Have you ever experienced a throbbing pain or discomfort in and around your teeth or jaw? Then you know what it feels like to have a dreaded toothache. Dental pain is usually caused by an inflammation of the dental pulp tissue. When damage exposes it, air and germs get in, affecting the nerves and blood vessels inside.
Toothaches can come and go, be persistent, or get worse when eating or drinking.
There are several conditions — dental and non-dental — worth noting that can lead to a toothache.
Dental Conditions That Cause Tooth Pain
- Tooth Damage or Decay: physical trauma, cavities, and infections weaken the tooth, causing painful breaks or chips.
- Periodontal Disease: dental pain may be a consequence of the swelling and irritation caused by gum disease.
- Wisdom Teeth: when wisdom teeth don’t have enough room to emerge, they can become impacted. This often leads to dental, gum, and jaw pain because of pressure, infection, or tooth decay.
Non-Dental Conditions That Cause Tooth Pain
The source of pain may not be directly related to your teeth, but instead, be caused by one of the following conditions:
- Sinus Infection: pain similar to a toothache is caused by the pressure of fluid buildup when sinuses are infected.
- Heart Attack: the pain caused by a heart attack can radiate into the lower jaw, mimicking the feeling of sharp tooth pain.
- Systemic Conditions: mouth cancer, diabetes, viral infections, and nerve diseases are some examples of physical conditions often associated with tooth decay.
- Temporomandibular Disorders and Malocclusion: malfunctions in the jaw and surrounding facial muscles are causes of malocclusion, or crooked teeth, and temporomandibular disorders (TMD). These conditions are commonly accompanied by teeth grinding and clenching, uneven bite, and dislocation of the mandibular joints, which leads to severe pain in most cases.
Don’t smile through the pain. No matter how mild your toothache seems, it should never be ignored. Don’t hesitate to schedule an appointment with our Canton office if the pain persists. Our team is standing by to help.