Table of contents:
- Why do your teeth hurt?
- Common symptoms when a toothache
- Symptoms that stem from the cause of a toothache
- 1. Symptoms of toothache caused by decay (erosion)
- 2. Symptoms of tooth pain due to sensitivity
- 3. Symptoms of tooth pain due to gum problems
- 4. Symptoms of toothache caused by tooth abscess
- 5. Symptoms of pain caused by impacted wisdom teeth
- 6. Symptoms of toothache caused by cracked teeth
Toothache can come on suddenly and interfere with your activities. Teeth hurt easily if you don't take good care of your teeth and mouth. Not only does it hurt, you also need to know other symptoms of toothache so you can get treatment quickly.
Why do your teeth hurt?
Toothache occurs when the nerve of the pulp is irritated or infected by bacteria, causing severe pain. Keep in mind that the pulp nerves are the most sensitive nerves in this area of your body.
However, toothache can also be caused by problems originating in other areas of the body. Toothache is usually not life threatening, but it can become a bad problem if not treated properly.
Common symptoms when a toothache
As explained a little above, pain in the teeth and jaw is a common complaint from everyone, including you. Toothache symptoms that you usually feel such as pressure, intense pain, also aches.
Quoted from WebMd, pain can last more than 15 seconds when there is a stimulus. Not only that, because if the symptoms of inflammation continue, the toothache can get worse. It's possible that the pain could start to spread to the cheek, ear, or jaw area.
Here are some symptoms of toothache that you need to be aware of, such as:
- A sharp, constant pain.
- Pain when chewing food.
- The teeth become more sensitive to cold or heat.
- There is bleeding around the teeth and gums.
- There is swelling in the gum area to the outside.
- Bad breath when there is an infection.
- Fever accompanied by headaches.
Symptoms that stem from the cause of a toothache
The signs or symptoms of a toothache can also be related to what is the cause of the condition. For example, such as tooth decay, gum disease, broken teeth, and redness in the area around the gums. For more details, see the explanation below.
1. Symptoms of toothache caused by decay (erosion)
The damage that occurs to your teeth is when there is erosion and the formation of cavities on the outer surface (tooth enamel). Then, when plaque builds up it will produce acid which causes holes in the teeth so that the tooth enamel is damaged.
If not treated, it will hurt, infection, and even tooth loss. Toothache signs that you can feel are:
- Decay that spreads to the inside and middle of the tooth.
- Teeth are more sensitive to hot and cold temperatures.
- Over time, the teeth become sore, including when touched.
2. Symptoms of tooth pain due to sensitivity
Not everyone has sensitive teeth. This condition occurs when you feel pain as well as aching due to the dentin layer being exposed to cold or hot temperatures. Dentin is a channel filled with nerve fibers.
Not only that, sensitive teeth can also be caused by thin enamel. Therefore you can feel pain or discomfort when experiencing it. Some of the triggers for pain in sensitive teeth are:
- Sweet foods and drinks
- Hot or cold food or drinks.
- High acidic foods or drinks.
- Violent brushing and wrong technique.
- Grinding your teeth at night.
- Exposure to cold air.
- Using mouthwash with alcohol content.
3. Symptoms of tooth pain due to gum problems
Areas with teeth, such as gums, can also be problematic. If you do not maintain proper oral hygiene, this can cause gum disorders.
This also allows bacteria to infect the gums. Some problems with the gums are known as inflammation of the gums (gingivitis) and gum infection (periodontitis).
Gingivitis is a bacterial infection that causes the gums to become inflamed, making them red and swollen. Meanwhile, periodontitis is an infection of the gum area that is quite serious and can damage the soft tissue and bones that support teeth.
Some of the symptoms of toothache caused by inflammation of the gums (gingivitis):
- Gums are red, swollen, and tender.
- The gums also shrink.
- Gums bleed easily when you brush your teeth.
- The color of the gums turns blackish red.
- Bad breath that doesn't go away either.
Some of the symptoms of toothache caused by gum infection (periodontitis):
- Gums bleed more easily when brushing teeth or chewing textured food.
- Swollen gums are bright red to purplish.
- You feel pain when you hit your tongue or fingers.
- There are visible gaps between the teeth.
- There is pus in between the teeth and gums.
4. Symptoms of toothache caused by tooth abscess
Tooth abscess can also be defined when there is a pocket filled with pus in the area of the teeth and gums. This condition is caused by infection due to the entry of bacteria due to untreated holes.
The main symptom that you can feel is pain accompanied by throbbing and aching pain. In addition, the pain appeared suddenly and became more intense over several hours.
It is possible that the pain may get worse at night. Other symptoms caused by tooth abscess:
- Teeth become sensitive because hot and cold food.
- The gums are swollen, reddish, and feel softer.
- The mouth gives off an unpleasant odor.
- The area of the face, cheeks, or neck becomes swollen.
If the infection has spread to other areas of the body, you can feel symptoms such as feeling unwell, fever, and difficulty swallowing.
5. Symptoms of pain caused by impacted wisdom teeth
New wisdom teeth are not a problem. However, if it grows on its side or what it is called impaction, it will be a problem. Molar teeth that grow sideways can damage the adjacent teeth, damage nerves, and damage the jawbone.
Signs and symptoms of toothache due to impacted wisdom teeth:
- Pain in the gums as well as the back of the jaw.
- The gums on the back are red, swollen, or may fester.
- Swelling resulting in asymmetry of the face.
- It's hard to open your mouth.
- Pain or tenderness in front of the ear and radiating to the head.
6. Symptoms of toothache caused by cracked teeth
Some conditions for dental problems occur due to injuries as well as trauma, such as cracked teeth. Not only from falling, biting into something hard can also cause your teeth to crack and break. Plus if you have a condition that you grind your teeth at night.
Signs of toothache due to cracked teeth:
- It hurts when chewing and biting something.
- Teeth become sensitive to sweet, hot, and cold.
- Pain that comes and goes but continues.
- The gums are swollen and affect the mouth area.