Have you ever struggled with the pain of a toothache? It’s easy to ignore short, momentary feelings of pain, but not all sudden bursts of pain subside so quickly. Most times, if the pains of a toothache persist and start to interrupt their regular routine, most people contemplate calling their dentist. But have you ever thought about why your tooth hurts? In some cases, it’s minor, but in others, it’s more severe. Depending on the severity of the pain, you should consider contacting a dentist in Laguna Niguel, but sometimes the pain can subside with a few changes in your routine. 

Toothaches can be caused by various reasons ranging from common tooth sensitivity and cavities to the worst, like a growing abscess. It’s important to know why your tooth hurts because it’s the first step in the diagnosis and treatment. Understanding why your experiencing toothaches can also help the dentist figure out what they’re dealing with and determine how they can prevent the pain from worsening, which can ultimately save your tooth. 

Here are a few of the most common causes of toothaches — and every reason why it’s good for you to know, depending on the pain, to contact your dentist or even an oral surgeon in Mission Viejo or Laguna Niguel.  

Teeth Grinding

Whether it’s in your sleep or an everyday habit, grinding your teeth can cause toothaches and pain in your jaw, neck, or other muscles. If you have noticed that you grind your teeth or have been told that you grind your teeth in your sleep, talk to your dentist about using a mouthguard in your sleep to prevent the grinding and eliminate toothaches or any other damage to your teeth. 

Poor brushing and flossing technique 

What is your technique when you brush your teeth? It’s recommended that you use gentle, circular motions that target getting rid of food particles being stuck in your teeth, leading to plaque build-up. You might think that brushing more aggressively will clean your teeth more, but this method doesn’t guarantee a more thorough clean but will cause more damage to gums resulting in bleeding. Over time this aggressive method can create excess pressure in the gums, which will cause them to shrink and damage your teeth.

Gum problems

Oral surgeons in Mission Viejo will identify and treat the most common signs of gum difficulties, including redness, inflammation, bleeding, and toothaches. If the issues are prolonged, severe damage to gums will occur that will eventually reach the jawbone. Suppose you have not visited a dentist within the last year. In that case, you should prioritize getting your teeth and gums checked out to clean any harmful bacteria and prevent further damage or complications.  

Cavities

Cavities are very preventable when you brush regularly and floss. However, many people have to first experience a cavity before they start taking oral hygiene and dental care more seriously; sometimes, it even takes the onset of tooth decay. 

While a cavity can seem to be a small issue, cavities that start out by affecting the tooth’s enamel can turn into a bigger problem. Cavities, if left untreated, can damage the dentin and cause pain and extreme sensitivity. If the problem persists, severe tooth decay will occur once the tooth’s innermost layer is reached, which will cause extremely severe sharp pains and toothaches that will require you to receive emergency dental care. 

Chipped Teeth

There’s no doubt that injuries to the mouth where teeth could be fractured hurt. These types of injuries are common in accidents, sports, and even biting down to chew rough foods. If you have experienced tooth pain after any of these scenarios, you may need emergency dental care, especially if the tooth fracture extends to the middle of the tooth where the nerve endings are located.

Even if you aren’t experiencing toothaches after these incidents, it doesn’t mean you’re in the clear from having a fracture. Visiting your dentist regularly will allow them to identify and treat any small cracks before they progress into bigger issues.  

Final Thoughts: 

Identifying the cause of your toothache is extremely important. From all the reasons above, whether they are minor to severe, you have to take the necessary precautions to ensure the health of your teeth. Which makes visiting your dentist in Laguna Niguel regularly important to make sure your teeth are healthy and identifying more severe pain from toothaches to address those with an oral surgeon in Mission Viejo to receive treatment and maintain the health of your teeth.