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3 Reasons Why A Toothache Could Signal A Big Dental Problem

13 May 2018 by Harold Coleman

Having a toothache is a problem most people have gone through at one time or another. While it may seem easy to put an ice pack on it and then forget about it, without medical care you could be ignoring a big problem with your oral health. If you or a loved one are suffering from toothaches, read on to discover three of the things that could be the cause.

1. Nerve Damage

Nerve damage is often the root cause behind toothaches. Nerves typically don't become damaged in the teeth unless something has harmed them. For example, a deep cavity could be potentially irritating or even hurting the nerves in your teeth. When these nerves are affected by decay, they send a pain signal to the brain, and that's what you could be feeling now.

Ignoring nerve damage can cause permanent problems. In addition to potentially putting your entire tooth at risk by not having the tooth decay treated, once nerves are damaged they often cause permanent numbness or pain. Getting treated immediately is the best way to avoid this.

2. Severe Gum Disease

Gum disease can cause tooth pain just like nerve damage can. The gums surround and hold the teeth in place, so when something goes wrong with your gums, it can affect how your teeth feel. Severe gum disease or gum infections can potentially make your teeth hurt. However, if you're having this problem, chances are you're having other gum disease symptoms as well. If your gums are swollen, red, bleeding, or painful, chances are gum disease is behind your tooth pain.

3. Enamel Loss

Lastly, severe enamel loss on the surface of your teeth can cause toothaches. Enamel is the solid, hard layer that protects your teeth from damage and pain. When this enamel is damaged, worn down, or eroded away, it exposes the pulp and dentin of your teeth. These two materials both have nerve endings and exposing them to cold, heat, and acidic foods can induce extreme pain. Thankfully, dentists can perform repairs to not only restore the functionality of your tooth enamel but to protect your tooth from further damage and to stop the pain.

All three of these dental problems can trigger tooth pain in adults and children alike. If your toothache doesn't go away or is triggered by specific kinds of food or drink, get attention from a dentist right away. Doing so can save the life of your tooth and prevent you from going through worse or permanent discomfort.

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