For some people, the pain that causes them to ask themselves, “Why do my teeth hurt?” might not only be in the teeth, but in the gum line, the jaw, or the exterior of the tooth. Perhaps the word “hurt” is too general as well, because there are different types of pain, such as tender gums, sensitivity to hot and cold, toothaches, and more.
Pain is a defensive response of the body that is meant to alert you that something is wrong and needs attention. It can range from moderate to severe and can be aggravated by an external stimulus like chewing or drinking hot/cold liquid. If you are experiencing symptoms that are generalized as “teeth hurting,” it’s important to pinpoint where the pain is coming from, what type of pain you are feeling and under what circumstances it is happening. When you do this, you can discern the issue and find out if you need emergency dental work or not.
Below you will find common symptoms of pain and what might be wrong. Contact our knowledgeable dentists if you have any questions!
What type of pain: Toothache
Where the pain is: The interior of the tooth
Under what circumstances the pain is happening: Can happen when chewing or tapping on the tooth, but the general dull, achy pain does not necessarily have to be caused by anything.
What might be wrong: Toothaches might be an indication of infection or decay that requires a root canal. If left untreated, the infection can spread to the surrounding tissue and jawbone, or it can reach a point in which a root canal won’t be able to save the infected tooth, which will then need to be removed.
What type of pain: Bleeding
Where the pain is: The gums and gum line
Under what circumstances the pain happened: When brushing teeth
What might be wrong: Bleeding in gums might sometimes be seen as common and people may write it off as they are brushing too harshly, but if there is persistent pink in the sink, then this could be a sign of gingivitis, or worse, gum disease.
What type of pain: Swelling
Where the pain is: The gums and gum line
Under what circumstances the pain happened: Can happen at anytime
What might be wrong: Swollen gums might be due to an infection that is spread and inflaming the gumline. This is an indication of a number of problems including gingivitis or gum disease. If left untreated, gum disease can lead to more severe problems like tooth loss, diabetes, and heart disease.
What type of pain: Chewing sensitivity
Where the pain is: The tooth or gums
Under what circumstances the pain happened: When eating hard or even soft foods
What might be wrong: Chewing sensitivity is very general and can be a symptom of a variety of problems including gum disease or tooth trauma. If it is tooth trauma, you might have a crack or chipped tooth that needs to be filled or have a crown placed on it. If left untreated, it could become more damaged and might even become infected, possibly causing you to end up losing the tooth.
What type of pain: Temperature sensitivity
Where the pain is: The teeth
Under what circumstances the pain happened: When drinking hot or cold liquids
What might be wrong: Temperature sensitivity is also very general and can be a symptom of a variety of problems including gum disease or tooth trauma. Once again, if you have a cracked/chipped tooth, it may require a new filling or a crown that is custom-made to fit over the original tooth. If left untreated, your tooth could become even more damaged or infected.
What type of pain: Painful bump with pus
Where the pain is: The gums
Under what circumstances the pain happened: Can happen at anytime
What might be wrong: Pus coming out of a painful swelling in the gums might be an indication of a tooth infection, or worse, gum disease. If the pus cannot drain out, then the area will become more swollen and painful and may eventually spread even further.
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, then schedule an appointment at Little Rock Family Dental, today. Our dentists, endodontists, and periodontists are highly trained to analyze, diagnose, and treat problems before they get worse. They will advise a treatment plan and get you started on the road back to a healthy mouth right away.
CONTACT US!
If you are experiencing any of the above symptoms, you need to schedule an appointment with a dentist. You should do this as soon as possible before the problem persists and becomes something worse. Contact us today or give us a call at (501) 954-9900 so that we can make sure you are taken care of. For further relief in the meantime, you can also read our blog post “Immediate Tooth Pain Relief for Emergency Dental Care.”