Why Do Your Teeth Hurt? Toothache is hard to ignore. Toothache occurs when the nerves in the roots of the teeth or around the teeth become irritated. Tooth infection, tooth decay, injury, or loss are the most common causes of toothache. Pain can also occur after an extraction (when a tooth is removed). Sometimes the pain comes from another area and radiates to the jaw, making it appear like toothache. The most common areas include the jaw joint (temporomandibular joint, or TMJ), ear, and sinus.
Bacteria that grow in your mouth can also cause gum disease and tooth decay, both of which can cause pain. Often, gum disease does not cause pain. You can prevent most dental problems by flossing, brushing with fluoride toothpaste, and having your teeth cleaned professionally twice a year. The dentist may use a sealing agent and fluoride, which is especially important for children’s teeth. What is the most common causes of dental pain?
Your Gums Are Starting to Give
When the gums recede, the protective layer of the tooth’s nerves will be pulled back and cause pain. This could be a sign of gum disease, so make sure your dentist knows if the pain you’re experiencing is caused by your teeth looking longer, or if you have pus, mouth ulcers, bad breath, or bleeding when you brush your teeth.
You Don’t Drink Enough Water
Not only does water wash away food debris in your mouth after you eat, depending on where you get the water, it also contains fluoride, which keeps teeth strong and healthy. If you don’t drink enough water, you can have dental problems.
You Make a Clench Often
Do you clench your jaw when you’re angry, tense, or concentrating? Your teeth take the brunt of the stress. They can hurt or fall off as time goes by.
Your Daily Grind
Sometimes even when you’re not feeling stressed, you may clench and grind your teeth while sleeping. This can happen if you experience sleep disturbances, your bite is not right, or your teeth are missing. Consult your dentist to see if a night guard can help you prevent damage while you dream.
You Push Your Body
Studies of triathletes suggest that resistance training can further damage your tooth enamel. The more intense their exercise schedule, the greater their chances of developing cavities. Scientists don’t know exactly what causes it, but they think it may have something to do with how exercise changes the amount of saliva in the human mouth.
You Rinse Your Mouth Excessively
Gargling with mouthwash several times a day can provide a thorough cleaning of your teeth. However, this also has a downside: teeth become sensitive. Some mouthwashes contain acid which can damage dentin, the middle layer of teeth.
Your Jaw Is Jammed
Your temporomandibular joint (TMJ) links your lower jaw to your skull. When any part of your TMJ doesn’t work due to injury, arthritis, or something else, it can cause a whole host of symptoms, including pain when you chew and in your jaw.
Nerve Damage
It’s not common, but a condition called trigeminal neuralgia could be at the root of your dental problem. It causes chronic nervous pain in one of the nerves in your head. The pain is often caused by brushing your teeth, eating, and drinking.
Your Diet is Too Acidic
High-acid foods erode enamel and leave your teeth less protected. The main culprits include sugar candy, coffee, citrus fruits — such as lemons, oranges, and grapefruit — and soda.
You’ve Brightened Your Teeth
Dealing with dirty teeth with bleaching? Your teeth whitener may be the cause of throbbing teeth. Sensitivity may begin 2–3 days after treatment but may disappear after a few more days. Your gums can also feel irritated when you whiten.
