The Most Common Causes of Tooth Pain

Just when the workweek gets hectic, you feel a pulsating ache in your mouth that demands immediate attention. When you visit a dentist for tooth pain in Peoria, chances are that the problem stems from one of these several common practices and problems.

Bad Habits

Chewing gum and grinding your teeth can cause wear down teeth and make it difficult to protect tooth enamel. Patients who regularly grind their teeth can create problems such as a shifted bite, tooth fractures and unevenness. Potential injuries can be avoided by wearing a mouthguard during sleep. Sugar-laden gum can increase acids that cause decay; switching to a sugar-free product can alleviate decay problems associated with gum chewing.

Tooth Decay or Abscessed Tooth

Tooth decay is damage that results when carbohydrates remain on your teeth. They are turned into acids by mouth bacteria, and combine with saliva to create plaque that in turn adheres itself to your teeth. The plaque acids dissolve the tooth’s enamel and cavities form. An abscessed tooth is most often a direct result of tooth decay. It is a painful infection found at the root or between a tooth and gum. Other scenarios that lead to an abscessed tooth are gum disease, gingivitis, or a chipped or broken tooth. The resulting toothache can be severe, with patients reporting sharp, severe or throbbing pain.

Infected gums

When the gum and bone separate from the teeth and form pockets, debris collects and the gums become infected. Gum disease (periodontitis) is the stage that follows untreated gum inflammation, also known as gingivitis. One common early sign of gingivitis are gums that bleed when you brush your teeth.

Damaged Fillings or Tooth Fractures

When you don’t protect tooth enamel, decay can expose the nerve and necessitate a filling. A dentist will numb the local area, remove any decayed matter and fill the hole. If the filling becomes damaged, the nerve will be re-exposed and create the need for a replacement filling. With a tooth fracture, your dentist will choose one or more techniques to correct it, including crowns, veneers, bonding and root canals.