Common Causes
What to Know and Do About Molar Tooth Pain
- About your molars. You have different sets of molars when you’re growing up. ...
- Molar pain symptoms. Molar pain can include pain isolated to a single molar or pain that surrounds one or more of your molars.
- Causes of molar teeth pain. ...
- Tips to manage molar pain symptoms. ...
- Prevention tips. ...
- The takeaway. ...
Related Conditions
Tooth Infection. Infection can be a cause of molar tooth pain. Infections usually start around a single tooth. If left untreated, the infection can spread to the surrounding teeth, and even to parts of the airway, which can cause sinusitis.
What to know and do about molar tooth pain?
- Rinse mouth with warm water.
- If possible, reinsert permanent teeth into the correct sockets and have the person bite on a gauze pad to hold teeth in place.
- If you can't reinsert permanent teeth, or for baby teeth or teeth fragments, store them in whole milk or between your cheek and gum to prevent drying.
What causes pain in molar teeth?
Your teeth can hurt when you eat sweets such as:
- Hard candies. Candies that you suck can prove to be damaging for your teeth. ...
- Gummy or sticky sweets. Dried fruit, gummy bears, and honey glue to your teeth, which gives plenty of time for bacteria to grow.
- Carbonated beverages. These drinks have a high amount of sugar and are acidic in nature.
- Orange juice. ...
What to do if your molar tooth breaks?
Why do my molars hurt when eating?
How do you stop a molar tooth from hurting?
Home remediesNumbing gel. A numbing dental gel may help reduce feeling in the gums and dull the pain. ... Ibuprofen. Ibuprofen is an over-the-counter pain relief medication that helps reduce inflammation. ... Ice pack. ... Salt water rinse. ... Cloves. ... Onion. ... Tea bags.
Why do my back teeth hurt?
When gums recede, they pull back the protective layer over your teeth's nerves and leave them aching. It can be a sign of gum disease, so be sure your dentist knows if your pain comes with teeth that look longer, or if you have pus, mouth sores, bad breath, or bleeding when you brush.
Will Covid make your teeth hurt?
Some people have developed toothaches, dental pain, and even bad breath after contracting COVID-19. These symptoms can be a sign that an infection has developed or is developing in the mouth. Covid teeth pain is one of the first signs people experience.
Can tooth pain go away on its own?
Can my toothache go away on its own? Some toothaches that come from pain around (but not inside) your tooth can get better without a trip to the dentist. Pain from a temporary irritation (redness) in the gum can be resolved within a few days. During this time try not to chew around the affected area.
Why do my upper molars hurt?
The upper molars are most likely to hurt since they are located close to the sinuses. Unlike other causes of tooth pain, which are restricted to the tooth affected by a particular process like a cavity, the pain associated with sinusitis will be felt in multiple teeth.
How to treat molar pain?
A few home treatments can help with molar tooth pain, such as the following. Toothpaste for sensitivity: If you experience molar tooth pain with brushing or with hot and cold foods, try using a toothpaste formulated for sensitivity. Ice or a compress: Try placing a cold compress on your cheek over the affected tooth.
Why does my wisdom tooth hurt?
Infection. Molar tooth pain can also be caused by infections. Local infection: Inflammation of the gum over a wisdom tooth or the pulp of a tooth can progress to a bacterial infection. Spreading infection: Without proper treatment, a local infection can spread, causing extensive swelling and pain.
What is the pain of a tooth abscess?
It is due to bacterial infection. Top Symptoms: severe jaw or tooth pain, swollen jaw, jaw stiffness, tooth pain that gets worse with hot, cold, or sweet beverages, warm and red jaw swelling.
What causes TMJ pain on one side of face?
Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction is often caused by a variety of factors, including daily habits, your teeth alignment, and even stress. It usually affects one side of the jaw, but in some people it can affect both sides. People with TMJ dysfunction will typically experience pain on one side of the face that is worse with chewing, yawning, or other movements of the jaw. With some simple changes in your daily habits and other at-home treatments, most people with TMJ dysfunction will experience relief of their symptoms within weeks.
Why do molar teeth crack?
Molar teeth are particularly prone to cavities because their location in the back of the mouth makes them difficult to clean effectively. Fracture: An acute injury, biting down on hard foods, or gradual damage over time can cause a crack to develop. This results in pain if the crack extends deep into the tooth.
What happens if you have a tooth infection?
In the most severe case where a tooth infection spreads through the mouth, fever, difficulty opening the mouth, and difficulty breathing will occur, requiring emergency treatment.
What causes sharp pain when you bite down?
Maybe you bit down on a cherry pit or were hit in the face during softball. A cavity or a crack can cause sharp pain along with sensitivity when you bite down.
Why are my teeth sensitive after teeth whitening?
Gum disease also can make your teeth sensitive. Your gums shrink away from your teeth and that exposes the roots. You also can damage your gums if you brush too hard. A recent cleaning or a new filling may make you sensitive for a few weeks. Many people feel it after whitening treatments.
Can a tooth crack cause a tooth to be infected?
If it's deep enough, a cavity or crack can let bacteria into the inner layer, called pulp, of your tooth. The pulp can become infected , and that can lead to a buildup of pus called an abscess. The infection can spread to tissue and bone, too.
Can a heart attack cause tooth pain?
Clogged or infected sinuses. Problems in the joint or muscles that connect your jaw to your skull. In rare cases, a heart attack can cause tooth pain. It's also a symptom of certain nerve diseases.
Can you grind your teeth to sleep?
Don't put off a trip to the dentist if your teeth hurt. Cavities and cracks get worse over time. If you grind your teeth, your dentist can make a bite guard for you to sleep in. You can manage some problems yourself. Special toothpastes can reduce sensitivity.
What happens if you eat a tooth?
In many cases, a piece of food or a buildup of plaque can get caught underneath the small flap of the gum around the tooth. Eventually, the gum will become irritated, leading to pericoronitis. If the condition becomes severe, the swelling may spread into the jaw, neck, and cheeks.
What to do if your tooth is swollen?
However, if the area around the tooth, as well as your cheek and jaw become swollen or very painful, you need to see your dentist as soon as possible. The infection can be treated with antibiotics, and a prescription pain reliever may be recommended as well.
Why do my teeth hurt when I get a tooth?
1. Exposure to extreme heat or cold. Tooth sensitivity is caused by worn tooth enamel or exposed nerves in your teeth.
What causes pain in the back of your tooth?
Once the decay begins to progress toward an infection, you may start experiencing pain in your tooth. 5. Gum infection. Gum disease, also called periodontal disease, affects more than 47 percent of adults over the age of 30. Trusted Source.
Why do teeth get pink?
2. Gum recession. Gums are the layer of pink tissue that cover bone and surround the root of the tooth to help protect the nerve endings of your teeth. As you age, gum tissue often begins to wear , causing gum recession. This recession leaves the roots of your teeth exposed, as well as leaving you more vulnerable to gum disease and tooth infections.
What to do if you have a toothache?
Dental procedures. Teeth bleaching. See a doctor. Takeaway. If you feel a flash of pain in your gums or a sudden toothache, you’re not alone. A survey by the American Family Physician revealed that 22 percent of adults have experienced pain in their teeth, gums, or jaw within the last six months.
What to do if you have hypersensitive teeth?
If you’ve developed hypersensitive teeth seemingly overnight, you should speak with your dentist. While it’s not usually considered a dental emergency, teeth that are causing you pain should be examined by a dentist to rule out some of the more serious causes. Last medically reviewed on May 23, 2019.
How long does a toothache last?
See your dentist right away, or contact another health professional, if you experience the following: toothache that lasts for more than 48 hours. throbbing or sharp, aching pain that doesn’t subside. migraine or thunderclap headache that extends to your teeth.
Can a cracked crown cause tooth pain?
Cracked tooth or crown. You may not be surprised to learn that a cracked tooth or crown can cause tooth pain and sensitivity. But there are cases when you may have a tooth cracked ever so slightly, so that it causes pain but is nearly impossible to see. 7. Sinus infection.
Why does my jaw hurt when I chew?
Your temporomandibular joint (TMJ) connects your lower jaw to your skull. When any part of your TMJ isn’t working because of injury, arthritis, or something else, it can cause a whole host of symptoms, including pain when you chew and in your jaw.
Why do my teeth ache when I brush?
When gums recede, they pull back the protective layer over your teeth’s nerves and leave them aching. It can be a sign of gum disease, so be sure your dentist knows if your pain comes with teeth that look longer, or if you have pus, mouth sores, bad breath, or bleeding when you brush.
What causes pain in the head when brushing teeth?
Nerve Damage. 8 / 16. It’s not common, but a condition called trigeminal neuralgia could be at the root of your tooth problem. It causes chronic nerve pain in one of the nerves in your head. The pain is often brought on by brushing your teeth, eating, and drinking. Swipe to advance.
How long does it take for a dingy tooth to go away after bleaching?
Dealing with dingy teeth by bleaching? Your whitener may be to blame for throbbing teeth. Sensitivity can start 2-3 days into treatment but can go away after a few more. Your gums can feel irritated as you whiten, too.
What happens if you brush your teeth while pregnant?
6 / 16. Pregnancy may have you seeing more “pink in the sink,” or blood when you brush. You’re more likely to deal with gingivitis when you’ve got a baby on the way. You also have a higher chance of cavities, so schedule some extra checkups with your dentist while you wait for delivery day. Swipe to advance.
Why do I grind my teeth when I sleep?
Your Daily Grind. Sometimes even when you don’t feel stressed, you might clench and grind your teeth while you sleep. It can happen when you have a sleep disorder, your bite doesn’t line up correctly, or you’re missing teeth. Ask your dentist if a night guard can help you prevent damage while you dream.
Can you overdo oral rinses?
You Overdo Oral Rinses. 3 / 16. Swishing with mouthwash multiple times a day may give you a deep clean. But it can come with a downside: sensitive teeth. Some rinses have acids that can damage your dentin, the middle layer of your teeth. Swipe to advance.
What does it mean when your tooth hurts when you bite it?
Affordable dental care. Takeaway. If you’re noticing pain in a tooth when you bite down or when you touch the tooth, it could be a sign that something’s wrong. You may need treatment to alleviate the pain and possibly address underlying causes.
Why do my teeth ache?
Nasal or sinus congestion. The roots of your upper teeth are very close to your sinuses, so any extra pressure, congestion, or an infection in that area might be responsible, especially if several of your teeth ache rather than just one.
How do you know if you have a cracked tooth?
Other symptoms of a cracked tooth include a sensation that feels like something’s caught between your teeth (even if it isn’t), and pain when eating and drinking. But some people don’t experience any symptoms at all.
Why do my gums pull back?
When your gums begin to pull back from your teeth, they expose more of the tooth surface and can even leave part of the root exposed. This can make your tooth very sensitive and even painful to touch. It’s more common in adults over 40.
What to do if you have recessive gums?
If so, you may need to take an antibiotic, use an antibiotic mouthwash or apply an antibiotic gel on your gums. In severe cases, your dentist may recommend flap surgery or graft some tissue to help the gums regrow.
How to get emergency dental care?
Where to find affordable emergency dental care 1 Dental schools. Dental and dental hygiene schools offer services for a reduced price. But you may need to ask in advance if they provide emergency dental care. 2 Community health centers. You can get free or reduced-cost dental care at a community center funded through the Health Resources and Services Administration’s Bureau of Primary Health Care. 3 Medicaid. Adults who are enrolled in Medicaid, which is a state-run healthcare program for people living on a low income, can usually access emergency dental services. But more comprehensive services vary from state to state and may be limited, depending on where you live. 4 Medicare. If you qualify for this federal program that covers adults over 65, you may be able to access certain kinds of emergency dental care. 5 Veterans Affairs dental insurance program (VADIP). Veterans can apply for dental coverage benefits through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). You might also seek out a local VA dental clinic for emergency care.
What is it called when your teeth don't fit together?
Malo cclusion. The way your teeth meet when your jaws come together is called occlusion . When your teeth don’t fit together quite right, they can get worn or cause pain in your teeth when you bite, or even cause pain in your jaw. This is called malocclusi on.
Cavities and Traveling Tooth Pain
When a person eats and fails to clean their teeth, especially foods high in sugar, it provides the perfect breading ground for bacteria. Bacteria that live in the mouth digest these foods and turn them into acids. The bacteria, acid, saliva, and food particles combine to form a sticky film known as plaque, which stays on the teeth.
Tooth Abscess and Migrating Tooth Pain
The bacterial infection known as tooth abscess happens when pus secretes at a part of the tooth, and this can cause migrating tooth pain. A tooth abscess results from an untreated cavity, an injury, or shoddy dental work.
Can a Toothache Move to Other Teeth?
When a person experiences a cavity, it can extend into the structure of the tooth, such as the pulp or nerve, if left untreated. While it is often that tooth experiencing the pain, it can radiate to surrounding teeth as well.
Can an Infection Move from One Tooth to Another?
Bacteria are always looking for the right conditions to thrive. So, if one tooth suffers from decay, it may spread to the surrounding teeth if they have cavities.
What are the Symptoms of a Spreading Tooth Infection?
A tooth infection can spread to other parts of the body, including the jaw, face, nose, and neck. Some of the symptoms are:
Top and Bottom Teeth Hurting on the Right Side
When the top and bottom teeth hurt on one side, there is a tendency to think that a single factor caused the pain. However, tooth infections don’t spread easily. If left untreated, bacteria enter through the cavity or crack in the tooth and eventually down to the root.
Upper Tooth Pain Radiating to Lower Jaw
Upper toothache pain can radiate to the lower jaw. Additionally, as the Mayo Clinic notes, a person with tooth abscess can experience pain in the lower jaw, neck, or radiating out to the ears.