Maybe it’s a shooting pain that seems like it came out of nowhere. Maybe it’s a general ache in a tooth that just won’t go away. Maybe there’s discomfort every time you bite down in a certain spot. The reality is anyone can get a toothache at pretty much any time—they come in all shapes and sizes. If you have teeth, you can get a toothache. While some are simply passing pains, other toothaches signal a more serious underlying condition. That’s why it’s important to figure out why a tooth is giving you trouble and get treatment from a dentist as soon as you can. Here, we’ll cover the various common causes for toothaches, as well as what to do when a toothache comes up and how to prevent that from happening in the first place.  

Primary Cause 1: Infection 

Colgate reports that, “According to the National Institutes of Health, your mouth is home to 700 species of microorganisms or bacteria that live on your teeth, tongue, and even the pockets between your tooth and gum.” This means that at any given moment, gross as it might sound, your mouth is literally crawling with bacteria. Before you freak out, know that much of this bacteria is harmless and a normal part of your mouth’s microbiome! 

But sometimes, bad bacteria does set in. When this happens, it can cause an infection in your tooth, which will then need to be treated with antibiotics. You may also find yourself with an infection due to injury or a dental procedure gone awry.  

An infected tooth will usually start giving you pain once the infection has made its way to the pulp (the delicate collection of vessels and nerves that make up the innermost portion of your tooth). Dentists call this condition pulpitis. Often, this is a sign that you’ve had the infection for longer than you might think. If you notice that you’re suddenly more sensitive to hot or cold liquids and foods, that’s a signal that you might have pulpitis. Another good indication is if you experience pain when the tooth is tapped or swelling around that general area.  

If left untreated, pulpitis can worsen into a dental abscess, a condition that is potentially life-threatening. A dental abscess is a pocket of pus that forms either at the root of the tooth or in the gums as a result of infection. Untreated abscesses can spread their infection to the jaw, face, head, and neck. In severe cases, the infection can even enter the bloodstream, causing someone to go into septic shock (which could be fatal).  

Primary Cause 2: Cavities 

The Center for Disease Control calls cavities “one of the greatest unmet health treatment needs.” They report that 90% of adults ages 20 and up have had at least one cavity in their lifetime. It makes sense, then, that if you are experiencing a toothache, you may be one of the 1 in 4 adults in the 20-64 age range who currently have a cavity.

We tend to think of the primary indicator of a cavity as the dark hole or pit that would show up on our teeth when we eat too much sugar. While it’s true that cavities do create these pits in our teeth, they’re usually in places too difficult for us to see without any dental tools. A more reliable way to tell you have a cavity is by the pain you may get when eating or drinking. If you experience pain every time you chew, that’s a signal that you need to contact our office.  

Primary Cause 3: Injury  

If you’ve experienced an injury resulting in a chipped, cracked, or broken tooth then you may also be experiencing dental pain. These injuries could be the result of: 

• An accident such as a fall or being in a car wreck 
• Sudden changes in temperature inside the mouth 
• Biting down on foods that are too hard 
• Fillings that have weakened the tooth 
• Grinding your teeth (a condition known as bruxism) 

These are just a few dental injuries that may occur. Most chipped and cracked teeth occur in people over the age of 50, but it can happen to anyone. Cracked teeth are extremely common. Dentistry Today reports it to be the third-leading cause of tooth loss in the industrialized world. And as you might have guessed, a cracked tooth is likely to be an achy tooth. If you are experiencing a toothache, think back carefully and examine the tooth closely to see whether you may have gotten even a minor chip that could be causing your discomfort.  

Handling a Toothache 

Your dentist is your best resource for diagnosing and treating your toothache. Unfortunately, it’s not always possible to see your dentist as soon as the pain starts. If you experience sudden dental pain, you should: 

• Make an appointment with your dentist immediately 
• Take over-the-counter pain relievers as directed on the label 
• Use floss to remove any food particles or debris between your teeth 
• Rinse your mouth with warm water 
• Place an ice pack or something cold on the sore area 

Sometimes, a toothache may simply pass away on its own. Still, it’s important to discern the cause and speak with your dentist about any acute pain, as toothaches can often point to more serious underlying conditions.  

Prevent Toothaches Before They Start 

You can’t always anticipate tooth pain, but you can do everything that you can to prevent tooth pain from occurring. That’s why maintaining good oral hygiene is so important. Whether it’s a toothache or gum disease you’re fighting, keeping up a rigorous oral hygiene routine is all you can do to protect your teeth and stop problems before they can occur.  

Make sure that you’re: 

• Brushing your teeth for two minutes, twice per day 
• Flossing at least once per day after eating 
• Making your regular dental appointments 

Brushing and flossing is your best line of defense against issues that can cause toothaches. By seeing your dentist regularly, you’ll receive cleanings as well as have a professional pair of eyes on the lookout for any problem areas that may need addressing. 

Final Thoughts 

There are multiple reasons why you may experience a toothache: the most common include infection, cavities, and injury. If you have a sudden toothache, you should take immediate action to treat it until you can see your dentist. For the best protection, practice good oral hygiene through brushing, flossing, and keeping dental appointments.

Call our office today if you have any questions about toothaches or would like to schedule your next appointment here at Washington Family Dental.