There’s nothing worse than experiencing a throbbing toothache. Chances are, when experiencing dental pain, your first thought is that you may have a cavity. While this certainly could be the case, there are more causes to dental pain than you may have considered.
1. Perhaps you’re brushing too hard.
Kudos to you for being a diligent brusher! However, sometimes there can actually be too much of a good thing. If you brush much too often or press way too hard, you could be doing damage to the outer layer of your tooth, known as the enamel. Sometimes, this over-brushing can go so far as to cause gum recession and even expose the root of your tooth! This can be quite painful and make your teeth extremely sensitive to hot and cold temperatures. If this is the case, be certain to call Caputo Dental straight away to set up an appointment. And remember: plaque is actually quite soft and easy to remove, so it is okay to go easy on your teeth with a soft-bristled toothbrush!
2. You could be grinding your teeth in your sleep.
Teeth grinding, also known as bruxism, is more common than you’d think. In fact, there are 30-40 million people in the United States who grind their teeth. It is possible that you’re even grinding your teeth while you sleep! This can caused by a number of things, such as medication, stress, a misaligned bite, or even a sleep disorder. If you suffer from bruxism, however, this can have more serious repercussions than dental pain. You might be wearing down the dental enamel and causing stress fractures or muscle pain in your jaw. If you think you might be grinding your teeth in your sleep, your dentist will be able to confirm this by looking at the damage done to your enamel.
3. You might have periodontitis.
Periodontal (gum) disease is one of the most common oral health issues impacting Americans today—75% of Americans over 35 years old experience the issue—yet it seems to go widely unnoticed. The issue begins as gingivitis, an infection of the gums, but can eventually develop into something much worse. Therefore, if you’ve noticed your gums appear inflamed, bleed when you floss, or feel painful, be certain to visit the dentist right away. The earlier you catch the problem, the better!
4. You might even have a sinus infection.
Your body’s systems are all interconnected. And because your sinuses and oral cavity are all linked, sinus pressure and congestion can actually manifest as pain in your teeth! Therefore, if you’re also currently dealing with a respiratory illness, sinusitis, or the flu at the moment, it is possible that your dental pain will clear up with your other symptoms. That said, it is always a good idea to visit the dentist to ensure that your dental pain is not caused by something more serious.
If you’re dealing with dental pain, we can help! Simply call Caputo Dental right away to schedule your appointment.