A toothache or tooth pain can come from a tooth in the mouth or the area around a tooth. There are different causes for toothaches and tooth pain. Treatment will depend on what is causing the toothache.
Here are three possible causes for a toothache.
1. Tooth decay
If tooth decay is not treated early it can continue to spread deeper into the tooth. As it gets deeper, it is more likely to cause pain. Early signs of tooth decay may include discomfort to sweet or cold foods and drinks. Pain to hot foods and drinks may be a sign of severe tooth decay. If tooth decay travels into the nerve at the centre of the tooth, it can cause an infection and a toothache, which may require more extensive treatment such as root canal.
2. Wisdom teeth
Wisdom teeth may cause pain when they are pushing against the other teeth or trying to erupt. This can cause bacteria to build up and may lead to inflammation, infection and/or pain. As wisdom teeth come through the gum they are often in an awkward spot and can be difficult to clean.
3. Broken tooth
Teeth can break for lots of reasons. Tooth decay can cause teeth to break. The tooth decay takes away the strong tooth structure and causes the tooth to become weak and break.
Teeth can also break from biting on hard items. Common causes can include hard lollies, chocolate that has been kept in the fridge, nuts, popcorn kernels, pork crackling, and olive seeds. Opening items using your teeth can also cause them to break. If tooth enamel breaks away, the dentine layer inside the enamel can be open to the mouth. This may cause pain or make the tooth sensitive.
What do I do if I have a toothache?
If you have a toothache, it is important to contact us at Essential Dental as soon as possible. The best thing you can do is have that cause of the pain treated early. Pain relief medication may help until you see one of our dentists.
Call the friendly team at Essential Dental Golden Grove today on (08) 8251 7677 so you can ‘discover the difference’.
