What’s Causing Your Toothache?

There are a lot of different kinds of pain associated with toothaches.  Pain can be constant or intermittent, sharp or throbbing, and can be accompanied by other symptoms or be completely in isolation.  Whatever your pain toothaches are always unpleasant and are generally caused by one of a handful of issues.

Tooth Decay

Your toothache may be a direct result of holes in your teeth – cavities – caused by an acidic degradation of enamel.  If you get a toothache after eating something hot, cold, or sweet, this may be the cause.  See if the hurting tooth is visible in a mirror and you may be able to spot the decay.

Infection
Learn more about root canal therapy.

One of the more painful forms of toothache is an infection between the gum and the tooth or right at the tooth’s root.  This is called an abscessed tooth and is the result of extreme tooth decay.  An abscessed tooth is often accompanied by other symptoms like pain when chewing, foul breath, gum swelling, fever, and many others. 

Gum Disease

Periodontitis – a more severe form of gingivitis – is caused when the inner layers of the gum pull away from the teeth and form spaces that can become infected by collected debris.  This can create pain which can lead to the feeling of a toothache.

Damage

Aches can be caused by injury to the teeth.  A fracture can create an issue in the nerve below the teeth causing severe pain.  Additionally a pre-existing filling may be damaged as well which can create issues of its own.

Other Causes

The other main cause for toothaches tends to be repetitive motions like grinding teeth or chewing gum.  This can create what feels like muscle pain when trying to move your jaw or bite down.  Also, you may feel a sharp tingling when drinking something too hot or too cold and that may be due to teeth sensitivity caused by some nerves being exposed at your gum line – switch to a toothpaste for sensitive teeth for some help with that.

Regardless of your type or cause of toothache there are some important things to keep in mind.  If your toothache is severe, lasts longer than 1 or 2 days, or is accompanied by a fever, earache, or pain when opening your mouth wide, see a dentist as soon as possible.  The toothache may be very serious and left unattended the cause could be detrimental to your health.  If you have a toothache and need a great dentist to take a look at it contact Pickering Square Dental today.  We’d be happy to help.

Helpful Resources

Oral Surgeon

For more information, visit the Canadian Dental Association Oral Health.

Schedule Your Appointment Today

Contact Pickering Square Dental to book your appointment with Dr. Marvin Lean. Call us at (905) 420-1777 or visit us at 1450 Kingston Rd, Unit #4, Pickering, ON.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should I visit the dentist?

The Canadian Dental Association recommends visiting your dentist at least twice a year for regular check-ups and cleanings. Some patients may need more frequent visits depending on their oral health needs. Call Pickering Square Dental at (905) 420-1777 to schedule your next appointment.

Do you accept the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP)?

Yes, Pickering Square Dental participates in the Canadian Dental Care Plan. Our team can help you understand your coverage and ensure you receive the dental care you need. Contact us for more details about CDCP eligibility and benefits.

What services does Pickering Square Dental offer?

We offer a full range of dental services including family dentistry, emergency dental care, sedation dentistry, dental implants, laser dentistry, teeth whitening, root canal therapy, dental extractions, periodontal care, and cosmetic dentistry. Dr. Lean and our team serve patients in Pickering, Ajax, Whitby, and Scarborough.

What is Periodontal Disease?

Periodontal disease, or periodontitis, is a serious gum disease that is caused by bacteria in the mouth and may result in eventual loss of teeth if not properly treated.  In fact, gum disease of this nature is the leading cause of tooth loss in adults.  In most cases periodontal disease is caused by an advancement from gingivitis where pockets form between the inner layer of the gum and the teeth.  These pockets accumulated debris and, in time, may become infected.  Eventually the pockets get deeper and more tissue is destroyed – a series of events which ends in tooth loss.

Symptoms

There are several symptoms that may imply you have periodontitis.  Gums that bleed during brushing or flossing is a major one as are receding, red, or tender gums.  If you notice the pockets between teeth and gum have formed that is a sure sign.  Other symptoms include persistent bad breath and changes in the way your teeth fit together when you bite down.

Causes

The most common cause, as stated above, is the plaque build-up that characterizes gingivitis but there are other factors in play as well.  Certain illnesses can play a part and people with diabetes especially are more prone to infection.  Hormonal changes like puberty or pregnancy can make gums more sensitive and certain medications may cause dry mouth which can aggravate the issue.  Additionally poor health habits like smoking or general lack of oral hygiene such as not brushing or flossing can make it easier for bacteria to take hold.

Treatment and Prevention

Once periodontal disease has taken hold treatments will need to be made by a dentist to reverse or repair any damage.  Professional dental cleaning will often stop the problem before it starts by removing plaque and tartar.  Root planing and scaling, which is a deep-cleaning technique will remove bacteria and smooth trouble spots.  Often the above are all that is necessary to prevent and treat periodontal disease however if the case is severe surgical interventions such as bone and tissue grafts may become necessary in order to retain your natural teeth.

Periodontal disease can be scary but if you take the right precautions you’re likely able to avoid it altogether.  Keep up good dental care habits and see your dentist regularly and you’ll be able to ensure you never have to deal with the unpleasantness of severe gum disease.  If you think you have periodontal disease and want an expert opinion contact us at Pickering Square Dental today.

Looking for professional help? Learn more about our periodontal care in Pickering at Pickering Square Dental or call (905) 420-1777 to book an appointment.

Helpful Resources

tooth extraction

For more information, visit the CDA Guide to Gum Disease.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should I visit the dentist?

The Canadian Dental Association recommends visiting your dentist at least twice a year for regular check-ups and cleanings. Some patients may need more frequent visits depending on their oral health needs. Call Pickering Square Dental at (905) 420-1777 to schedule your next appointment.

Do you accept the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP)?

Yes, Pickering Square Dental participates in the Canadian Dental Care Plan. Our team can help you understand your coverage and ensure you receive the dental care you need. Contact us for more details about CDCP eligibility and benefits.

What services does Pickering Square Dental offer?

We offer a full range of dental services including family dentistry, emergency dental care, sedation dentistry, dental implants, laser dentistry, teeth whitening, root canal therapy, dental extractions, periodontal care, and cosmetic dentistry. Dr. Lean and our team serve patients in Pickering, Ajax, Whitby, and Scarborough.