Are Your Teeth Hurting? It's Not Always a Cavity

Tooth pain is not always caused by cavities. In fact, cavities generally do not cause tooth pain unless they are left untreated, in which case you may require a root canal. If you are experiencing any form of tooth pain, you should consult with your dentist who can identify the actual cause of your tooth discomfort.

Bruxism

Grinding one's teeth on an occasional basis usually will not cause any dental problems. However, frequent tooth grinding, or bruxism, can cause significant damage to your teeth. You may be unaware that you grind your teeth if it only occurs while you are asleep, but it can leave you with sore gums and tooth and jaw pain. If bruxism is not treated, it can result in tooth fractures, the wearing down of your teeth and tooth loss.

Cracked Tooth

A crack in a tooth generally runs from the top to the bottom of the tooth and may resemble a tiny hairline fracture. It can result from chewing on hard objects, mouth trauma or a loss of tooth mass from tooth decay. Typical symptoms of a cracked tooth can include a sharp, throbbing pain whenever you bite down on your food and being able to chew without pain on only one side of your mouth. Without prompt dental treatment, the crack can deepen and cause infection, inflammation or death of the tooth.

Tooth Sensitivity

If you feel sharp pains when consuming hot or cold food and drinks, it could be an indication of sensitive teeth. Teeth sensitivity can be caused by the wearing away of your tooth enamel or by a receding gumline.

Tooth Abscess

An abscessed tooth will cause a continuous and throbbing pain in your tooth and should be treated immediately. It is an infection that is located either between the gums and the tooth or at the root of the tooth. If it's not treated, the abscess can easily spread.

Tailored Dental Care

It is important that your teeth are cleaned regularly and are examined by a dentist who can check for cavities or any other dental issue that may have emerged. The staff at Great Lakes Dental Arts can provide you with the personalized dental services you may need to achieve optimum dental health and your best smile. Don't hesitate to contact us to schedule an appointment.