Anyone who’s ever had tooth pain knows the faster it can be relieved, the better. Pain is not normal and can indicate a problem in your mouth that needs to be addressed. If your teeth are hurting you, it is always a good idea to quickly see your dentist. Dr. William Harper of Newport News can do a thorough examination and answer the burning question you may have, Why do my teeth hurt? It could be a number a reasons, but below are the most common:
Cavity: A cavity is simply a hole in your tooth due decay of enamel by bacteria. Cavities can create sensitivity that results in tooth pain. If a cavity is treated when it is small, the tooth can usually be saved, usually with a filling made of metal or a composite material.
Damaged or Lost Filling: Sometimes your filling can fall out or be damaged. This exposes the cavity again which will cause issues with your bite, leading to pain. A visit to Dr. Harper can determine what needs to be done to eliminate the pain.
Teeth Grinding/Clenching/TMJ: Some people may find themselves bearing down on their teeth teeth during the day or wake up with a sore jaw. Both of these are good indicators that they are clenching or grinding their teeth at night. Dr. Harper can offer solutions to help save teeth from excess wear and tear, as well as painful headaches, toothaches and jaw pain.
Abscessed Tooth: An abscess forms when there is an infection at the root of the tooth. Abscesses are extremely painful and only antibiotics can help. Failure to address this issue can lead to the infection spreading to other parts of your body, causing an oral health issue to become a system (whole body) threat.
Wisdom Teeth Impaction: When your wisdom teeth begin to erupt, there can be a great deal of pain, swelling, and jaw stiffness, especially if they are impacted. Impaction happens when they are growing in without enough room on your jaw, leading them to grow into other teeth. An examination from Dr. Harper can determine if the teeth are coming in properly or if they should be removed.
Injury: Injury caused by such things as accidents or contact sports may cause any number of problems including a “bruised” or deep discoloring of the tooth, a chipped or broken tooth, or total loss of one or more teeth.
Temperature Sensitivity: When the dentin, the underlying layer of the tooth, is exposed due to cracks in the enamel or the recession of the gums, your teeth may become sensitive to temperatures. Some teeth are only sensitive to hot or cold while some others may be sensitive to both.
Orthodontic Treatment: It is normal for there to be some discomfort or pain due to the adjustment of braces. Using an over-the-counter pain medicine, or if the issue is caused by the hardware itself, a little ball of dental wax should help.
Teeth Whitening: Teeth whitening can cause sensitivity or pain in many people, but the effects should alleviate within a day or so. Consult with Dr. Harper if it becomes too painful or problematic.
No matter what the reason, tooth pain can be miserable, so stop asking, “Why do my teeth hurt?” and schedule an appointment online with Dr. William Harper of Newport News VA today, or call 757.414.7227 to schedule by phone.