Pain is the body’s way of telling us something is wrong. If you have pain in your teeth and/or gums, there’s a reason. It could be something serious that requires treatment, so it’s important to pay attention to where the pain is coming from, and what might be causing it. What are some causes for toothaches?
Cracks in Your Teeth
A cracked tooth is often a dental emergency, but if the crack is really small, you might not be aware of it. However, a crack does expose the nerves in the tooth, making it more sensitive. If you feel pain when chewing or biting, or you feel more sensitive to temperature, a crack might be the reason.
Thinned Enamel
Speaking of sensitivity, your teeth become more sensitive to hot and cold temperatures when the enamel is thinning. Hard enamel protects the next layer in your teeth – dentin – which is more sensitive. If it starts to get more exposed, you’ll feel discomfort.
Tooth Decay
Cavities are literal holes in your teeth and over time, the decay spreads and gets deeper into the tooth and into the nerves. You’ll feel pain that gets worse the longer you go without treatment.
Abscess
When you don’t get a cavity treated, it can turn into an abscess, which is caused when bacteria builds up inside the nerve-rich pulp chamber within your tooth, infecting it. The pain can be agonizing.
Gum Disease
Good oral hygiene doesn’t only protect your teeth; it protects your gums as well. If your gums aren’t well-cared for and checked on a regular basis, they’re vulnerable to gum disease. Symptoms include inflammation, swelling, and pain. Over time, your gums actually become infected and start to pull away from the tooth.
Toothache Relief at Prairie Dental Group
Tooth or gum pain of any kind is never good, so be sure to call and make an appointment to see one of the doctors at Prairie Dental Group at our Eden Prairie office. We’ll be able to let you know what’s going on, what the best line of treatment is, and how you can prevent toothaches in the future!
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