The causes of toothache

If you are suffering from toothache, your first port of call should be your dentist. Worthing patients can get the best advice on how to handle toothache from their dentist but it is worth looking at the causes so that steps can be taken to prevent it in the future.

Toothache is the inflammation of the dental pulp – the most internal layer of the tooth. There are a number of reasons why this part of the tooth might become inflamed. One of these and probably the most usual is tooth decay. Holes begin to form in the tooth’s hard surface. It can also be caused by a cracked tooth, although you may not be able to see the crack yourself.

Loose and broken fillings can also be a problem, as can receding gums. When the gums recede they are shrinking back and will expose parts of the root of the tooth. These are more sensitive than other parts of the tooth. Some patients will go to the dentist with a periapical abscess – a bacterial infection that forms at the end of the tooth.

There are some other conditions similar to toothache that will mean a visit to the dentist. Worthing residents may find that their pain is caused by a periodontal abscess, an infection in the gums. There may also be ulcers on the gums or sore gums around a tooth that is just coming through. People whose wisdom teeth are coming through often have this problem.

Sometimes the pain may be nothing to do with the teeth. Sinusitis can lead to pain in the upper jaw and it could also be an injury to the joint where the jaw is linked to the skull.

Whatever the cause, once it has been found it should be easily treatable and the pain can be dealt with.