your jaw and mouth
  • Gum infection

Types Of Pain and Symptoms of Toothaches

The pain of a toothache can be described in various ways. The pain can be throbbing, sharp or just a constant dull ache. There are some toothaches that you will only feel when you chew or apply pressure to the area. You may also notice swelling around the area where you feel pain. It can be difficult to pinpoint the source of toothaches when the pain is constant. You may feel as though your entire mouth is in pain, but swelling can pinpoint the source of the pain. Toothaches can also result in headaches or may also be accompanied by fever. If the infected tooth is draining, you will experience a strange taste and smell a foul odor.

Treatment For Toothaches

The pain of toothaches will most likely lead you to the dentist . If you have been suffering from toothaches for one or two days, it is unlikely that the pain is going to go away on its own. See your dentist so that the pressure from your toothache can be relieved. Toothaches that are accompanied by fever, earache or pain when you move your mouth should be seen by a dentist immediately.

The treatment that you will receive from the dentist will depend on the cause of your toothaches. Antibiotics may be used, along with root canal work or fillings, to treat your toothache.

Toothache Prevention

Most of the problems that are associated with toothaches are the result of tooth decay . Preventing tooth decay through good oral hygiene is the best approach to avoiding the pain of toothaches. Make sure that you brush your teeth after every meal and floss daily to remove the plaque that results in tooth decay. Gum disease can be avoided by following good dental hygiene practices as well. Regular visits to the dentist will also detect the signs of tooth decay or gum disease before they have a chance to progress. Professional cleanings will also remove the plaque that can lead to toothaches.