Common causes of toothache from our dentist

Do you have a toothache that you can’t identify the cause of?

At Spa Dental, treating toothache is just one of the many things we do and our dentist Sydney can help to reverse any cause of dental pain, helping you get back to your day. Great!

Here, our dentist Sydney talks through the most common causes of toothache that we see in our practice.

Decay

One of the leading reasons why people develop toothache is linked to the formation of cavities.

When this goes unseen by our dentist Sydney, it can develop into decay which, at first, can be hard to spot, especially if it is located on the back of a tooth.

As the tooth breaks down, the visible signs of decay become more pronounced and you may notice a brown circle on the tooth; this is a cavity. Left unchecked, tooth decay can become very uncomfortable, especially if you are consuming hot or cold beverages.

Depending on the level of decay, we will treat it with either a filling, crown, root canal or extraction.

Abscess

As we mentioned before, tooth decay that goes undetected can be incredibly painful.

And if the decay extends into the root of the tooth, it can cause an abscess or dental infection to form. These can feel like a bruise, pressure, burning or an unrelenting discomfort that can disrupt your sleep, your concentration and can be dangerous to your health. If you suspect a dental abscess, you need to see our emergency dental team as soon as possible.

We will typically treat an oral abscess with a course of oral antibiotics, followed by either a root canal or an extraction. This will be determined by the condition of the infected tooth; if it is repairable, we will aim for a root canal. If it has broken down beyond repair, we will extract it.

Cracks or chips

Cracks and chips to teeth are common, especially in young children, those who have manual jobs or those who play sports.

So it should come as no surprise that when you develop a crack or chip in your tooth’s enamel, it is going to cause some discomfort as the nerves are now exposed to the air.

Depending on how severe the crack or chip is, our team will aim to restore it using either a composite filling or a complete crown. Damage to the enamel of the tooth will rarely result in an extraction.

Thinned enamel

If you consume a lot of acidic products in your diet, such as coffee or soda, chances are that the enamel on your teeth has become thin.

Enamel that is thin or weakened is likely to expose microscopic holes to the air, allowing sensitivity to set in and cause intermittent dental pain. This can occur when you consume hot or cold beverages, but can also be set off by something as benign as breathing in cold air.

Luckily, our team can treat sensitivity with fluoride sealants and, if needed, we can rebuild the exterior of the tooth with a crown or a veneer.

Loose filling or crown

And finally, if you have a loose or lost filling or crown, this can cause toothache.

Once again, this is due to the nerves of the tooth being exposed to the air. If you have lost a crown or filling, or suspect that one you have is loose, our team will replace it.

DISCLAIMER

All treatment carries risks. Individual consultation is required with one of our practitioners to ensure that the treatment is right for you.