You are having a great day. Things are going smoothly, and you don’t have significant stress. Then, out of nowhere, you get a sudden, intense tooth pain. Immediately, you have a dozen scenarios of what may have happened. If this sounds familiar, you are not alone. And while often this pain indicates a dental-related issue, that is not always the case. The best approach is to contact Bridge Street Dental Center and schedule an appointment.
9 Possible Causes of Sudden Tooth Pain
Tooth Decay –
Sometimes, a cavity might be on the top or sides of a tooth enamel without being noticed. Then, it “suddenly” reaches the inner layer of your teeth and reacts to hot or cold temperatures.
Enamel Erosion –
At least 12% of the population has some aspect of enamel erosion. This enamel erosion, or dentin hypersensitivity. It is often caused by eating a diet rich in acidic foods, brushing your teeth too hard, grinding your teeth, a fractured tooth, or several other factors.
Cracked Tooth or Crown –
Even the most minor tooth or crown crack can cause significant pain. You may have bitten down on something hard from chewing or drinking something hot or cold.
Gum Infection –
You have gingivitis that has progressed into periodontal disease. Over half of the adult population over age 30 has mild, moderate, or severe periodontitis. Depending on the degree of infection, you might not be aware of it until you experience pain.
Brushing Too Hard –
Using a hard bristle toothbrush or putting too much pressure behind a soft brush can cause gum recession. This is often manifested through sudden pain, especially when consuming cold foods.
Sinus Infection –
A sinus infection is not unusual during allergy and flu season. The roots of some teeth are next to the sinuses. The pressure from a sinus infection can affect your teeth. You can wait out the pain or talk to your doctor or dentist about a decongestant or antibiotic.
Bruxism –
Also known as teeth grinding, may happen while sleeping and can cause you to crack a tooth. If you grind your teeth, consider getting a mouthguard to protect your teeth.
Teeth Whitening –
Some people will react to the bleach used for teeth whitening, making their teeth more sensitive. This pain will go away in a few days. You can lessen the discomfort by brushing with toothpaste for sensitive teeth.
Temporomandibular Jaw Disorder –
Most people know this joint pain as TMJ. The cause of this can be somewhat mysterious in some scenarios. Other times, it can be caused by an injury or the clenching or grinding of the teeth. TMJ can dislocate, or even lock, the mandible from the skull, causing intense and often unexpected pain.
Other issues can cause tooth pain. So, don’t ignore sudden and lingering pain. However, don’t immediately stress. Instead, give the Bridge Street Dental Center a call. We can take a look and determine a plan of action so you can go about your life.
