At some point in our lives, each one of us has been through the worst nightmare of going through agonising toothaches. Teeth may hurt due to constant irritation of annoyance throughout the day, stressing the person even harder than usual.
Individual teeth hurt due to various factors like cavity, dental erosion, sensitivity, etc. Consulting a dentist is the fastest remedy one can seek. The doctor performs a brief check-up of your teeth and offers the best solution to alleviate the pain and reduce the suffering.
A toothache is a symptom of an underlying disease due to which it should never be considered normal and should be treated as soon as possible.
Although there are many reasons why your teeth hurt. Below are some of the common reasons stated.
Tooth decay or Cavity:
Tooth decay is the initial stage of the teeth developing a cavity. A cavity is a hole formed in your tooth as a result of the decayed area’s expansion. A tooth pain commonly turns out as a cavity that is about to become more prominent or profound in the tooth.
The person with a cavity will experience an immense amount of pain while eating something hot or cold and has to get it filled by a dentist as soon as possible to alleviate the discomfort.
The leading causes for tooth decay or cavities involve eating sweet foods (containing sugar), practising poor dental hygiene, heavy medications that cause dry mouth, and eating foods or drinks containing higher acid levels.
Teeth damage or fracture:
Individuals experience pain from a broken or cracked tooth that can lead to tooth fracture, an extreme case of a damaged tooth. A tooth might break off due to tragic incidents like accidents, aggressive fights, biting rigid objects, and other factors. The pain experienced by the person depends on the extent of the damage caused to the tooth.
If the fracture extends to the nerve, present in the tooth’s centre, the individual may experience excruciating pain inside his mouth. The severity of the damage decides if a root canal treatment is needed or not, following which the dentist will provide you with the required procedures to follow to mitigate the pain.
Dental abscess:
A dental abscess is an ailment where a pocket of pus forms in one part of the tooth induced by a bacterial infection. The tooth abscess is treated as a dental emergency and has to be treated immediately to avoid the body from getting infected with life-threatening effects caused by the pus.
The infection initially spreads through the jaw, supporting the teeth, and slowly affects the entire body unless treated immediately. The treatment procedure includes draining the abscess, consuming antibiotics, root canal treatment, and possible tooth extraction.
To avoid any of the above actions, regularly visit the dentist for a thorough dental check-up and follow proper oral hygiene.
Teeth Grinding or TMJ disorder:
Teeth grinding may occur due to various factors like higher stress and anxiety levels that can cause minor yet painful cracks. The cracked teeth are tough to diagnose since the fracture will not always appear on the X-Ray report.
The TMJ (temporomandibular joint) syndrome is the pain caused in the jaw connecting the jawbone to the skull. It can cause serious damage to the teeth and result in severe complications.
Relaxing and maintaining low anxiety and stress levels will help a person avoid the teeth grinding habit, which results in TMJ disorder.
Enamel erosion:
Enamel erosion is one of the most common causes of toothaches. The enamel is the most rigid tissue in the body that protects the nerve endings within the tooth. The acidic foods and drinks consumed by the person is the main reason for enamel erosion.
The thinning of the enamel layer will increase the chances for the microbes to enter the potential areas and cause severe damage. Reduce eating sugary, acidic, and sticky foods, avoid hard brushing to save the enamel of your teeth from eroding too quickly.
Conclusion
Dental hygiene is a fundamental part of our overall health, and a regular dental check-up is recommended for maintaining your teeth in good shape. Teeth pains or aches have become very common nowadays since most people ignore oral hygiene and visit dentists only in extreme conditions.
The foods we ingest and the liquids we consume significantly affect our teeth, resulting in tooth fracture, enamel erosion, cavities, and other problems unless treated by a dentist.
If you experience any tooth pain or toothaches, immediately consult your dentist for faster pain relief and avoid further complications.