Common Causes of Toothache
- Tooth Decay (Cavities): One of the most common causes—when decay reaches the inner layers of the tooth, it can irritate the nerve and cause pain.
- Dental Abscess: A pocket of pus caused by bacterial infection. This can lead to severe, throbbing pain, swelling, and sometimes fever.
- Gum Disease: Inflamed or infected gums (gingivitis or periodontitis) can cause pain that feels like it’s coming from the tooth.
- Cracked or Damaged Tooth: A fracture can expose the nerve or cause pain when biting or chewing.
- Exposed Tooth Roots: Gum recession can expose sensitive roots, especially to cold or sweet foods.
- Teeth Grinding (Bruxism): Constant grinding can wear down enamel and strain the supporting tissues, leading to pain.
- Impacted Wisdom Teeth: When there’s not enough room for wisdom teeth to emerge properly, they can cause pain, swelling, or infection.
- Sinus Infections: Sometimes sinus pressure can mimic toothache, especially in upper molars.
Symptoms often associated with toothache
- Sharp or throbbing pain
- Sensitivity to hot, cold, or sweet stimuli
- Swelling in the face or gums
- Pain when chewing or biting
- A bad taste in the mouth (possible infection)
- Fever (in case of infection)
If you are experiencing any sort of dental pain it is important to have this looked at as soon as possible. It is important to get an urgent appointment if the pain lasts more than 1–2 days, if it’s severe, spreading, or affects daily life and keeping you awake at night, if there’s swelling, pus, or fever and if over-the-counter pain relief doesn’t help.
Prompt treatment can prevent further complications and relieve discomfort effectively.
