A toothache is familiar to many people. It can be annoying, exhausting, and even unbearable. A toothache can make it difficult to speak, eat, and sleep. Even though you can ease a toothache with the help of painkillers or some home remedies, you should understand that these options don’t treat the underlying cause of your pain. 

If you have a toothache, it is essential to visit a dentist as soon as possible. Only a dentist can define the cause of your pain and perform the proper treatment. In this article, we have gathered seven common causes of toothache you should be aware of.

1. Tooth decay

Tooth decay (cavity or caries) is a condition in which a hole occurs in the tooth enamel. This condition develops when the bacteria in your mouth start to multiply and produce a lot of acids. These acids wear out your tooth enamel and create a cavity. In the initial stage, tooth decay can develop asymptomatically. 

But then the cavity increases, it can reach the inner layer of the tooth called the pulp that contains nerve endings and blood vessels. This can result in a severe toothache. If left untreated, tooth decay can damage the entire tooth and even its roots. In this case, you may need to get your tooth extracted and replaced with a dental implant.

2. Gum disease

Gum disease is an inflammation of the gums that usually manifests itself through gum bleeding, swelling, tenderness, and redness. When gum disease progresses, it can cause gum recession, gum pockets, toothache, teeth loosening, and even tooth loss. 

Gum disease is caused by bacteria that naturally inhabit your oral cavity and start to multiply actively under the influence of some factors. The most common of them are poor oral hygiene, certain diseases, some medication, and genetic predisposition. 

3. Dental abscess

A dental abscess is a condition that occurs when the infarction gets inside the damaged tooth and leads to the development of a sac with pus. The most common symptoms of a dental abscess include:

• Severe toothache
• Gum swelling and tenderness
• Unpleasant taste in the mouth
• Bad breath

If you have noticed at least some of the aforementioned symptoms, you need to make an appointment with your dentist as soon as possible. Without timely and proper treatment, a sac can rupture and the pus may spread to your jaw and neck.

4. Sensitive teeth

Increased tooth sensitivity occurs when your tooth enamel becomes thin and damaged. This can result in severe toothache that occurs when you inhale cold air, drink hot or cold beverages, or consume sweet, hot, or cold foods. Excessive enamel wear can occur because of teeth grinding, excessive tooth brushing, increased consumption of acidic foods and drinks, and aging. 

Tooth decay, gum recession, and other oral issues can also lead to increased teeth sensitivity. It is essential to visit a dentist and undergo timely treatment of the underlying causes of your condition. Your dentist can also recommend special toothpaste to soothe your toothache. 

5. Tooth fracture

Even though tooth fracture is more common for children and people who play sports without mouthguards, everyone can fracture a tooth due to an accident or other cause. The level of pain from tooth fracture depends on the severity of the damage. For example, if you have broken only a small part of tooth enamel, you may not experience any pain or discomfort.

But if the fracture is significant and reaches the inner layers of the tooth, you may have an unbearable toothache. In this case, you need to biscuit an emergency dentist to ease your pain and restore the fractured tooth. 

6. Wisdom teeth erupting

If you still have wisdom teeth and they are trying to erupt in an uncomfortable position or they don't have enough space to emerge, you can experience a toothache. Once they erupt, you can get painful inflammation or infection of the gums, especially since these wisdom teeth are difficult to clean with the help of a toothbrush and dental floss.

Even though wisdom teeth can cause severe pain and discomfort, it is not recommended to extract them without any significant reasons. Indeed, if a wisdom tooth ruins or causes severe complications, your dentist can recommend its removal.

7. Damaged tooth filling or other restorations

Many people experience severe toothache and discomfort when their dental restorations become damaged or loose. It is important to understand that tooth fillings, dental crowns, and other types of dental work can wear out over time.  

If you have noticed that your dental restorations become loose, cracked, or even fell off, it is essential to make an appointment with your dentist as soon as possible. Otherwise, the repaired tooth can ruin sooner or later. 

The bottom line

Due to the fact that there are a lot of factors that can cause toothache, it is essential to contact your dentist and undergo a thorough examination. Only a dentist can define the exact cause of your pain and perform the proper treatment.