Anyone who has ever experienced dental pain knows that it’s very unpleasant. Feeling pain is not normal and can point to a serious problem that needs to be addressed. If your teeth hurt, it is always a good idea to schedule an appointment with your dentist as soon as possible. Your dentist can perform a thorough diagnostic examination and answer the frustrating question you might have, why do my teeth hurt? Dr. Leah Romay of Baltimore Dental Co. would like to help you find out why. It can be a number a reasons, but here are the most common:
Cavity Causing Tooth Pain
A cavity is simply a hole in your tooth caused by decay of your enamel due to bacteria. Cavities can create sensitivity that eventually leads to tooth pain. Cavities are easiest to treat when they are still small at which point the tooth can still be saved. This is usually done with a composite resin filling that “fills in” the cavity (hence the name) and prevents further access to the bacteria.
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 dental abscess is a condition when infection sets in at the tooth’s roots. It is extremely painful and only a dentist visit can successfully treat it. Antibiotics must be prescribed or administered and the tooth treated to prevent re-infection. Failure to address it can lead to a widespread infection that affects the heart, brain and other internal organs and their functioning .
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
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.
Relieve Tooth Pain in Baltimore, MD
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 Dr. Romay at Baltimore Dental Co. You can schedule online or call our offices at 410.220.4680. Dr. Romay will identify the underlying problem and help you feel better, fast.