Pain in your tooth can be excruciating enough to disrupt your everyday life. But you might notice that dental pain can vary in its intensity. Regardless of the degree of pain you feel, oral discomfort of any kind is abnormal and warrants an evaluation from your dentist.
Seek urgent care from your dentist for any oral pain. But you can have a better idea about your dental problems when you know more about your symptoms. Read on to learn about three different types of tooth pain you might feel and what they could mean for your oral health.
Constant, Dull Toothache
A persistent ache in your tooth may feel uncomfortable, even if it does not seem extreme. Because it seems tolerable, many people may think they can endure this discomfort. However, they should not disregard this symptom. It likely points to a problem in your smile.
Low-grade toothaches may develop for a few reasons, and you should talk to your dentist to pinpoint the cause. An acute factor, like an object stuck in your teeth, can create this tooth pain, for instance.
Chronic habits like bruxism during sleep may make you wake up in the morning with this type of toothache too. A dentist will determine the root cause to bring you relief from this pain.
Sharp, Intermittent Tooth Pain
Do you feel a sharp jolt of pain in your tooth when you bite down on an item? Does the pain fade soon after removing this stimulus? You might be suffering from tooth sensitivity in this case.
This type of tooth pain happens due to erosion or other damage to the tooth enamel. When this outer layer of the tooth wears down, it exposes underlying nerves. If a stimulus touches these nerves, they send signals of pain to the brain.
The pain stops when you remove the stimulus. But just because the pain is intermittent, it does not mean the problem is not serious. Enamel will not regrow once lost, meaning your tooth is vulnerable in this weakened state.
Many dental issues, including cavities, could contribute to tooth sensitivity. So you should consult with your dentist to find the cause of the pain and treat it as soon as you can.
Severe, Throbbing Oral Pain
Severe pain in the mouth may hurt so badly that you cannot complete your usual activities. Deep, pulsing pain in a tooth will usually require emergency dental treatment, so do not hesitate to call your dentist about this issue.
This level of tooth pain can happen if you contract an infection in the tooth pulp. You may need root canal therapy to treat this problem and stop the spread of infection.
Impact trauma or an ill-timed bite might break a tooth and also cause this intense pain. Not all fractured teeth have a visible injury, so you should contact your dentist to evaluate the problem if you suspect you cracked or chipped a tooth. You will need urgent restorative dental treatment to fix this issue.
Pain When Eating or Drinking Hot or Cold Foods
If you experience a sudden, sharp pain when eating or drinking something hot or cold, it could be a sign of tooth sensitivity or an underlying dental issue. This type of pain is often caused by:
- Exposed Tooth Roots: Receding gums can expose the sensitive roots of your teeth, making them more susceptible to temperature changes.
- Cavities: Decay can create small holes in your teeth, allowing hot or cold substances to reach the nerves inside.
- Cracked Teeth: Even small cracks in your teeth can let temperature changes affect the nerves, causing discomfort.
While using toothpaste for sensitive teeth can help temporarily, see your dentist to address the root cause. They may recommend fluoride applications, dental bonding, or a gum graft to protect your teeth and reduce sensitivity.
Pain That Radiates to Your Jaw, Ear, or Head
Sometimes, tooth pain isn’t confined to just one tooth. It can spread to your jaw, ear, or even your head. This type of radiating pain can be a sign of a more serious issue, such as:
- TMJ Disorders: Problems with the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) can cause pain that feels like it’s coming from your teeth. The TMJ connects your jaw to your skull.
- Sinus Infections: Your upper teeth are close to your sinuses, so a sinus infection can sometimes cause pressure and pain that feels like a toothache.
- Abscessed Tooth: An infection at the root of a tooth can cause pain that spreads to your jaw, ear, or head. This is a dental emergency and requires immediate treatment.
If you’re experiencing pain that seems to move or spread, don’t ignore it. Your dentist can help see if the issue is dental-related or if you need to see another specialist. Early diagnosis and treatment are key to preventing complications.