Many people associate toothache with cavities. This is hardly surprising as a considerable number of cases of toothache involve cavities and tooth decay, However, there are many other causes of toothache that your dentist will always be on the lookout for if you go with a toothache complaint. We detail some of those other causes here.
Loss of a Filling
This is a common cause of a toothache that takes many people to dental clinics. Fillings are applied in order to stop cavities from progressing and when in place, can provide adequate protection to the tooth. However, lack of proper oral hygiene can lead to food debris builds up in the space between the filling and the tooth. Eventually, the pressure from the debris forces the filling out. If this happens, a trip to the dentist should sort it out. The filling will be reapplied and this should be the end of the pain.
Abscess
An abscess is an inflammation that occurs along the gum line. This is caused by food debris that is pushed back into the gum through the action of chewing. When you have an abscess, you will notice swelling on the outer side of the gum and the area will be painful to touch. Sometimes, people have pus in those swellings. Flossing is a great way to guard against abscess because it removes food particles between teeth. If you already have one, seek treatment immediately to treat the inflammation and to prevent it from progressing to a serious problem.
Fractured Tooth
This happens when there is a crack on a tooth or part of the tooth has broken off. Pain in such cases comes when you bite into food or something else. There are various ways in which your dentist can treat this problem. If the tooth is severely damaged, your dentist might recommend using a crown or an implant if the damage is serious.
Grinding Teeth
Many people have a habit of grinding down on their teeth especially at night when they are asleep. This habit causes the outer covering of the teeth to wear out over time thus causing pain. In serious cases, this habit can cause a tooth to break off and leave someone in severe pain. Furthermore, teeth grinding often leads to other problems such as headaches, muscle pain especially in the face and a stiff jaw. There are many approaches to solving this problem and they range from using mouth guards to Botox injections. Botox relaxes the muscles and thus reduces the grinding.
TMJ Disorder
Temporal mandibular joint or TMJ joints are the hinges that connect the jaw to the skull. These joints help one to smile, chew and generally move the mouth. Sometimes, these joints become painful and lead to pain in the jaw that feels a lot like a toothache. A trained dentist will quickly diagnose TMJ disorder and proceed with the right treatment.
Regular exams with an experienced and professional dentist should help prevent and manage these problems. Looking for such a dentist in New York City? Dr. Alex Rubinov can help. Dr. Rubinov is a highly trained and licensed cosmetic dentist as well as a general orthodontist. Contact his practice at (718) 253-0800 for an appointment.