Body pain is irritating and distracting. It can make it hard to move around and carry out everyday responsibilities. But pain is common among a lot of people. It includes a toothache, which can drive you up the wall. Toothaches can be dull or sharp pain or a sudden tooth sensitivity to touch or temperature. Sadly, they have severe consequences on your health. Whenever you have a toothache, you want the most effective solution to it as quickly as possible. But before it develops, it’s best to avoid having it. To know how to prevent a toothache from developing, you must know what causes it. A dentist in Aliso Viejo, CA can address the underlying issue, so you can leave their office pain-free.
Common Causes of Toothaches
Several contributing factors can create the pain you feel in your mouth. Understand the causes of toothache to avoid developing it. These include the following:
- Exposed dentin. Dentin is located underneath your tooth enamel and cementum. This sensitive tissue is protected by the enamel, which is the hard layer around the tooth. But dentin can be exposed when your enamel wears away, resulting in extreme sensitivity. Such sensitivity might result in pain whenever you consume anything hot or cold. Worn-down dental fillings and cavities can expose dentin.
- Gingivitis. This gum disease results from mouth bacteria. It causes your gum to be inflamed, swollen, and hot. In more serious cases, your gums can deteriorate or detach from your teeth, exposing the roots of your teeth to bacteria and making them vulnerable to decay or rot.
- Tooth pulp inflammation. Sometimes, tooth decay reaches the deeper parts of your tooth and impacts the tissue in there. Never inflammation can be quite painful. Also, this can result from physical tooth trauma. Once the nerve endings within the teeth are damaged, you can experience pain for several days. A tooth crack can also lead to tissue damage.
- Impacted tooth. Your teeth tend to move and grow over the years. However, your wisdom teeth can interfere with this movement. These teeth might crowd your mouth and result in painful tension. In some instances, teeth stay stuck under the gum, not being able to rise because there is no space in the mouth. The impacted teeth can cause severe pain or toothaches.
Avoiding Toothaches
To keep your mouth healthy and prevent future toothaches, below are steps you can take:
- Maintain good oral hygiene. Brush your teeth at least twice every day for 2 minutes every session and floss once a day. Also, use mouthwash and visit your dentist for routine cleanings and exams. Such a visit will let your dentist eliminate hardened tartar from the teeth and examine your gum and teeth health. Dental cleanings prevent toothaches while exams let your dentist catch problems early.
- Do not use your teeth as tools. While your teeth are strong enough to help you consume different foods, they are brittle. You should not use your teeth to tear packaging, open bottles, or crack nuts. Otherwise, you may crack, chip, or break them. These injuries can be quite painful and require a visit to an emergency dentist.
- Change your diet. Did you know that your diet affects oral health? Your gums and teeth need some vitamins and minerals to remain healthy. This makes it essential to stick to a balanced diet filled with lean protein, fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. In addition, you should avoid sugary and starch foods as mouth bacteria feed on them.
- Get the recommended dental care. Dental fillings, crowns, and other treatments restore your teeth’s health and function. Getting the necessary dental treatments will prevent serious toothaches and decay.