7 Issues That Could be Causing Your Toothache

When you have tooth pain, you may take over-the-counter pain (OTC) medicine and hope it goes away. But a toothache is a sign that something is wrong and not a symptom to ignore.

At Solay Dental in Oldsmar, New Port Richey, and Brandon, Florida, our compassionate dentist, Dr. Shiva Soleimani, treats toothaches and knows what happens when you try to wait out the pain.

Here, we want to share with you issues that could be causing your toothache.

1. Cavities

Cavities are tiny holes in the hard surface of the teeth. They’re a common dental condition that occurs from a buildup of plaque on your teeth, trapping bacteria to the surface of teeth. The bacteria make acid that erodes the hard enamel covering your teeth, leading to the holes.

Cavities may not cause any tooth pain during the early stages. However, when you have a toothache, it may mean you have a large cavity. Without proper treatment, the bacteria continue to eat away at the tooth, gaining access to the root or gums and leading to an infection.

2. Abscess

An untreated cavity may result in an abscess, an infected and pus-filled tooth. The pain from an abscess is a lot harder to ignore than a cavity. If your toothache causes severe pain, making it difficult to eat, drink, or do anything, it’s time to see the dentist.

Treatment may include drainage of the pus, antibiotics, and a root canal. 

3. Fractured tooth

A fractured tooth is a chipped or cracked tooth. Eating hard candy or grinding your teeth at night may cause a fractured tooth. You may not realize you have a tooth injury until you develop a toothache. The injury may also make you more sensitive to hot and cold food and drinks. 

Without treatment, a fractured tooth increases the risk of infection. We can fix a fractured tooth with a crown or veneer. 

4. Loose filling

Fillings are durable, but they may not last forever. If a previously filled tooth is the source of your pain, then you may have a loose or missing filling. A new filling can relieve your toothache. 

5. Gum disease

Gum disease is an infection of the soft tissue in the mouth. When plaque stays on the teeth, it hardens into tartar under the gums. 

Tooth pain when chewing is a common symptom of gum disease. You may also have red, swollen, or bleeding gums. Without treatment, the infection erodes the bones that support your teeth, leading to tooth loss. 

Regular dental cleanings can prevent gum disease. 

6. Wisdom teeth

Wisdom teeth are your last set of molars and usually come in between ages 17 and 25. Not everyone has problems with their wisdom teeth, but they may cause tooth pain if they crowd or damage the other teeth. Impacted wisdom teeth (the molar remains partially under the gums or in the jawbone) increase the risk of infection and toothache.

Extraction is the primary treatment for bothersome wisdom teeth.

7. Sinus infection

If you have a headache and stuffy nose along with a toothache, then you may have a sinus infection. Most people get relief from their sinus infection tooth pain with over-the-counter medication. 

However, if your pain is severe or occurs with a fever, schedule an appointment with your regular doctor. You may need antibiotics to clear up the infection.

Regular visits to the dentist can prevent many toothaches. But when you have this type of pain, visiting the dentist right away may prevent complications that require extensive dental work.

We provide emergency dental care and always discuss treatments and costs so there are no surprises. Call our office today to schedule your emergency visit with our dentist. Or, click the online booking button for less urgent dental matters.