Causes for a Toothache

Odontalgia, commonly known as a toothache, is a very common problem that can occur due to various different reasons, most of which can be prevented with good oral hygiene. You should visit your dentist regularly, especially if you have a toothache. A dentist may prescribe a mild pain killer or an extensive treatment, based on the cause of the toothache.

Dental Decay

Bacteria makes acids that eat away at a tooth which results in tooth decay, which can eventually form a cavity. Every time you eat, the acids attack your teeth that last for about 20mins. Tooth decays can easily be prevented by brushing and flossing.

Sensitive Teeth

Your teeth become increasingly sensitive to hot and cold beverages or even sweets which cause a toothache. This usually happens because the protective outer layers of the teeth, like the enamel over the crown and the cementum over the root have rotted away; leaving your tooth dentin exposed. You should avoid tooth whiteners, foods or drinks containing high acids, hard brushing and grinding teeth, as all these lead to sensitive teeth. Dentists can offer dental care advice and may prescribe specific toothpastes for sensitive teeth.

Receding Gums

In this case, gums push back which exposes the sensitive parts of the teeth and at times the roots, resulting in toothaches. Brushing too hard or with a brush with hard bristles moves back the gums, so try using a soft tooth brush.

Cracked Tooth

A tooth can crack for many different reasons, perhaps due to an injury or a blow. Or in some cases chewing on hard objects in a drastically varying temperature can also cause a tooth to crack. Bacteria from the plaque can enter the pulp through a cracked or broken tooth, causing inflammation and toothache.

Tooth Abscess

If a cavity is left untreated for a long period of time it infects the inner pulp of the tooth and the bone tissue at the end of the root causing extreme pain. In this case, dentists will have to carry out a root canal procedure, which in most cases will solve the problem. However, if it doesn't then the affected tooth will have to be removed.

These are the basic causes of a toothache; a toothache can also occur for various non-dental reasons like a heart disease. You should consult a dentist as soon as possible for treatment, as it will only get worse with time if left untreated.


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