Anyone who has experienced tooth pain knows the quicker you find relief, the better. Feeling pain in your teeth is not normal and can indicate a serious issue. If your teeth hurt, it is always a good idea to see your dentist as soon as possible. He or she can then do a thorough examination and answer the question you probably have, “Why are my teeth hurting?” It could be any one of a number a reasons, but the dedicated dentists at Lee, Bonfiglio, Vesely & Associates would like to review the most common with you below:
Cavity Causing Tooth Pain
A cavity is caused by a spot decay in your tooth enamel due to bacteria eating away at plaque. Cavities can create sensitivity that results in tooth pain. Cavities are easiest to manage when they are small and the tooth can be saved.
Damaged or Lost Filling
Sometimes the filling that your dentist installed to repair a cavity can fall out or be damaged, which will cause issues with your bite, leading to pain. A visit to your dentist can determine what needs to be done to relieve the pain.
Teeth Grinding/Clenching/TMJ
You may find yourself bearing down on your teeth during the day, or even at night when you sleep, which can cause soreness in your teeth. Your dentist can offer solutions such as mouth guards to help spare your teeth from excess wear and tear, as well as painful headaches, toothaches and jaw pain.
Abscessed Tooth
An abscess is a serious infection at the root of a tooth. It is extremely painful and must be treated with antibiotics and a dental procedure to prevent a recurrence. Failure to address it can lead to a widespread infection in other parts of the body such as the heart or brain, leading to more serious illness or even death.
Wisdom Teeth Coming In
When your wisdom teeth begin to erupt, they can cause a great deal of swelling, jaw stiffness, and discomfort. Your dentist can determine if the teeth are coming in properly or if they will need to be removed.
Injury
Injury caused by contact sports or an accident can cause any number of dental issues including a “bruised” or deep discoloring of the tooth, a broken tooth, or total loss of one or more teeth.
Temperature Sensitivity
When the underlying layer of the tooth enamel, called the dentin, is exposed due to cracks in the outer enamel or the recession of the gum tissue, your teeth may become extra sensitive to either hot or cold temperatures, or both.
Orthodontic Treatment
When you have your braces adjusted, you are likely to experience some level of discomfort. This is normal and using an over-the-counter pain medicine to relieve this should be effective. If the issue is caused by the hardware itself, a little ball of dental wax to remove the sharp edges on the new wires should do the trick.
Teeth Whitening
Most people will feel some slight discomfort after a professional teeth-whitening treatment, but the pain should resolve itself within a day. Consult with your dentist if it is too painful or problematic.
Relieve Tooth Pain in Annapolis, MD
No matter what the reason, we know tooth pain can be miserable, so quit asking, “Why are my teeth hurting?” and schedule an appointment online with a Lee, Bonfiglio, Vesely & Associates dentist today, or call our scheduling specialist at (410) 989-8298. Most dentists have specific appointments available for dental emergencies, especially when you are experiencing pain, to identify the underlying problem and help you find the relief you need as soon as possible.
