Why Do We Get Toothaches & What Can We Do To Make Them Go Away?
Sometimes you wake up in the morning with an excruciating pain in your mouth and you wonder why is it hurting. Did I eat something hard and did it get stuck in my teeth? Is your tooth loose and ready to come out? Did I break it during any type of contact sport activity? There could be many reasons as to why you could be getting that horrible feeling in your tooth and here at Dean Cosmetic Dentistry in Knoxville, we will walk you through some of the common causes are for a toothache to take place and the remedies that you can use to help relieve yourself of this pain.
Tooth Decay : This is the top common cause of toothaches. Tooth decay can be caused by small cavities breaking away at the enamel (outer coating) of the tooth which is usually painless. When this becomes painful is when these cavities get through the enamel and get lodged in the dentin (inner layer of the tooth). These cavities are created due to food being stuck within or in between the teeth. Bacteria within the mouth turns this food into acid and a combination of bacteria, acid and food debris can be the catalyst for cavities to ensue. According to the American Dental Association, cavities are most common among children. If not taken care of right away, it can also become a problem within adults. More specifically it is very within adults that are fifty and older. Gum disease plus the receding of the gums away from the teeth can expose tooth roots to plaque. Plaque causes teeth to become weaker with time which in turn increases the likelihood of decay.
Abscessed Tooth– Tooth decay in turn can cause this to take place. An abscessed tooth is formed when there is an infection located near the root of the tooth or in between the gum and the tooth. It can also be caused by gingivitis and gum disease. These problems can cause openings in tooth enamel which can allow the infection to spread to the center of the tooth.
Gum Disease- This is also known as Periodontitis. It starts out as plaque buildup underneath the teeth which is also called Gingivitis. Gingivitis if not taken care of properly will end up becoming Periodontitis which ends with pockets being formed underneath the teeth due to separation of the gum and the tooth. These pockets collect debris and can end up becoming infected. The deeper that these pockets are, the higher the chance of tooth loss.
Grinding of teeth- People grind their teeth due to stress and also due to sleep disorders such as sleep apnea also. It can also be caused by missing teeth or an overbite. Constant grinding can lead to wear and tear on your teeth to the point that it may be reduced to stumps. Bridges, crowns and fillings may be needed to help correct these issues if it gets to this point.
The best forms of treatment or remedies for a toothache depends on what is the trigger for this to begin with. If the toothache is caused by tooth decay or cavities, the dentist will either put a filling or a crown where the pain is concentrated or the tooth may have to come out altogether. If an infection in the center or the nerve of the tooth is the cause, then a root canal will need to be done to get rid of the infection. If an infection causes swelling within the jaw, then oral antibiotics will have to be prescribed to help fight it off.
However, the most common cause of toothaches is due to tooth decay and it can be easily treated by practicing good oral hygiene. Examples of these are flossing your teeth daily, brushing your teeth regularly with toothpaste, rinsing your mouth out twice a day with mouthwash and eating foods that are low in sugar.
It is also important to meet with a dentist at least twice a year so you can get a thorough examination. Please call us today at 865-539-1119 or go online to www.deancosmeticdentistry.com and schedule your appointment online. #knoxvillesmiles New Patients Welcome