Common Causes
What’s Causing My Sore Tongue?
- Trauma. Biting down hard on your tongue can be extremely painful. ...
- Inflammation. You may develop what are called enlarged papillae on your tongue. ...
- Mouth ulcers. Your tongue pain may be focused around a specific spot. ...
- Food sensitivity or allergy. ...
- Smoking. ...
- Vitamin deficiency and anemia. ...
- Burning mouth syndrome. ...
- Neuralgia. ...
- Lichen planus. ...
- Behcet’s disease. ...
Related Conditions
Six Causes of Pain After a Root Canal
- Six Causes of Pain After a Root Canal. After incessant tooth pain brings you to the dentist, you learn the cause of your discomfort: you have a badly damaged or ...
- Infection in the Bone. ...
- Infected Root Canal. ...
- Cement or Air Forced Through the Root Tip. ...
- Oversized Filling or Crown. ...
- Sodium Hypochlorite Leak. ...
- Missed Canal. ...
Why does my tooth hurt when I eat certain foods?
To avoid this painful unpleasantness, Lee says looking after your teeth is key. Cut down — or eliminate — sweet foods and drinks from your diet, brush your teeth twice daily, use dental floss, visit your dentist at least once a year, save your gums by not smoking and use a night guard if you grind your teeth in your sleep.
Why does my tooth still hurt after a root canal?
- Temporomandibular Disorders: Temporomandibular disorders (TMD) cause pain in the jaw. ...
- Mouth Cancer: Mouth cancer can cause numbness or pain in any part of the face, neck, or mouth. ...
- Malocclusion: Malocclusion is the technical term for crooked teeth or an uneven bite. ...
What to do when your teeth hurt?
Why do my teeth hurt so bad?
What is tooth ache?
Diagnosis. Treatment. Prevention. A toothache—described as any pain, soreness, or ache in or around a tooth—can be a frustrating and unpleasant experience. In addition to a sharp or dull pain, your tooth may be sensitive to temperature or painful when chewing or biting. In order to get to the bottom of your tooth pain, ...
What causes a toothache?
Causes. Among all the things that might cause a toothache, the most common are tooth decay, inflammation of the tooth pulp, an abscess, a cracked or impacted tooth, gum disease, and sensitive teeth. 1 .
Why do my teeth crack?
In addition, the force from biting down on a hard object like ice or a popcorn kernel can sometimes cause a tooth to crack. Severe bruxism may also damage and crack teeth.
What is the term for the erosion of the outer surface of a tooth?
Tooth decay refers to erosion and cavity formation in the outer surface ( enamel) of the tooth. When plaque—a sticky layer of bacteria—forms on the tooth enamel, it feeds on the sugars and starches from food particles in your mouth. This produces an acid that eats away at the enamel, causing weak areas and holes.
How to get rid of sensitivity in teeth?
Using a tongue depressor, your doctor may "percuss" or tap teeth within the area of identified pain and/or apply an ice cube or blow cold air on different areas of the tooth to figure out where the sensitivity is coming from.
What is gum disease?
Gum disease is characterized by infection of the gums. More specifically, with gingivitis, the gums become inflamed and become hot, red, and swollen. When an infection occurs in the gums, periodontitis occurs. 2
What is the best pain reliever for dental pain?
For pain relief, your dentist may recommend taking Tylenol (acetaminophen) or a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID). For severe pain, your doctor may prescribe an opioid. 14 Local nerve block injections may also be given for severe pain or during a dental procedure.
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.
Why do I feel a sensitivity to eating?
This kind of sensitivity can be caused by eating a highly acidic diet, brushing your teeth too hard, and other factors. As a result, the enamel that coats and protects your teeth begins to wear away and is not replaced.
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.
What causes a tooth abscess?
This is what happens when you ignore minor dental concerns. Eventually, severe cavities, tooth decay and gum problems can cause a dental abscess. An abscess is a pus build-up inside a damaged tooth or along the gums.
Can you prevent cavities with regular brushing?
Cavities are highly preventable with regular brushing and flossing. But for a lot of people, it takes a cavity to start taking oral hygiene and dental care seriously; at worst, it takes the onset of tooth decay.
Can wisdom teeth grow in?
There’s no dental problem that concerns adults more than the eruption of wisdom teeth. While some people don’t experience any pain and don’t even notice their wisdom teeth growing in, others aren’t so lucky. This is due to the alignment of wisdom teeth which varies among everyone.
How to treat a tooth ache?
How to treat it: You may have to wait out the sinus to get rid of the tooth achiness. “Instead of dental treatment, one would need medication like a decongestant and possible antibiotic prescribed by their family physician,” says Dr. Handschuh. 8. You grind or clench your teeth while you sleep.
Why is my tooth cracking?
This can be caused by a number of things, including biting into something hard that causes the tooth to crack, an injury from something outside the mouth, like falling or an accident, or even tooth clenching and grinding.
Why do my teeth hurt when I eat ice cream?
“This is most commonly caused by enamel that is worn very thin or completely worn through, which is due to wear from teeth grinding and acid erosion caused by acidic foods or GI issues such as acid reflux or frequent vomiting,” explains Dr. Martinez-Barron.
What is the best treatment for tooth sensitivity?
Other, more cost-effective remedies include custom-made or over-the-counter mouth guards, physical therapy, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen or naproxen, muscle relaxers, or even a heating pad. 3. You recently had your teeth whitened.
What is TMD in dentistry?
You’re experiencing TMD (temporomandibular disorder). Commonly referred to as TMJ, which actually refers to the affected temporomandibular joint, TMD can be pretty mysterious as the cause isn't always apparent, says Dr. Martinez-Barron. “TMD can be caused by injury to the jaw, such as a blow,” she explains.
What to do if you have a dead tooth?
How to treat it: “A root canal and crown is typically the treatment recommended for a dead tooth, and, if the tooth needed to be removed, implanting a bridge or removable appliance such as a partial denture would be the next step,” she says. 7. You have a nasty sinus infection.
How many people have periodontitis?
If you’ve been told that you have periodontal (gum) disease, you’re far from alone. In fact, nearly half of the U.S. adult population 30 and older has mild, moderate, or severe periodontitis, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
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.
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.
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.
Why do my teeth hurt?
Sometimes, tooth pain is simply a result of genetics. Some people have sensitive teeth. If there are no signs of infection or decay, but the teeth are still sensitive to changes in temperature and cold air, this may be the problem.
What does it mean when your tooth hurts?
1. Tooth Pain That Comes and Goes in Waves. This is a tooth pain that is less of an ache and more of an irregular jabbing or stabbing sensation within one or several teeth. Usually, you’ll feel this when you move your mouth. Chewing, talking, and opening your mouth can trigger this kind of tooth pain.
Why do my teeth have pockets?
It’s an infection of the gum tissue that surrounds and secures your teeth. This infection can cause the gums to lose their grip on the teeth and recede, which results in gaps and pockets. These pockets then fill with bacteria and leave the tooth roots vulnerable to decay.
What is the term for a cavity?
Tooth Decay. Tooth decay is just another word for a cavity. Cavities form when you allow plaque (bacteria) to eat your enamel away. It’s a permanent damage to the outer layer of your tooth, so a dentist is the only one that can fix it. The more the cavity spreads, the more painful it can become.
What to do if you have a toothache?
They’re the only ones qualified to diagnose what the actual problem is. Taking painkillers for a too thache may stop the pain temporarily, but it’s a weak fix at best. You need to treat the underlying issue that’s causing the pain fast.
What is Pulpitis in dentistry?
Inflammation of the Pulp. This condition is commonly referred to as ‘pulpitis.’. It occurs when the tissue in the middle of a tooth becomes irritated and inflamed. This irritation leads to an accumulation of pressure inside the tooth and puts a strain on the gums and surrounding tissue.
Can you avoid tooth pain?
With proper oral hygiene and a regular dental cleaning routine you should be able to avoid most kinds of toothaches. But, if you’re experiencing a pain in the tooth, it’s useful to understand what it could mean. Here’s how you can self-diagnose your tooth pain to explain to your dentist what you’re feeling.