Common Reasons For A Toothache And How To Treat It

Whether it’s a short, sudden pain or a prolonged dull ache, ignoring a toothache is nearly impossible. Toothaches, sometimes referred to as tooth pain, can be caused by various issues and conditions.

In some cases, toothaches can resolve themselves, but often, the symptoms require professional dental help to find the root cause and fix it. The most common cause of a toothache is when the nerve in the root of a tooth or surrounding tooth is irritated.

Like most dental problems, the best cure is prevention. If you’re looking to avoid any nasty run-ins with tooth pain, make sure you stay on top of flossing, brushing, and regular dental check-ups.

Causes of a Toothache

Toothaches can be caused by various oral health conditions, illnesses, and even trauma. If you’re having trouble identifying the root cause of a toothache, we’ve listed the most common reasons for a toothache below.

Cavities/Tooth Decay

One of the most common causes of toothaches is a dental cavity. Cavities are usually caused by poor oral hygiene, like failure to brush or floss regularly. They are small holes in your teeth that can grow deeper and larger as time goes on.

Cavities can also form when an individual eats too much sugary food. The sugar mixes with saliva, feeding harmful bacteria that slowly eat away at their tooth. Cavities can lead to toothaches, but treatments and remedies exist for cavities and tooth decay.

Dental abscess

A dental abscess, also known as a tooth abscess, is a common cause of toothaches. A dental abscess is when pus forms and builds up within a tooth or in the gum. This typically happens due to a bacterial infection.

There are three types of dental abscesses: gingival, periodontal, and periapical. Along with tooth pain, other common symptoms include fever, foul taste in the mouth, insomnia, and difficulties opening the mouth.

If an individual has a dental abscess, it is recommended to see a dentist immediately. Home remedies aren’t effective for abscesses, and they require professional attention.

Gum Disease

Poor oral health, including gum disease, makes up for over 4% of non-fatal diseases impacting the Australian community based on stats from 2022. Gum disease is also one of the most common causes of tooth pain.

Gum disease, also referred to as gingivitis, usually results due to poor dental hygiene, which causes plaque to build up on the teeth. Over time, the plaque results in bacteria, causing your gums to become red, swollen, and even bleed. This can also result in tooth pain and even tooth loss if left untreated.

Injury/Trauma

A dental injury, like a broken tooth or a knocked-out tooth, can cause toothaches. If this happens to you, it’s important to make an appointment with your dentist immediately. Not only can an injury damage on tooth, but also the teeth surrounding it and affect the jaw.

Wisdom Teeth

If you’re experiencing toothaches in your upper back or bottom molar area, it’s possible it could be your wisdom teeth coming through. Not removing the wisdom teeth when ready to come out can cause damage to the surrounding teeth and jaw. It can also lead to severe tooth pain.

Sinus Infections

The myth that sinus infections can cause toothaches is true. Sinus infections, also known as sinusitis, can cause tooth pain due to the proximity of the sinuses to the upper teeth, especially the molars.

During a sinus infection, the sinus lining typically swells, which also leads to an increase in pressure. This pressure can also impact your teeth, which is what can cause tooth pain in some individuals.

Home Remedies To Ease Toothaches

Toothaches can be extremely uncomfortable, especially if you’ve been dealing with the pain for days and the heightened sensitivity. No one likes drinking a coffee or biting into a sandwich and being hit with a sharp pain.

When it comes to any sort of tooth pain, it’s always recommended to book an appointment with your dentist. Tooth pain can be a symptom of a larger problem. However, until you can see a dentist, you can try a few home remedies to ease the pain.

• Salt water acts as a natural disinfectant, and can help reduce inflammation and kill bacteria. So, if you’re suffering from tooth pain, try a salt water rinse to ease the symptoms.
• If you find that along with toothaches your gum is also swollen, a cold compress can help reduce swelling and numb the area. It’s a good option for temporary relief.
• A popular home remedy for toothaches is applying garlic paste on the affected area. Garlic has antimicrobial properties that can ease the pain.
• Applying thyme essential oils on the affected tooth/gum can help ease pain. Thyme, when diluted with a carrier oil, has strong antioxidant and antibacterial properties.

Dental Treatments For Toothaches

Various dental treatments exist for toothaches, aimed at addressing the root cause of pain. Below, we’ve listed the most common dental treatments. If you’re experiencing tooth pain, it’s important to discuss your symptoms with your dentist to access the appropriate treatment.

Dental fillings

This treatment is used for combating tooth decay/cavities. The dentist will remove infected parts of the tooth, and replace the cavity with a material like resin or porcelain.

Root canal treatment

This treatment is for severe infections and decaying teeth. Similarly to dental fillings, the doctor will extract the infected areas, and replace them with a biocompatible material, then seal it for added protection.

Tooth extraction

If the tooth can’t be saved or if it’s impacted, the dentist will remove the tooth from the socket. They will then replace the tooth with an artificial one.

Antibiotics

If the toothache is caused by a bacterial infection, antibiotics may be given for treatment. For example, antibiotics are used to treat abscesses.

Ease Your Toothache With Admire Dentistry

Ease your toothache and stay on top of your oral health with a comprehensive check-up and clean at Admire Dentistry. Our team is experienced in all facets of oral health and dentistry, including check-ups, restorative fillings, and tooth removal services.

The best cure for dental problems, including toothaches, is prevention, through regular dental appointments, flossing, and brushing. If you find you are having ongoing tooth pain, we also offer root canal therapy services for damaged or infected teeth.

Our root canal therapy (RCT) is for when a patient wishes to save a badly infected or damaged tooth. Whether the tooth is infected due to trauma, decay, wear and tear, gum disease, or another condition, root canal therapy may be able to save your natural tooth instead of opting for a replacement.

The Admire Dentistry team is passionate about oral health and understands the importance of good dentistry. Ease any toothaches and stay on top of your teeth and jaw health with us. Contact us today. We’d be happy to answer any queries and book you in for an appointment. 

Admire Dentistry has locations in Arana Hills and Samford Village. We also understand that visiting a dentist can be a daunting experience. That’s why our team strives to make our clinics as comfortable and welcoming as possible. If you require any accommodations beforehand, just let our team know.