5 Reasons Your Teeth Could Be Aching

If you experience pain when you brush your teeth or when you consume foods and beverages, that might be a sign of a serious dental issue. Getting to the root of the problem is important since failing to do so often leads to more serious issues. Besides, waiting for the problem to worsen only leads to more pain, suffering and higher dental bills. Identifying these issues and seeking treatment will greatly increase one's chance of avoiding true discomfort.

5 Common reasons why you might experience a toothache

1. Teeth sensitivity

Anyone who experiences pain when sipping hot coffee or biting down on a frozen treat is usually struggling with sensitive teeth. There are multiple causes of teeth sensitivity that result in weaker enamel on the teeth. Erosion or receding gums can expose the cementum of your tooth roots.

Tooth sensitivity can also result from the wearing down of fillings or cavities in a tooth that exposes the tubules in the dentin. If this sensitivity spreads throughout the mouth, then it is likely the cause of gum disease. Regardless of what is the cause of sensitive teeth, head to a dentist immediately.

2. Inflamed gums

Sore or sensitive gums typically result from food particles underneath the gums. This often leads to inflammation and irritation. Sore gums can also be an indicator of the early stages of gum disease. Gum disease is one of the most common dental issues people deal with. It is possible to reverse the earlier stages if the individual seeks professional help in a timely fashion.

3. Jaw issues

Bad habits, like clenching or grinding the teeth can lead to jaw aches. Many people interpret jaw pain as a toothache. People should never ignore jaw issues since these can lead to major issues down the road. If you grind your teeth, a dentist can provide a custom mouth guard that will minimize the effect of grinding teeth while asleep. Head to a dentist immediately if the pain seems to originate from the jaw.

4. Pain when biting

If you find yourself chewing with only one side of your mouth to avoid pain, that might be a sign of an infected or cracked tooth. We can address an infection in a tooth with a root canal treatment during the early stages. If you allow the infection to spread, extracting the tooth may be the only viable option. An infection can also spread into the bloodstream and other vital organs, like the brain.

5. Persistent aches

A toothache that lasts more than a couple of days or one that leaves people tossing and turning at night is usually a sign of an infection. As was mentioned earlier, a tooth infection can spread to other parts of your body, so it is important that you visit a dentist as soon as possible.

Want to learn more about the causes of toothaches? Schedule a consultation with one of our dentists today.

For more information or to schedule an appointment with Oak Tree Dental, request an appointment in our McLean dental office here: https://www.oaktreefamilydental.com. Or call us at (703) 763-5239.