Tooth pain can be extremely disruptive and debilitating. Pain of any kind in your mouth, even when you think you can tolerate it, should not be ignored. It is often a symptom of a larger dental problem that may require intervention from your dentist.
Do not delay calling your dentist about a toothache. But you might notice that not all pain in your smile feels the same. Different types of pain in a tooth can reflect varying concerns that may occur in your smile. Read on to learn about three levels of pain you might feel in your tooth and what they could mean for your dental health.
Tooth Sensitivity
Have you ever bitten into a food and felt a sharp shock of pain? The sensation usually fades after you stop touching the tooth, but despite the intermittent feeling, the pain can be excruciating.
This tooth sensitivity occurs when the enamel, the outer layer of the tooth, wears down, exposing nerves in the tooth’s interior. When an external element stimulates these nerves, they transmit pain signals to the brain which will stop with the removal of the stimulus.
Enamel erosion can happen for a number of reasons, including diet, poor oral hygiene, or underlying dental problems like cavities. Enamel will not regrow, so you will need help from a dentist to resolve sensitivity pain.
Treatment will depend on the cause of the symptom. In many cases, a dentist will want to replace weakened or lost enamel with restorative dental solutions like a crown. Visit your dentist for an evaluation to learn more.
Dull Toothache
A dull, constant aching feeling in your tooth can be uncomfortable, but you might think it is not a big deal. But tooth pain of any kind is abnormal and can point to an oral health problem.
The cause of a low-level toothache can vary. Acute scenarios, like something stuck between your teeth, might create this pain. Or chronic habits like teeth grinding can make you wake up with this toothache. Consult your dentist about this symptom before the problem worsens.
Throbbing Tooth Pain
A throbbing, severe pain in your tooth can be difficult to ignore and majorly impact your everyday life. If you feel a deep, pulsating pain in your tooth that does not go away, you should tell your dentist as soon as you can.
This type of tooth pain can happen due to an infection in the tooth. This often requires root canal therapy to eradicate. Seek this treatment urgently so that the problem does not spread and worsen.
You might also feel intense throbbing pain if you fracture your tooth. You can injure a tooth in many ways, including while eating or due to a blow to the face. Tooth breakage is not always visible, so visit your dentist for an evaluation and treatment.
You should not suffer through this oral discomfort until your next regularly scheduled dentist appointment. Call your dentist to arrange an emergency dental visit to resolve tooth pain.