Likely Reasons Why You May Be Suffering From a Chronic Toothache
Posted on: 24 April 2017
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A toothache can be one of the most excruciating pains that you could experience. Nevertheless, it is not uncommon to find some people choosing to self-medicate in hopes that a toothache will eventually abate on its own. The truth is a chronic toothache usually stems from a more serious, underlying issue that would have to be diagnosed by a dentist. If you are suffering from a chronic toothache, below are some of the likely reasons why.
You have developed a cavity
One of the most common causes of toothaches is undetected cavities. As the cavity is left unchecked, the decay begins to spread, and this makes the whole in your tooth bigger. The larger the hole becomes, the more surface area is exposed to temperature changes, bacteria and more. If you do not have your cavity remedied while it is still small, you could end up having to get a root canal. It is, therefore, important to seek dental attention if you start to experience jolts of pain in your tooth.
You have acquired a crack in your tooth
Another reason why you may start to suffer from chronic tooth pain is if one of your teeth is cracked. The severity of the tooth pain would mostly depend on the how deep the crack is. Cracks in your teeth will expose the nerve endings, which is what causes the intolerable pain. These cracks tend to occur due to trauma to your teeth but can also come about if you suffer from undiagnosed bruxism. It is prudent to have a dentist assess the crack so that they can determine the cause. If it is caused by an ongoing problem, the dentist will recommend treatment options that will prevent future cracks from occurring. You should bear in mind that overlooking a crack in your tooth can put it at risk of opportunistic infections, which would translate into other oral problems.
You have an abscessed tooth
Tooth abscesses are usually confused for cavities, as the pain tends to be similarly intense. Nevertheless, a tooth abscess is caused by an infection, unlike a cavity that develops due to the gradual decay of the tooth. The infection causing the tooth abscess usually will occur at the point between the gums and the root of the tooth meet. If you do not seek medical attention, the abscess can eventually develop into periodontitis and pose the risk of tooth loss.