8 Causes of Toothache and What You Can Do About It

Did you know that your teeth are actually pretty sensitive? It’s true! Your teeth have nerve endings all over them, which is why a toothache can be so painful. Toothache is a term for an intense and painful sensation in the tooth. It’s usually caused by a bacterial infection that can spread from one tooth to another. Toothaches are most common due to a variety of factors. Each cause has its own symptoms, so it’s important to understand what you’re experiencing so that you can figure out which cause is present.

1. Tooth decay

One of the most common causes of toothache is tooth decay. It occurs when bacteria in your mouth eat away at your enamel. This can then lead to pain and sensitivity. In order to prevent tooth decay, you should make sure to brush your teeth twice a day, floss on a regular basis, and avoid sweets as they can increase your risk of cavities. If you’re experiencing any pain from your toothache, contact a dentist as soon as possible. The sooner you get treatment for it, the better.

2. Dry mouth

Dry mouth can be a symptom of certain conditions that affect saliva production. If your saliva isn’t flowing, you run the risk of developing a dry mouth. This loss of saliva makes it difficult for your teeth to stay clean and healthy, leading to more cavities, gum disease, and periodontal (gum) disease. There are many things you can do to help prevent dry mouth. That includes increasing your fluid intake and reducing sugar intake.

3. Gum disease

Gum disease is an infection of the gum tissue that can lead to tooth loss. Gum disease is caused by a bacterial buildup, which causes inflamed gums. If left untreated, this can lead to a missing tooth. The good news is that you can prevent gum disease with proper brushing and flossing routine. You should also see a dentist every six months or so to make sure your teeth are in tip-top shape.

There are ways to prevent gum disease and keep your mouth healthy. Firstly, it's important to brush your teeth twice daily and floss once daily. You should also rinse your mouth with water or mouthwash after brushing and flossing to get rid of the bacteria that cause gum disease.

4. TMJ disorder

Some cases of toothache are caused by a temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ). Symptoms of this condition include pain in the jaw muscles and tendons, as well as headaches. There’s not much that you can do about this condition at home, but if your doctor runs an X-ray to make sure nothing is broken, then you could start taking painkillers. You might also need to use a splint or night guard for a few weeks until the pain subsides.

5. Certain foods and drinks

Many types of foods and beverages can cause tooth pain. Some common culprits include:

• Coffee
• Refined sugar
• Tea

Toothache often occurs during or after a meal. This could be because bacteria are building up in your mouth from eating too much sugar or acidic foods like citrus fruits. If you’re experiencing a toothache, make sure to avoid these sources of irritation.

6. Teething

In addition to being a big reason for children to have toothaches, teething also can cause adults to experience toothaches. You should try making a warm compress or giving your child something cold or hard to chew on until they’re done teething.

7. Broken or cracked teeth

If you bite down on something too hard or accidentally break a tooth while playing sports, get it fixed right away by scheduling an appointment with your dentist. Otherwise, the broke tooth can become painful, sensitive, and more prone to tooth decay.

8. Injury

It’s totally normal to have a toothache after bumping into something hard. These types of injuries happen all the time, but make sure that you take care of yourself and get checked out by a doctor before any major problems arise from them.