4 causes of toothache and what to do about it

Pain is a natural protective response of our body. The sensory trigger is there to let you know something is wrong-something that emanates from the inside out, whether it is mild or serious. Dental pain is no exception to the rule either. Most of the time, a toothache is a sign that there’s something wrong with your teeth or gums. Here are four causes of toothache and what to do about it:

Gum Diseases

Gum disease, often known as periodontitis, is an inflammation of the gums. It causes the gums to become inflamed, heated, red, and swollen. Gum disease can cause moderate to severe pain and depending upon how severe the pain is, you can detect how severe the infection is.

What to do: The first line of defence against gum disease is a thorough cleaning. Unlike a standard cleaning, which is usually performed only above the gum line, a deep cleaning is performed below the gum line. Your dentist will use special instruments to treat it.

Sensitivity to temperature

Tooth sensitivity caused by heat or cold usually occurs when the enamel - the tooth's outer protective coating, has worn away. The sections of a tooth above the gum line are covered in enamel.

What to do: The treatment will be determined by the cause of the sensitivity. Your dentist may recommend Fluoride gel, desensitising toothpaste, a crown, an inlay, a bonding, gum graft surgery or Root canal.

Tooth Decay

Damage to a tooth's surface, or enamel, is known as tooth decay. It occurs when bacteria in your mouth produce acids that eat away at your teeth's enamel. Tooth decay can cause cavities. If left untreated, dental decay can lead to discomfort, infection, and even tooth loss.

What to do: Visit a dentist if it gets worse. Other than that, you can brush your teeth with fluoride toothpaste after eating or drinking, rinse your mouth often or eat tooth-healthy foods.

Bruxism

Bruxism is defined by clenching and grinding of the teeth and can occur while asleep or awake. Over time, it can cause tooth sensitivity, as well as tooth or facial pain.

What to do: Avoid grinding your teeth by reducing stress in your life, practising good sleeping habits or using a mouth guard to protect your teeth from grinding while sleeping.

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