Why Does Your Tooth Hurt?

Having a toothache is not only unpleasant, but it can also be a great source of stress if you do not know why your tooth hurts. You can easily leap to the worst possible conclusion and assume that you will need a tooth extraction. In reality, there are many possible reasons why a tooth might hurt, and many things that a dentist can do to resolve the problem. Take a look at this list of possible conditions to ease your worry and then reach out to a dentist for an urgent appointment.

1. You Have a Cavity

One common cause of toothache is a cavity developing in the affected tooth. If you seek treatment for a cavity before the decay has spread far inside the tooth, then your dentist can easily fix it by applying a simple dental filling. However, leaving the cavity to progress could mean that you need a root canal procedure later on.

2. You Have Sensitive Teeth

What feels like a toothache is sometimes just sensitive teeth. Teeth most often experience sensitivity when you eat or drink something very hot, very cold, or very sweet, whereas a toothache is more likely to be constant. Sensitivity usually affects several teeth at the same time, whereas a toothache is more typically concentrated in just one tooth.

The pain of sensitive teeth is mild and comes and goes depending on what you eat and drink. It also typically responds well to toothpaste that is designed for sensitive teeth. If your discomfort seems more like sensitivity than toothache, try brushing with this kind of toothpaste twice a day for a few days to see if that helps. However, if the pain is more severe, then you should schedule an emergency dentist appointment.

3. You Have Cracked a Tooth

Toothache that starts suddenly, usually while eating, can be a sign that you have cracked a tooth by biting down too hard. This situation requires treatment from a dentist as quickly as possible. Ignoring a cracked tooth can lead to bacteria getting inside it and causing an infection.

4. You Have a Sinus Infection

Sometimes, it is easy to mistake the aching sensation caused by a sinus infection for a toothache. If the pain is in your upper jaw and you have other symptoms, such as a headache, blocked nose, and fatigue, then a sinus infection could be to blame. Sinus infections usually get better after a few days, but if your toothache lasts longer than necessary, you should schedule an appointment with your dentist.

About Me

Dealing with Dental Braces

Yo! My name is Sarah. I live in Syndey, Australia. A couple of years ago, I was fitted with dental braces. I was 21 years old at the time and I hated the idea of wearing braces. However, my dentist was really good at explaining why it was a good idea to have the treatment. It felt a little strange at first but as time went by, I got used to wearing my braces. On follow-up visits, my dentist would check that I had been properly cleaning and caring for my braces. I decided to start this blog to offer advice to other brace wearers.

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