Anyone who has experienced tooth pain knows the sooner it can be relieved, the better. Feeling pain is not normal and can indicate a problem that needs to be addressed. If your teeth hurt, it is always a good idea to quickly see your dentist. They can then do a thorough examination.
Why do my teeth hurt? It can be a number a reasons, but here are the most common:
Cavity. A cavity is simply decay in your tooth due to bacteria. It can create sensitivity that results in tooth pain. Cavities are easiest to manage when they are small and the tooth can be saved.
Damaged or Lost Filling. Sometimes a filling can fall out or be damaged, which will cause issues with your bite, leading to pain. A visit to your dentist can determine what needs to be done to eliminate the pain.
Teeth Grinding/Clenching/TMJ. You may find yourself bearing down on your teeth during the day, or wake up with a sore jaw, which is a good indication you are clenching or grinding your teeth at night. Your dentist can offer solutions to help save your teeth from excess wear and tear, as well as painful headaches, toothaches and jaw pain.
Abscessed Tooth. A tooth abscess forms when there is an infection at the tooth’s roots. It is extremely painful and only a dentist visit can help so antibiotics can be administered and the tooth treated. Failure to address it can lead to a widespread infection.
Wisdom Teeth Coming In. When your wisdom teeth begin to erupt, they can cause a great deal of pain, swelling, and jaw stiffness. Your dentist can determine if the teeth are coming in properly or if they should be removed.
Injury: An injury caused by such things as contact sports or an accident can cause any number of problems including a “bruised” or deep discoloring of the tooth, a broken tooth, or total loss of one or more teeth.
Temperature Sensitivity: When the underlying layer of the tooth, called the dentin, is exposed due to cracks in the enamel or the recession of the gums, your teeth may become sensitive to either hot or cold temperatures, or both.
Orthodontic Treatment: When you have your braces adjusted, you are likely to experience some level of tooth pain. This is normal and using an over-the-counter pain medicine, or if the issue is caused by the hardware itself, a little ball of dental wax should do the trick.
Teeth Whitening: Most people will feel some discomfort after a professional teeth whitening treatment, but the pain should resolve within a day. Talk to your dentist if it is too painful or problematic.
No matter what the reason, we know tooth pain can be miserable, so quit asking, “Why do my teeth hurt?” and schedule an appointment with a dentist today.
Dr. Ben Johnson and his team at Johnson Family Dental in Paducah are ready to help you. Give us a call at (270) 554-2432 to schedule an appointment. We are conveniently located at 2913 Lone Oak Road in Paducah, KY. Our normal office hours are Monday – Thursday from 8am to 5pm.