Why Does My Tooth Hurt? | West Orange, NJ

Tooth pain can be a sign of several types of dental problems. You may need to visit your dentist to determine the underlying cause and treat the issue.

In this post, the team at Northfield Dental Group discusses some potential reasons why your tooth hurts.

Bruxism

Bruxism is the technical term for grinding your teeth. Some people aren’t even aware that they grind their teeth because they do so while sleeping.

If you consistently grind your teeth, it can damage your enamel and lead to tooth pain. It may also lead to temporomandibular joint dysfunction, which can cause headaches and jaw pain.

Your dentist may provide you with a mouth guard you can wear at night to protect your teeth from further damage caused by bruxism.

Gum Problems

Gum disease or a gum infection can cause tooth pain. Gum disease is very common and many people don’t realize they have it.

Your gums can also recede if you brush too hard, which can lead to tooth sensitivity. Gum problems can be detected and treated by your dentist during a routine dental checkup.

Tooth Decay

You typically won’t experience tooth sensitivity from a cavity until it reaches the dentin in the middle of the tooth. At this point, you may start to experience sensitivity, particularly if you are eating cold foods or touching the affected tooth. The solution for tooth decay will depend on the extent of damage, which your dentist can determine during a dental exam.

Tooth Damage

If you have a cracked or damaged tooth, the tooth’s dentin may be exposed. You could also experience pain whenever you bite down in that part of your mouth.

Tooth damage can be caused by trauma, biting down on a hard object, or bruxism. A deep crack can also increase your risk of an infection.

Your dentist will have to pay careful attention to a cracked tooth. In some cases, a cracked or damaged tooth can be repaired with a dental filling or crown. Or, you may need to remove the tooth and replace it with a dental implant in order to eliminate the pain.