How old were you when you had your first toothache? We’ve most likely all experienced one, and many patients believe that a toothache is generated by a severe cavity somewhere in their mouth. Toothaches occur when the dental pulp (the innermost layer of the tooth) becomes inflamed. Since the pulp is made of highly sensitive nerves and blood supply, this pressure results in significant pain. While cavities that arise from dental decay are the most common cause of a toothache, there can be a wide variety of other reasons a person could experience pain coming from their mouth.
Some of these other causes of a toothache include:
Sensitivity – this can arise from many sources, but a common source is the use of whitening products for teeth.
Cracked tooth – if a severe sense of pain emerges when you bite into food, then a cracked tooth may be the culprit. If this occurs, it’s typically wise to see a dentist as soon as possible.
Receding gums – when gums shrink, they expose softer, more sensitive parts of the gum.
Abscess – an abscess occurs when pus collects at the end of the tooth after a bacterial infection.
At times, patients might experience similar symptoms to a toothache when the cause is something unrelated to a dental problem, such as a sinus infection, shingles, or other problems. Regardless of what you think might be causing your problem, we recommend visiting a dentist if a toothache persists or becomes particularly painful.
If you have any questions about your dental health or if you would like to schedule a free consultation, please contact our team or make an appointment. Our incredible staff will give you the best dental care possible.