Tooth pain can be debilitating and highly impactful on your everyday life. It is often a symptom of a larger dental problem. So you should not ignore this discomfort, even if you think you can endure it. Tell your dentist about any oral pain as soon as you can, even if it is not yet time for your next routine dental check-up.
You might notice that there is not one singular type of toothache. The degree of this sensation can reveal a great deal about the underlying issue in your smile. Read on to learn about three types of tooth pain you may experience and what the symptoms may mean for your oral health.
Tooth Sensitivity
If your tooth pain manifests intermittently as a sharp and sudden pain when you bite into or drink certain items, you might have tooth sensitivity. The pain may come and go, but it can deeply affect your eating habits and point to serious problems in your dental health.
The sensitivity occurs when the enamel, the outer shell of your tooth, sustains damage. Thinning or weakening in the enamel reveals the nerves within the underlying dentin. If an external stimulus, like a food or drink, touches a nerve, it will send a pain signal to your brain.
Not only will sensitive teeth feel uncomfortable, but weakened enamel will mean your smile is vulnerable to further damage as well. Oral bacteria can put the tooth in danger of decay or infections. You should speak to your dentist as soon as possible to find the cause of this enamel damage and find treatment to fix the problem accordingly before it worsens.
Dull Chronic Toothache
Oral pain might also feel like a constant ache in your tooth. Since it seems dull, you might feel tempted to dismiss it, but it might signify an oral health concern. Low-level toothaches might have a number of causes. Seek an evaluation from your dentist to pinpoint the underlying issue and find relief.
Sometimes the reason for this toothache is simple and acute, like a bit of food stuck between your teeth. Make sure you safely handle this issue to avoid dental damage. Chronic habits, like teeth grinding, can exert pressure on your teeth and cause this type of pain as well. Talk to your dentist to resolve this behavior before the excess pressure leads to dental complications.
Severe or Intense Tooth Pain
An intense throbbing pain in your tooth may be hard to ignore. You should call your dentist for an emergency evaluation right away if this happens. Deep, pulsating tooth pain might signify an infection in the tooth. This may need urgent root canal therapy in order to prevent the problem from spreading and worsening.
This severe oral pain could also occur due to a fracture in the tooth. A broken tooth might not always have a visible crack or chip on the surface. So if you suspect you sustained a dental injury, visit your dentist for an oral exam and a resolution to your discomfort.