Toothaches tend to be frustrating, annoying, and downright inconvenient—in fact, they have a knack for occurring at some of the worst possible times! But when you’re dealing with tooth pain, it’s not something that you should needlessly endure or shrug off; what might start as a small ache can easily worsen into a serious problem if left unaddressed. Continue reading below to learn more about a few of the most common types of tooth pain and why it’s always in your best interest to seek emergency care when your smile needs it!
1. Dull, Lingering Ache
These types of toothaches tend to be the most prevalent, and there are all kinds of different causes for them, including food or debris being lodged in the teeth/gums, bruxism (teeth grinding), a cavity, or even an abscessed tooth. Pay attention to whether the pain is localized to just one tooth or is affecting multiple teeth—in the case of the former, it often means an infection is present.
2. Hypersensitivity
Teeth sensitivity is a common problem, but it can still be worrisome if it happens too frequently or for extended periods. The issue is often related to worn-down enamel, especially if the pain is mild and only lasts for a few moments. However, intense pain that lasts for 30 seconds or longer is often caused by something more serious, such as tooth decay, cracked teeth, exposed roots, or gum disease, all of which warrant professional care.
3. Sharp, Throbbing Pain
Sharp or jabbing pain almost always means you should see your dentist. This pain can be caused by a wide variety of issues, including cavities or decay, chips or fractures, or even a lost or damaged filling/crown. Regardless of the cause, your dentist should be able to quickly pinpoint the source of the problem and prescribe appropriate treatment and pain relief.
4. Severe Gum Pain
If your gums are sore, swollen, and inflamed, it might be a sign of gum disease. Localized swelling might be something as simple as a piece of food lodged between the teeth and gums, but serious, unyielding discomfort might warrant extensive treatment in order to prevent the disease from affecting the teeth.
5. Acute Jaw Pain
If your pain is more towards your jawline, it might be a sign of a TMJ (temporomandibular joint) issue such as bruxism, also known as teeth grinding. Since these issues tend to occur at nighttime when patients are asleep, they can be difficult to diagnose. Fortunately, special mouthguards can often be worn to prevent this grinding if it’s the source of the issue. In some cases, jaw pain might be tied to an ear infection.
Although all of these types of tooth pain vary in what causes them and their overall level of discomfort, they should all be treated by your dentist—your smile is simply too important to not look and feel its best!
About the Practice
At Dr. Costa & Dr. Waxman Family Dentistry, our team is thrilled to provide patients and families in the Worcester, MA community with high-quality dental care. We proudly offer a wide range of preventive, cosmetic, restorative and emergency dental services. If you have any questions about the blog, or you or someone you know is dealing with tooth pain, don’t hesitate to give us a call or visit us online for further information or assistance. Telephone: (508) 755-1980.