You are aware that tooth pain can be excruciating, whether it is a persistent toothache or a sudden, intense agony. It’s critical to comprehend the source of the discomfort and how to find relief. A variety of factors can cause toothaches; some are treatable at home, while others need to be seen by a dentist. What you need to know about the most typical toothache reasons and how to relieve them is as follows:
1. Tooth Decay
The most frequent reason for pain that travels to the face is tooth decay. When bacteria in dental plaque devour sugars and make acid, it dissolves tooth enamel and causes tooth decay. The hard outer covering of your teeth, called tooth enamel, shields them from harm and maintains their strength until you’re ready to lose them due to gum disease, also known as periodontitis or aging. This process can lead to a cavity if left untreated. When food gets trapped between two damaged parts of your mouth’s soft tissues, it can cause pain and swelling. If you don’t get a cavity filled in time, it can potentially get infected! As a result, it’s critical to schedule routine dental appointments.
2. Gum Disease
Gum disease, also known as periodontal disease, is a dangerous ailment that, if ignored, can result in tooth loss. Bacteria that accumulate and damage the gums around your teeth are the cause.
Gum disease symptoms include the following:
- Bleeding gums during tooth brushing or flossing
- Discomfort while talking with your mouth open or chewing
- Swollen, red, easily-bleeding gums
3. Inflamed Gums
One of the most typical reasons for toothache is inflamed gums. They may appear if you damage your gums or if bacteria accumulate in your mouth.
The symptoms of inflamed gums include redness, swelling, and tenderness. Additionally, you may discover that cleaning your teeth induces bleeding from gingivitis or irritated gums. This can cause more significant issues like periodontitis (gum disease) if left untreated.
4. Impacted Wisdom Teeth
Toothaches most often result from impacted wisdom teeth. They may grow in the incorrect direction or at an angle, which makes it challenging for them to fit inside your mouth. This is known as impaction, and if you don’t have them removed, it can hurt and become infected.
The effects could range from minor to severe:
Mild: The wisdom tooth stays buried in the bone beneath it and only partially emerges through the gum tissue, which is the soft tissue that surrounds your teeth. These four third molars sit snugly between two upper bicuspids (two front middle incisors) on one side and two lower bicuspids (two front lower incisors) on the other, forming four quadrants total within each jawbone structure that holds eight total third molars total per individual human being – four per side equaling 16 total throughout both jaws combined! This type of impaction is common during adolescence or early adulthood when jaws are still growing and developing their adult shape and size as well as alignment with neighboring teeth on either side of each jawbone!
5. Abscesses and Cysts
A pocket of pus that develops around a tooth’s root is called an abscess. In addition to being uncomfortable, it can cause additional issues, including an infection or even the loss of jawbone if treatment is not received.
A fluid-filled sac that develops inside your mouth is called a cyst. The most prevalent kind of cyst is known as an odontogenic keratocyst, and it typically develops in the bone next to your wisdom teeth, which are typically extracted as adults. This kind of cyst can cause pain in addition to swelling around your cheeks and jawline if it gets infected or irritated.
When facial discomfort coexists with a toothache, it’s critical to determine the root of the issue. Gum disease and cavities are two examples of the many disorders that can cause toothache. For a diagnosis and possible course of therapy, it could occasionally be essential to consult an oral health specialist.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my tooth pain radiate to my face?
Seeking medical attention as soon as possible is essential if the pain is spreading across your face. Seeking medical attention is necessary if over-the-counter pain relievers are inadequate in controlling discomfort, if severe pain persists for more than two days following tooth extraction, or if pain is accompanied by discharge surrounding one or more teeth.
Why does my tooth hurt up into my cheek?
Bacteria can bring on an abscess in your tooth in your mouth from poor dental hygiene. If you don’t treat this infection, it can spread to your cheeks and surrounding tissue, in addition to affecting your teeth, gums, and bones.
What causes radiating tooth pain?
If left untreated, cavities have the potential to enlarge and spread into the tooth’s deeper tissues, maybe even reaching the pulp or nerve. This may result in pain that travels up the jaw or to other teeth. A dental abscess can occasionally arise from a cavity in the teeth.