Almost every adult has felt the harrowing pangs of tooth pain, at least once in their lifetime. The handful of people who have not experienced it, have already made a mental note of the excruciating pain by observing it befall on their near and dear ones. Scores of people dread paying a visit to the dentist, even if they have a tooth ache and procrastinate the checkup. The reason behind this avoidance is the amplified pain associated with the visit. We all know about how excruciating tooth pain can get, however, do we know what causes tooth pain. Let's have a look at the different tooth pain causes in detail.
Causes of Tooth Pain
Tooth Decay (Dental Caries)
Tooth decay, also known as dental caries or dental cavities, is one of the most common causes of tooth pain. A tooth gets decayed by the action of harmful acids secreted by bacteria present in the mouth. Food consumed comprises sugars and starches, which when left on the teeth forms plaque. The bacteria in the oral cavity thrive on the plaque and produce acids that erode tooth enamel. As the erosion progresses, a cavity is formed. The onset of tooth cavity formation cannot be identified, except by regular checkups with the dentist. By the time, symptoms of tooth pain emerge, the damage done to the tooth is quite large. One can even experience toothache after filling. Read more on tooth decay.
Gum Diseases
Periodontal disease or gum disease is a condition, in which gums get inflamed and gradually affect the bone supporting the tooth. The main cause of this condition is poor dental hygiene. Plaque accumulation on the teeth, contains bacteria. These bacteria release toxins, thereby damaging the gums. If this gum damage is not treated, tooth loss can occur. A skilled periodontist will ask for a tissue regeneration technique, if the bone surrounding the tooth has been destroyed. This procedure involves bone grafting, so as to enhance bone re-growth. He may even ask the patient to undergo gum surgery to treat the condition. Read more on periodontal disease: causes, symptoms and treatment.
Tooth Root Sensitivities
The roots of the teeth hold the entire tooth structure and are situated in the bone. Gum diseases, if left untreated, will conduce to root sensitivity. This is because the toxins released by the bacteria edge their ways into the tooth enamel, causing the roots to get exposed. These exposed roots contribute to tooth root sensitivities. Consumption of cold, hot and sour foods can cause the teeth to feel really tender and raw. Treatment for tooth pain caused by this recession of gums can be handled by fluoride gels in the initial stages and root canal treatment in the later stages. One can also resort to various home remedies for tooth pain relief.
Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Disorder
Temporomandibular joint is the joint formed between the mandible (lower jaw) and the skull. Conditions like facial injury, teeth grinding - bruxism, arthritis, etc., can lead to inflammation of the joint. The muscles surrounding this joint undergo spasms and make simple tasks like opening of the mouth very difficult. The patient experiences pain in the jaws, ears and teeth as well. Thus, TMJ is another cause of tooth pain. The pain caused by this condition can be relieved by resorting to oral anti-inflammatory medications. The muscles around the joint area can be brought at ease, by applying a warm compress. Read more on temporomandibular joint disorders: TMJ symptoms and treatment.
Fractured Teeth
Any powerful blow to the mouth during an accident can lead to cracked tooth. Moreover, the tooth can also crack, if one bites forcefully on a hard object. The crack may or may not be severe and can result in pain, only when you use that area of the mouth to chew food. The cracked tooth will hurt every time any movement is made with it. This issue can be resolved by placing a dental crown, but if the crack has caused the pulp portion of the tooth to get exposed and infection has set in, the dentist will ask for a root canal treatment to be done.
Besides these dental causes of tooth pain, there are some non-dental tooth pain causes as well. Sinus or ear infections can lead to tooth pain. In some people, tooth pain appears to be the only symptom of an impending heart attack. Read more on:
* Home Remedies for Toothache Pain Relief
* Dental Health
To avoid tooth pain spearheaded by any of the above tooth pain causes, it is important to maintain good dental hygiene. Regular brushing, flossing and proper dental care will keep your teeth from encountering major issues.
Causes of Tooth Pain
Tooth Decay (Dental Caries)
Tooth decay, also known as dental caries or dental cavities, is one of the most common causes of tooth pain. A tooth gets decayed by the action of harmful acids secreted by bacteria present in the mouth. Food consumed comprises sugars and starches, which when left on the teeth forms plaque. The bacteria in the oral cavity thrive on the plaque and produce acids that erode tooth enamel. As the erosion progresses, a cavity is formed. The onset of tooth cavity formation cannot be identified, except by regular checkups with the dentist. By the time, symptoms of tooth pain emerge, the damage done to the tooth is quite large. One can even experience toothache after filling. Read more on tooth decay.
Gum Diseases
Periodontal disease or gum disease is a condition, in which gums get inflamed and gradually affect the bone supporting the tooth. The main cause of this condition is poor dental hygiene. Plaque accumulation on the teeth, contains bacteria. These bacteria release toxins, thereby damaging the gums. If this gum damage is not treated, tooth loss can occur. A skilled periodontist will ask for a tissue regeneration technique, if the bone surrounding the tooth has been destroyed. This procedure involves bone grafting, so as to enhance bone re-growth. He may even ask the patient to undergo gum surgery to treat the condition. Read more on periodontal disease: causes, symptoms and treatment.
Tooth Root Sensitivities
The roots of the teeth hold the entire tooth structure and are situated in the bone. Gum diseases, if left untreated, will conduce to root sensitivity. This is because the toxins released by the bacteria edge their ways into the tooth enamel, causing the roots to get exposed. These exposed roots contribute to tooth root sensitivities. Consumption of cold, hot and sour foods can cause the teeth to feel really tender and raw. Treatment for tooth pain caused by this recession of gums can be handled by fluoride gels in the initial stages and root canal treatment in the later stages. One can also resort to various home remedies for tooth pain relief.
Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Disorder
Temporomandibular joint is the joint formed between the mandible (lower jaw) and the skull. Conditions like facial injury, teeth grinding - bruxism, arthritis, etc., can lead to inflammation of the joint. The muscles surrounding this joint undergo spasms and make simple tasks like opening of the mouth very difficult. The patient experiences pain in the jaws, ears and teeth as well. Thus, TMJ is another cause of tooth pain. The pain caused by this condition can be relieved by resorting to oral anti-inflammatory medications. The muscles around the joint area can be brought at ease, by applying a warm compress. Read more on temporomandibular joint disorders: TMJ symptoms and treatment.
Fractured Teeth
Any powerful blow to the mouth during an accident can lead to cracked tooth. Moreover, the tooth can also crack, if one bites forcefully on a hard object. The crack may or may not be severe and can result in pain, only when you use that area of the mouth to chew food. The cracked tooth will hurt every time any movement is made with it. This issue can be resolved by placing a dental crown, but if the crack has caused the pulp portion of the tooth to get exposed and infection has set in, the dentist will ask for a root canal treatment to be done.
Besides these dental causes of tooth pain, there are some non-dental tooth pain causes as well. Sinus or ear infections can lead to tooth pain. In some people, tooth pain appears to be the only symptom of an impending heart attack. Read more on:
* Home Remedies for Toothache Pain Relief
* Dental Health
To avoid tooth pain spearheaded by any of the above tooth pain causes, it is important to maintain good dental hygiene. Regular brushing, flossing and proper dental care will keep your teeth from encountering major issues.
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