Home » A Toothache Cause May Be More Than a Dental Problem

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Usually, a toothache is caused by a dental cavity emanating from tooth decay. Plaque build up often starts cavity build up. Plaque and tartar clings to the surface your tooth which bacteria feed on. Long time bacteria build up will cause the tooth to weaken and create holes that becomes filled with decayed matter.

However, toothache pain can be more than a dental problem. It can also be caused by a variety of reason ranging from the following: you have sore and swollen gums, you have an impacted and/or erupted tooth or you recently got a blow to your face and a tooth is cracked. Also, toothache pain may be caused by an inflamed sinus, stress and tension in your neck area and/or jaw muscle spasm.

The most popular known cause of toothache, other than dental cavity, is by gum disease. Vitamin C deficiency causes the gums to be soft and swollen, resulting to an abnormal loss of the bone surrounding the tooth. This is referred to as gingivitis, a dental disorder which causes gums to bleed, even without pain. This particular cause, when toothache is present already, signifies an advanced gum problem, with a possible damage to the bone around the teeth area and formation of gum pockets. These gum pockets provide breeding ground for bacteria which then in turn cause infections.

Teeth pressing together due to a single impacted tooth are another cause of toothache pain. This usually happens with the growth of your wisdom (molar) tooth growing in the wrong direction. The pressure it gives to the root of your side teeth will create a dull pain in the area. The gum tissues may then become swollen and inflamed.

A broken tooth or cracked tooth can also cause toothache pain. The absence of cavity or tooth decay does not necessarily assure us of a toothache free life. Using the affected or cracked tooth to bite and chew will give you sharp and throbbing pain. This particular cause must be referred to your dentists as a root canal or tooth replacement or crowning may be needed to alleviate toothache pain.

If toothache is accompanied by high temperature or slight fever, one must go see his dentist immediately. As another cause of toothache pain is ear infection. Lower molars are close to the ear area, as there are problems in that area, a toothache is most likely to occur. Ear infections and toothache are often referred to as associated pain. It's most likely that if you have one kind of pain, you'll have the other. If pain relievers fail to alleviate the pain or give a slightest improvement, make sure to see your dentist and get a tooth x-ray to clarify which is causing your ailment.

Another reason of a toothache being more than a dental problem is the fact that it may emanate from an inflamed sinus. Sinusitis is the inflammation of the sinus cavities behind your eyes and nose. If you have your toothache pain in the middle of flu or colds, an inflamed sinus may be the most likely cause. Check if your cold medications can alleviate the pressure on your sinuses, while easing your flu symptoms. If none works for you it is advised that you should see your doctor immediately.

There are a lot of underlying reasons for that throbbing, excruciating pain. Finding the right cause of the toothache will help you choose the best course of action to take. Administer first aid pain remedies right away to make you comfortable and make a note to drop by your dentist's clinic soonest.