4 Common Causes Of Tooth Pain

Tooth pain is a very common complaint in most dental offices. Many patients automatically assume that tooth pain is indicative of dental cavities or perhaps tooth decay. However, the truth is that there are an incredible number of reasons why your tooth may ache – some of which are entirely avoidable!

4 Common Reasons For A Toothache  

At Meadows Family Dentistry, it’s important to us that our patients are aware of the potential dental problems they face, and how to avoid these problems. Below are a few of the common reasons for a toothache, and why they occur:

1. Tooth Decay – Tooth decay is usually the most common cause of a toothache. It doesn’t matter if it’s just a small dental cavity or if it’s turned into a more severe case of decay, once the tooth enamel is penetrated, you’ll feel pain in the tooth.
2. Tooth Abscess – A tooth abscess is what can sometimes happen if tooth decay goes untreated, and the decay is able to reach the pulp (or the center) of the tooth. This will cause an infection in the root of the tooth, which can become extremely painful.
3. Bruxism – Bruxism (which is the clenching or grinding of teeth) can be another reason for tooth pain. If the teeth are clenched or ground down with too much force, it can begin to put extreme pressure on the teeth and jaws. If left untreated, bruxism can lead to cracked or chipped teeth.
4. Gum Disease – Many assume that gum disease will manifest as gum pain. However, if left untreated, gum disease can create swelling and inflammation, which can cause bone loss in the teeth and jaw leading to pain.

As always, the best way to make sure you don’t experience any of the painful dental issues listed above is to maintain good oral hygiene habits. The three main points of healthy teeth are to brush twice a day, floss daily, and visit the dentist every 6 months for a dental cleaning and exam.

If you have any of the above symptoms or an unexplained toothache, please contact Meadows Family Dentistry immediately for an emergency appointment. Our general dentistry office is located in Castle Rock, CO.