A toothache can seem like one of the worst pain in the world. Depending on the cause of that pain, it very well could be!
Everyone is told at a very young age to floss their teeth and then brush for at least two minutes, twice a day–or after every meal. Some don’t follow this as well as they should and rarely have a problem. Others, follow this religiously and still end up with dental issues.
We are going to talk about 5 of the most common toothache causes and what can be done to best prevent them. Keep reading for more information!
Misaligned or Impacted Teeth
When teeth are misaligned or pressing too hard against each other, this can be a reason for a toothache. This also includes impacted wisdom teeth.
Impacted wisdom teeth are the teeth furthest in the back of your mouth. Some people get them, others have them, but they never break through. It’s when they don’t break through that they can cause major issues by pushing on teeth from beneath the gumline.
When dealing with misaligned teeth, you may receive a referral to an orthodontist if your dentist doesn’t do this work. Braces will be needed to correct the teeth to prevent further pain.
Impacted wisdom teeth will have to be removed.
Tooth Decay & Cavities
Causes of toothaches may include tooth decay and cavities. This may be common sense, but even if you are brushing and flossing, the job isn’t done.
Proper cleaning also requires dentist visits for a professional cleaning and check up. Anything that you may be missing in your usual routine can be addressed, and cavities can be caught before they get serious.
An Abscessed Tooth
If you didn’t go to the dentist to catch that possible cavity, it would get worse. Eventually, the decay will travel down to the root of the tooth and cause throbbing pain.
You might not be able to tell exactly which tooth is the root of the problem and all teeth in the area may hurt. An abscessed tooth is no joke and needs to be addressed immediately.
Grinding the Teeth
You may not realize that you do this, but you might grind your teeth at night. In addition to the other problems it could cause (headaches, TMJ, neck aches) it could also be the cause of your toothache.
Grinding your teeth can, over time, cause erosion of enamel and even misshapen teeth. If you do this consciously, work on quitting. Otherwise, see a professional to help address the problem.
Illnesses Can become Toothache Causes
Sinus infections are known to cause tooth pain from the pressure of an impacted sinus cavity. Diabetes and headaches are also known to cause toothaches, as are vitamin deficiencies.
It should be noted that a toothache can also be a sign of a heart attack.
Prevention is Key
Regardless of what the toothache cause is, a visit to your dentist’s office can help solve it. By far the easiest way to not end up with tooth pain is by taking care of your teeth from the start.
If you’re looking for a dentist that can take care of all your needs and help prevent many causes of toothaches, contact us!