Why do my teeth hurt?

Pain in the teeth is called toothache; it’s usually the result of bad cleaning habits or can be caused by damage to the teeth from sudden impact. The majority of aches and pains will be mild, but still provide some discomfort, some can be severely painful and difficult to cope with – both should be examined by a dental professional, to determine the origin of the toothache.

How does not brushing my teeth cause pain?

The most common source of toothache is decay or gum disease – both of which are caused by failing to brush and clean the teeth on a regular basis. Don’t underestimate the simple act of brushing your teeth, there are millions of bacteria forming in the mouth every day, if you don’t keep them under control they will start to eat away at the teeth and cause cavities. This process is aided by acids and bacteria present in food debris that will remain lodged between your teeth if you don’t brush it away. Without adequate cleanliness, plaque will start to build up from the gum line in a sticky, yellow film. This can lead to gum disease and eventually the loss of teeth, if you don’t do something about it.

How can I stop toothache?

Undoubtedly, the best way to avoid toothache is to brush and floss, and make regular appointments with your dentist. It doesn’t take much effort to keep your teeth in top condition; brush for a couple of minutes in the morning and then again at night, floss carefully between them to get rid of any plaque or food particles. Occasionally, you might want to schedule a professional clean by an oral hygienist, this is a more thorough process that guarantees there is no nasty bacteria lurking in difficult to reach areas.

If you experience throbbing toothache, you’ll need to see a dentist to determine the cause of the problem and to start treatment, but you can ease the pain a little by applying an ice pack to the outside of your mouth. Sensitive teeth will probably react to this immediately, but it helps with swelling and should calm the inflamed nerve endings that are causing the pain. Some toothache can spread into the jaw and cause headaches if it’s on-going, so ice should sooth it and prevent the inflammation from getting out of hand.  Don’t apply heat or pressure to the area; this will only exacerbate the problem.

While you’re waiting to see the dentist, you can try some home remedies to alleviate the ache – but remember these are only temporary solutions, the best way to deal with dental pain is to consult with a professional, otherwise it’s likely to get much worse as time passes. Oil of clove is the most commonly used herb for easing toothache, it has very good healing and painkilling qualities, it should reduce discomfort when applied in small amounts. You might also try washing your mouth out with warm salt water; this is very cleansing and can help soothe the area until you receive appropriate medical treatment. Don’t try performing any DIY surgery on yourself, especially if you have broken or knocked out a tooth, this will inevitably have disastrous consequences. Leave the complicated procedures to the professionals and don’t make the situation worse than it is.

How can a dentist help with my toothache?

That depends on what sort of circumstances have caused it, but your dentist will be prepared to help whatever the condition of your teeth. The Pearl Dental Clinic have a team of dedicated dentists that can check your symptoms and prepare you for treatment if you are suffering with toothache, they also run a twenty-four hour surgery for emergencies occurring out of office hours.

If you have toothache resulting from bad oral hygiene, it’s probable that the pain stems from cavities – holes in the teeth caused by decay. The pain you feel will be from the nerves at the centre of the teeth, which become inflamed and possibly infected by bacteria entering the hole. You might not feel any pain from small cavities, but if you don’t clean your teeth regularly they will slowly begin to rot through the enamel to expose the delicate workings beneath. During a check-up appointment, if your dentist notices small holes in your teeth, they will probably decide to clean them out and fill them even if they aren’t causing pain – it’s better to prevent further deterioration, rather than deal with a more difficult situation later on. Larger cavities will lead to a root canal treatment; this involves excavating the pulp chamber, where the nerves are stored in soft tissue, and filling it in to avoid infection.

Gum disease is another common cause of toothache, although the first stage of it may be painless. Bleeding from the gums should point you straight to the dentist, but some people don’t heed the warning signs and let infection set in, followed by receding gums and ultimately the loss of teeth. Gum disease is not a pleasant thing to put up with, if you notice pain around your teeth that comes with swollen, inflamed tissue, your dentist will be able to remove any infected areas and thoroughly clean your mouth. However, surgical treatment can be avoided by not smoking and taking care of your teeth.

Damaged teeth can cause quite a lot of pain, particularly if they have been completely knocked out or extruded – twisted in their socket at the point of impact. If you get to the emergency surgery within an hour of the damage taking place, your chances of repairing your teeth fully are much higher, take the tooth or any broken pieces with you so that the dentist can rebuild it. Most fractured teeth, if they can be saved, will be covered with a synthetic cap called a ‘crown’, this is to restore functionality, whilst protecting the remaining structure from the pressure of chewing. You should avoid hard foods or rigorous exercise until your crown is properly bonded with your natural tooth, loose or damaged crowns can allow bacteria to gather underneath and cause decay.