What could be causing your tooth pain?

We’ve all been there, waking up in the middle of the night, not being able to fall asleep, and enduring a long, painful day, all because of a toothache. We’ve asked out doctors to help us in identifying the most common reasons for dental pain, listed below.

Some of the more common ways dental pain is experienced are:

  • Sensitivity to temperature
  • Pain when biting or chewing
  • Dull or throbbing aches
  • Constant Pain

The most common issues associated with these types of pain include:

  • Infection: If you have swollen gums, a small bump on your gums, or fluid or pus present, this could indicate an infection. The infection could be limited to your gums or could indicate a more serious issue, such as an abscess tooth.
  • Clenching and Grinding: If you wake up with your jaw or all of your teeth aching, often accompanied by headaches, this may be due to clenching and grinding your teeth while you sleep. A common solution to this pain is a night guard. A night guard will limit the wear on your teeth and is usually an effective solution to this type of pain.
  • Cavities: Sensitivity to temperature and pain when biting and chewing are often associated with a cavity. It could be a new area of decay or a loose or missing filling.

These are just a few of the reasons for dental pain. It is always best to consult with your dentist if you are experiencing any type of dental discomfort.