Why do my teeth hurt?
Regardless of your age, you will ask this question. After all, American adults suffer from various oral health issues like gum problems. You can combat these when you know the causes of a toothache.
Without proper guidance, you will have no idea where to start. The good news is our article can help. Read on as we discuss some teeth problems causing you to feel pain:
1. Cavities and Tooth Decay
One of the most common causes of toothache is dental cavities. Usually, poor hygiene causes cavities. When you fail to brush or floss regularly, they will make a small hole in your tooth, growing deeper over time.
Also, when your saliva mixes with sugar, cavities form and eat your tooth away. In most cases, teeth cavities are barely noticeable, making detection difficult. When you do not visit your dentist, you are at risk of developing toothaches later on.
Untreated cavities will infect your tooth, causing you to lose it.
Use a simple saltwater rinse to make the pain go away. Mix a half-teaspoon of salt and 8 ounces of warm water. Swish the solution around your mouth before spitting it out.
Repeat the process until you finish the entire 8 ounces. Depending on the severity of the pain, consider doing it again every two hours. Press a cold compress to your cheek for a few minutes when the salt mixture does nothing.
2. Tooth Abscess
An abscess is an infection from the inside of the tooth. It is deep enough to reach the tip of the root or the surrounding areas. This condition results in the following:
- Swollen gums
- Excruciating pain
- Potential bone mass loss
When a cavity gets into the pulp chamber, abscesses can happen. When you experience gum swelling or throbbing pain, go to your dentist for toothache relief. However, waiting for your appointment can be an excruciating experience.
Use coconut oil to give relief before you go to the dentist. After all, this substance has disinfecting effects. It also deflates the sore spot on your gum.
The best part is the coconut oil is usable as a topical or internal treatment. Lather your toast with coconut oil or add it to your coffee. If you are downing it directly, limit yourself to a tablespoon.
As a topical treatment, massage the coconut oil onto the painful tooth and gum areas. You can also swish a small spoonful for around two minutes.
3. Gum Disorders
Periodontitis is a prevalent oral disease among Americans aged 30 or more. Often, gum disease happens when you have poor dental hygiene. It often results in the buildup of plaque.
Over time, the bacteria cause your gum to swell and bleed. You will likely feel no discomfort early on, but it will result in toothaches when left alone. Worse, you can lose teeth.
To avoid this disease, consider maintaining your oral hygiene. It means flossing and brushing your teeth for up to two minutes twice a day. Use an antibacterial mouthwash to improve your oral health.
4. Injury
The most obvious cause of toothaches is a dental injury. These are severe enough to either break or knock out your tooth. When it happens, set a dental appointment to fix the tooth as soon as possible.
When the tooth breaks, use a piece of gum or tape gauze over the jagged edges. It prevents cuts to your tongue, cheeks, or gums.
Did your tooth fall? If so, do your best to fit it back into its socket, biting down gently to maintain its position. Cushion the affected area with a wet gauze or a cotton ball.
When you cannot fit the tooth in its socket, use whole milk and saliva to preserve it until your next dental appointment.
5. Wisdom Teeth
Pain in your top back and the bottom molar area is often a sign of wisdom teeth growth. Those need to be taken care of. Otherwise, it will lead to even more pain in the long run. If your wisdom teeth are ready to fall, you will notice a tender area around your molars.
The toothache symptoms will only increase as the wisdom teeth grow sideways. It presses on nerves, bones, and surrounding teeth.
Worse, your wisdom teeth can become impacted when it is between your jaw bone and surrounding teeth. It will continue causing more negative side effects, such as:
- Foul breath
- Bad taste when chewing
- Swelling
When you leave your wisdom teeth untreated, you risk getting cysts or even tumors. Schedule an appointment with an oral surgeon as soon as possible. Soothe your pain using regular OTC anti-inflammatory medicines.
6. Teeth Grinding
Teeth problems are not only because of poor dental hygiene or fast-growing teeth. You can also experience toothaches when you have bad dental habits like teeth grinding.
When clenching your jaw or grinding your teeth, you will put more stress on your jaw muscles. It also leads to TMJ or TMD disorders. When you grind your teeth at night, consider wearing a mouthguard for more protection.
Eat more vitamin-rich food items to avoid becoming calcium-deficient.
7. Abnormal Bite
An abnormal bite also causes TMJ problems, much like teeth grinding. In general, your upper teeth fit slightly over your bottom ones. When misalignment happens, biting or chewing becomes painful.
Malocclusion is hereditary, making it an uncommon cause of toothaches. However, it can appear at any point in your life, especially when you have these situations:
- Excessive pacifier use
- Ill-fitting dental treatments
- Impacted teeth
- More teeth loss
- Thumb-sucking
The good news is this dental issue is curable. Surgery, teeth removal, and braces can fix these issues.
Learn More Causes of a Toothache Now
These are some common causes of toothache. When you experience pain in your teeth, consider thinking about these reasons. That way, you can determine the best dental treatment around.
However, your journey does not end here. Look for a reliable dentist and orthodontist to help fix your dental issues.
Did this guide help? If so, explore our other articles today.
For more visit the article on this website.
