What is Causing My Tooth Pain?

Do you know why your tooth hurts? Your Finksburg, MD, same-day emergency dentists, Dr. Jan Katzen, Dr. Lisa Patel, and Dr. So Jung of Finksburg Dental Associates can determine the cause of your tooth pain and offer helpful treatments.

5 common causes of tooth pain

Tooth pain has a variety of causes. Fortunately, a visit to the Finksburg, MD, dental office can help you determine exactly why your tooth hurts. Common tooth pain causes include:
 

  • Tooth Decay: Pain in your tooth may be caused by a cavity. Usually, pain isn't a problem until a cavity is fairly large. Regular checkups and cleanings, in addition to good oral hygiene, can help you reduce your cavity risk. If you have a cavity, your dentist will replace the decayed part of your tooth with a filling.
  • Pulp Infection or Inflammation: Inflammation or infection deep inside your tooth may also cause tooth pain. If you have a fever, facial swelling, lymph node swelling, or pus on your gum, in addition to severe pain, you may have an abscess. The bacterial infection requires emergency medical treatment to prevent the infection from spreading to other parts of your body. Inflammation or infection is treated with root canal therapy, a procedure that involves removing your tooth pulp and replacing it with a rubber-based filling.
  • Gum Disease: A problem with your gums may actually be the source of your tooth pain. When your gums are inflamed and tender, chewing may cause pain that seems to come from your teeth. If you have gingivitis, the mildest form of gum disease, you may only need a thorough dental cleaning and better oral hygiene to relieve your pain and eliminate the disease. More advanced gum disease may require deep cleanings, surgery to reattach the gums to the teeth, or bone or tissue grafts.
  • Sinus Infection: Do you have a headache and sinus pressure in addition to tooth pain? A sinus infection may be to blame for your toothache. The roots of your upper teeth are very close to your sinuses. Inflammation in your sinuses can trigger pain that feels very much like a toothache. Treating your sinus infection will end your pain.
  • Tooth Sensitivity: Sensitive teeth tend to ache after eating or drinking hot, cold, or sugary foods and beverages. Receding gums due to gum disease, cracks in teeth, or thinning enamel that exposes the more sensitive dentin layer of the teeth may be the cause of the pain. Treating gum disease, covering a cracked tooth with a dental crown or bonding, or applying a desensitizing agent to a sensitive tooth can be helpful.

Does your tooth hurt? Call your same-day emergency dentists in Finksburg, MD, Dr. Katzen, Dr. Patel, and Dr. Jung of Finksburg Dental Associates, at (410) 861-8900 to schedule your appointment.



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