Dental pain is nothing to be made light of. Recent data shows that in 2018, more than 2 million people experienced dental pain so severe that they visited the emergency room. If your teeth hurt, you want to know what’s going on, and you want it to stop immediately.
If you’re dealing with painful teeth, it could be one of many things. What are some of the most common causes of tooth pain? Read on to learn what they are!
1. Abscessed Tooth
Abscessed teeth are easily one of the most common reasons that people seek emergency dental care. Abscesses are a buildup of pus within your tooth, gums, or the bones that hold your teeth. They’re caused by bacteria, and if left unchecked, have the potential to become a true medical emergency.
If you have an abscessed tooth, you’ll likely notice a throbbing pain in the infected area. You’ll also experience pain when chewing, on top of the pain in either the neck, ear, or jaw. Finally, abscesses come with bad breath or bad tastes, as well as swelling.
2. Tooth Decay
When you’re a kid, you’re told not to eat too many sweets because you’ll rot your teeth. That’s tooth decay.
When you consume sugar, plaque forms on your teeth. The bacteria in the plaque produce acid that erodes away the enamel on your teeth. Eventually, enough erosion forms a cavity.
People experiencing tooth decay might notice bad tastes in their mouths, as well as sensitivity to hot and cold foods or drinks. They might also exhibit some common signs of gum disease, like bleeding gums.
3. Cracked Tooth
We rely on our teeth to help chew, and while they’re pretty reliable, it’s possible for them to crack. Cracked teeth are caused by many different things, including biting down on something that’s harder than your teeth. It’s also caused by grinding your teeth or a filling that is too large for your tooth.
Cracked teeth are very painful. The pain from them often comes on suddenly, typically when the crack occurs.
4. Impacted Wisdom Teeth
Most people have wisdom teeth that come in later in life. Sometimes they grow in with no issues, other times, there isn’t enough space, and they become impacted.
Pain from impacted wisdom teeth typically occurs at the back corners of your mouth. If your wisdom teeth hurt, it’s important to see a dentist for wisdom teeth removal as soon as possible to prevent damage to the rest of your teeth.
Do Your Teeth Hurt? It Might Be Time to See the Dentist!
If your teeth hurt, it feels like the only thing you can focus on until the pain subsides. That’s why it’s so important to start going to the dentist on a regular basis so you can recognize issues before they become dental emergencies. With a little bit of prevention, you’ll reduce the likelihood that you’ll have to deal with many of these causes of tooth pain.
Want to learn about more ways to manage your health? We can help you out with that. Check out the rest of our blogs for tons of great tips that’ll keep you in great shape!
