Most people have experienced a flash or sudden pain in their teeth. According to an American Family Physician survey, about 22% of adults have experienced pain in their teeth, jaws, or gums, highlighting the importance of regular teeth brushing.
Teeth pains could occur if you have certain health conditions like tooth sensitivity, cavities, and conditions affecting the gum. When left untreated, tooth pain could worsen and even make drinking or consuming hot foods and drinks challenging. Hence, any tooth discomfort is not an issue you should ignore.
The good news is that most causes of abrupt tooth discomfort are treatable, especially when detected early. Understanding the cause of tooth discomfort is key for precise treatment and keeping this bothersome issue at bay. Below are ten possible causes of pain and discomfort in your teeth:
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Exposure to Excess Heat or Cold
You will likely experience tooth sensitivity when your tooth comes into contact with extremely hot or cold food and drinks. That is particularly true if your tooth enamel is eroded, exposing the sensitive part of your tooth (the pulp chamber). While the pain is usually temporary, it can be sharp and uncomfortable.
Also, teeth sensitivity issues can sometimes fail to disappear completely, but your dentist could help reduce its symptoms. A comprehensive diagnosis will be required to determine the cause of your problem and provide the right treatment.
If you have a cavity or crack that exposes the nervous part of your tooth to stimuli, your dentist will recommend treatment of this issue to prevent teeth sensitivity whenever you sip cold or hot drinks.
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Tooth Cavity or Decay
Another common cause of sudden pain in your teeth is cavities or decay. Tooth decay is caused by plaque or bacteria that stick on the surface of your tooth. When left unchecked, this bacteria will build up and begin breaking down minerals on your tooth enamel, causing small visible holes, also known as cavities.
Tooth decay is the early stage of the development of cavities, meaning you can prevent this issue with proper dental hygiene and regular dental visits. Frequent dental appointments are vital to detect and treat these problems before they become problematic. At first, when a cavity forms on your teeth, it could go unnoticed because it is not symptomatic.
However, when the cavity extends to the inner nervous part of your teeth, you will experience symptoms like sudden, excruciating pain. Your dentist could recommend deep teeth cleaning and antibiotics to treat tooth decay. However, composite filling could be necessary after deep teeth cleaning if you have visible cavities.
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Infection or Abscess
A tooth infection or abscess is another possible culprit for the sudden pain in your teeth. In most cases, tooth infection or abscess is caused by an untreated cavity, which gives the harmful bacteria a conducive environment to thrive. The pocket of an abscess or infection often comes from the pulp chamber of your tooth or the inside of your gums. Here are some of the symptoms of abscess to watch out for:
- Swollen or red gums
- Swollen cheek or face
- A fever
- Pain when chewing or biting
- Sudden pain in your gums or teeth
To treat an infected tooth, your dentist could recommend a root canal to drain the infection and antibiotics. However, in severe cases, extraction of the infected tooth could be necessary to fix the problem permanently.
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Gum Diseases
Also known as periodontal diseases, gum diseases affect several people countrywide. Specifically, gingivitis, which is the first stage of gum disease. During the onset of gingivitis, you will experience the following symptoms:
- Inflammation of the gums
- Reddening or swelling of the gums
- Bleeding gums
- Pain on your gums
When left unchecked, gingivitis will progress, leading to bone loss and gum recession, which provides bacteria with an ideal environment to thrive. Severe gum recession can leave your tooth roots exposed and sensitive to various stimuli, like cold or warm foods.
To treat gum disease, your dentist will recommend deep cleaning and antibiotics. However, gum surgery could be necessary if the disease has caused bone loss or deep gum pockets.
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Enamel Erosion
According to research, about twelve percent of people have experienced enamel or dentin hypersensitivity. Some of the causes of dentin hypersensitivity include the following:
- Vigorous brushing of the teeth
- Acidic diet or drinks like red wine and coffee
- Acidic secretions released by mouth bacteria
- Teeth whitening products
Enamel erosion can cause intermittent pain, sending chills up your spine whenever you bite food like nuts. While this is a common condition among people aged 18 to 44, it can affect anyone.
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Cracked or Fractured Tooth
A fracture or crack on your tooth could also be the culprit of your sudden toothache and sensitivity. While your teeth enamel is the most mineralized and hard part of your body, it has limits. Your tooth could crack or fracture due to the following:
- Aging
- Blow to the mouth during a car accident or sports injury
- Weakened tooth integrity caused by aging
- Pressure caused by teeth-grinding
- Biting or chewing hard foods
Regardless of the cause, a tooth crack or fracture should not be left untreated. When left unfixed, tooth cracks can lead to cavities, tooth infection, and eventually tooth loss. Hence, seeking dentist guidance once you experience any symptoms of a tooth crack for immediate treatment is vital. Not every cracked tooth will cause symptoms, but when it does, here are some of the common symptoms to expect:
- Pain that comes and disappears
- Pain when biting and chewing food
- Sensitivity to hot foods and drinks
- Gum swelling when the crack extends to your gum line
After diagnosis, the treatment your dentist will recommend for the cracked tooth will depend on the location of the crack and whether it extends to your gum line. Common treatment methods your dentist could recommend for your cracked or fractured tooth include the following:
- Bonding
- A dental crown
- Root canal
- Tooth extraction
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Sinus Infection
Also known as sinusitis, a sinus infection is the inflammation of your sinuses (tiny, air-filled cavities behind your forehead and cheekbones). Aside from facial tenderness and headache, a sinus infection could also put pressure on your jaws and teeth due to inflammation of tissues surrounding them, causing tooth pain.
Hence, sudden pain in your upper back teeth could be a symptom of sinus infection, which is prevalent because your nasal passages are close neighbors of your teeth. If you have a persistent, bothersome toothache, consulting a dentist could help pinpoint the problem for appropriate treatment.
Once the dentist rules that a sinus infection could be the possible cause of your toothache, he/she will recommend consulting a doctor for treatment. Your dentist could recommend oral antibiotics to treat your sinus infection. However, if the sinus infection is severe, surgery could be needed to fix the issue.
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Teeth Clenching or Grinding
While it is typically a common issue among people with stress or anxiety issues, teeth clenching and grinding could also occur while you are asleep unconsciously. People with sleep disorders, bite disorders, and missing teeth are more likely to grind their teeth while asleep.
Unfortunately, teeth clenching or grinding is also a culprit of a sudden toothache because it causes your teeth' enamel to wear down and sometimes can even cause your teeth to fracture. While teeth clenching could happen occasionally during stressful or anxious situations, chronic or daily clenching of your teeth is an issue that requires medical attention.
To reduce the impact of teeth grinding on the teeth, your dentist could recommend wearing night guards before you sleep. However, in some cases, botox could be the best remedy to stop the muscle that pushes your jaws or teeth to clench.
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Malocclusion and Crowded Teeth
If your teeth are not aligned properly, they could cause painful symptoms. You have malocclusion if your teeth on the upper and lower jaws do not align properly when your mouth is at rest. On the other hand, crowded teeth occur when you do not have sufficient space on your jawbone to accommodate erupting teeth.
If you have crowded teeth, you are more likely to experience pain in your teeth when wisdom teeth begin to erupt on the surface. Some of the common causes of teeth crowding and malocclusion among most people include the following:
- Hereditary genes
- Prolonged thumb sucking or use of pacifiers
- Missing teeth
- Teeth grinding
- Jaw shape and fractures
Depending on the cause of your malocclusion or crowded teeth and the severity of the issue, your dentist could recommend orthodontic treatments, like wearing braces or removing one or more teeth, to create adequate space for the erupting teeth. To lessen the pain caused by the crowded teeth, your dentist could also recommend over-the-counter medications, like naproxen or ibuprofen.
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Teeth-Whitening Products
In-office teeth-whitening procedures or using home-based teeth-whitening or bleaching products could also be the culprit for your sudden toothache because they contain chemicals that erode your teeth enamel. However, this temporary pain will alleviate about three days after your in-office teeth-whitening procedure.
However, if you prefer home-based teeth-whitening products to brighten your smile, this pain will subside once you quit using these products.
Generally speaking, your sudden toothache could be due to several reasons. When some of these issues are left untreated, the pain can become worse and even lead to severe dental health issues. Therefore, seeking the services of a dentist is a wise move if you have a sudden toothache that you cannot pinpoint the cause.
A thorough diagnosis by an experienced dentist could help pinpoint the specific issue causing your toothache. Examples of diagnostic procedures your dentist could use to pinpoint the cause of your toothache include an MRI scan or an X-ray. The sooner you visit your dentist if you have any dental issues, the better because most dental and oral health issues worsen with time.
When Should I Schedule an Appointment With My Dentist?
While you should maintain regular dental appointments with a dentist for top-notch oral and dental health, scheduling immediate dental appointments could be necessary if your teeth have become sensitive. Your dentist could recommend simple treatments like sensitivity-lessening toothpaste.
However, if this treatment is not helpful, your dentist could recommend a filling or corrective procedures like tooth extraction or filling to alleviate the pain. Nonetheless, you should never ignore some dental or oral health-related symptoms, such as:
- Toothache that persists for more than forty-eight (48) hours
- Sharp or throbbing pain that does not subside
- A fever that coincides with the toothache
- A thunderclap headache that seems to extend to the affected tooth or frequent migraines
If you do not have a family dentist you can rely on, you can ask your friends for recommendations to find a reliable dentist for your unique problem without hassle.
Tips on How to Prevent Sudden Toothaches
While most people experience toothaches at some point in their life, it is a preventable condition. Below are helpful tips on how to prevent sudden toothaches:
Practice Excellent Oral Hygiene
The most common causes of sudden toothache, like cavities and gum infections, are preventable through proper oral hygiene practices, like brushing and flossing. Brushing your teeth at least twice daily helps prevent bacteria or plaque buildup on the surface of your teeth, keeping cavities and gum issues at bay.
Regular Dental Visits
Regular dental check-ups and cleanings could help prevent most dental health issues before they become problematic, including caries, cavities, gingivitis, and malocclusion. Ensure you have a reliable dentist you can count on for your and your family’s regular oral and dental health needs.
Find a Credible Dentist Near Me
A toothache can undoubtedly cause extreme inconveniences in our daily lives. Aside from being uncomfortable and bothersome, a toothache could make drinking and eating cold or hot foods challenging, mainly if caused by a cavity or tooth infection.
Fortunately, most toothache issues are treatable, and seeking the services of a reliable dentist as soon as possible is key. We invite you to call our reliable dentists at Lasting Impressions Dental Spa at 818-751-5100 if you have suddenly developed a hypersensitive and painful tooth, wherever you are in Encino. We will assess and examine your unique condition to pinpoint the cause of your toothache and recommend appropriate treatment.
