People experience toothaches of varying degrees of pain. This is because there are several causes of toothache, and different causes call for different treatments.

One common cause of toothache is the presence of cavities. Poor oral habits cause cavities; these are holes on the surface of the teeth. The enamel and dentin are become weak when the simple sugars are converted to acid plaque. Because of the acid plaque, the enamel and dentin fail to protect the pulp of the tooth. The holes start out small, but become larger and larger as it is left untreated. In most cases, the holes trap food particles, thus the problem must be addressed immediately. Cavities cause tooth decay; this is why most people experience toothaches.

While cavities can cause much discomfort to a person, the situation can be prevented from becoming worse. In cases where the tooth decay is just minor, a person can have his or her cavities filled by the dentist. The dentist removes the areas of the teeth with decay. This is done by drilling out the decayed area; it is important not to leave even a pinpoint of cavity, because this can again cause the cavity to spread. After the area with cavity is taken out, the hole is covered with the appropriate filling.

In other cases where the tooth’s state is beyond what filling can do, then the patient undergoes a root canal. This prevents toothaches in the future. Other dentists opt to have the decayed tooth taken out. The tooth is then replaced with a crown or a bridge.

Another cause of a toothache is an impacted wisdom tooth. A wisdom tooth may not grow normally, and this causes the person to feel pain in the gums and the jaw. Since there is not enough space in the gums, then the gums start to swell because of the erupting tooth. In other cases when the tooth does not grow upright, gum pockets form. These pockets trap bacteria, and this leads to a bad toothache.
In some situations, the gum area around the wisdom tooth is cut up to provide space to the new tooth. This remedy works for some people, and they will not need to have their wisdom tooth taken out. However, in cases where the impacted tooth is causing serious problems, then the patient is prescribed to undergo oral surgery. A dentist or oral surgeon performs the procedure; a small cut is made on the gums in the affected area. A portion of the bone may also be taken out to make the tooth extraction easier. Stitches allow the gums to heal faster.

Gum disease also causes toothaches. Gingivitis usually starts when a person fails to brush and floss regularly. In effect, the person’s gums bleeds easily whenever he or she brushes the teeth. Periodontitis develops because of poor oral hygiene, pockets form in between the gums and the teeth. Gums recede as bacteria accumulates; when the situation worsens, tooth loss occurs.

To treat gum disease, regular cleaning is prescribed. Prophylaxes done at least twice a year assure that plaque and tartar do not build up. Scaling and root planing (SRP) is another option for patients with more serious conditions. At the end of the day, it really pays to practice good oral hygiene. By brushing and flossing regularly and properly, a person is less likely to develop gum disease.

Research show that over 5 million people visit their dentist every year with one common problem – toothache. Yes, you read it correctly! Toothache is the main reason why people visit their dentist because they want to be relieved from the pain it brings. Simply put, toothache, scientifically called as odontalgia, happens when the pulp of the tooth is exposed and/or infected. A tooth is composed of three main parts – the pulp, the dentin and the enamel. The pulp is the inner layer which is engulfed by a layer of dentin. The layer of dentin is covered by the hard layer we see called the enamel. When the enamel is damaged, exposing the dentin, a toothache can occur.

The six most common causes of a toothache are as tooth decay, tooth abcess, jaw disease, gum disease, tooth root sensitivities, and a cracked tooth. In the text the will follow, each one will be explained in detail with their corresponding treatment.
First, tooth decay. Tooth decay occurs when a hole is formed in the enamel, thus exposing the dentin. There are cases when the inner pulp is also exposed which causes a severe toothache. Demineralization of the enamel caused by the acids created by bacteria in the mouth is what makes the hole. To avoid having a tooth decay, reducing the amount of sugary foods one consumes should be done. This is because the bacteria feeds on the sugar and starch that is left in the mouth. Brushing and flossing will also stop plaque build-up. A visit to the dentist with a cavity or tooth decay will mean applying a filling to the hole. Larger holes may need a crown. In more severe scenarios, a root canal or tooth extraction may be done to stop the toothache.

A tooth abcess is a complication of an untreated tooth decay. With a tooth abcess, the bacteria has infected the inner pulp of the tooth up to the root causing a very painful toothache. When this occurs, the dentist will have no other choice but to perform a root canal procedure by removing the pulp and filling it with an inert material. If this does not work, then a tooth extraction will be done.
A jaw disease is usually caused by an impact or injury to the head. It is characterized by pain felt in the muscles around the jaw which one can mistake for a toothache. Having a jaw disease often limits the person’s jaw movements. To remedy this, the dentist will fit you with an intraoral splint. If bruxism or teeth grinding is the problem, crowns and other orthodontic treatment may be required to align the teeth.

Build up of plaque (bacteria found in the mouth) or tartar is the main cause of a gum disease. This build-up causes the soft tissues of the mouth to become infected and leads to bleeding gums. When a dentist diagnoses that one has a gum disease, oral hygiene improvement will be advised. In some cases, removal of plaque and tartar will be done. For the more severe ones, the inflammed gum tissue will have to be removed.

Tooth Root Sensitivities occur when toxins dissolve the bone around the root. When this gets dissolved, the root is exposed which can cause sensitivity resulting to a toothache. This can even cause a chronic gum disease. Brushing with flouride toothpaste can help in this situation. Severe situations will need a root canal or tooth extraction procedure to stop the toothache.

Having a cracked tooth is another cause of a toothache. This can occur for a variety of reasons including mouth injuries, bruxism, chewing on rigid objects, and/or exposure to extreme temperature changes. A cracked tooth will expose the dentin or the inner pulp thus the pain that comes with a toothache. Untreated, having a cracked tooth will lead to severe pain because the exposed inner pulp can be infected. Treatment for a cracked tooth can include tooth bonding for mild cases, and root canal or tooth extraction for severe ones.

These are just some of the common causes of a toothache. With any of these causes, it is still best if one sees the dentist to have an accurate diagnosis and treatment.