Your Toothache Might Not Be Caused by A Cavity

Toothaches happen on occasion, and they’re not always a cavity in need of immediate dental work. Sometimes your teeth hurt for other reasons, and it’s important you understand what might be causing your pain before you panic. Toothaches Hickory NC can be temporary, or they could be long-term. Whatever the issue, you must know what might be behind the pain you’re feeling. 

You Brush Hard 

Did you know there is such thing as brushing too hard? If you’re not sure you’re guilty of this, take a look at your toothbrush. Are the bristles spread out? If so, it might be caused by brushing too hard. This can cause your gums to recede from the pressure, and that can cause pain in your mouth. The pain caused by gum recession can be mistaken for a toothache. 

Your Tooth Was Traumatized 

If you were recently injured, you might realize your tooth suffered trauma. However, not all tooth trauma hurts right away. Perhaps you were hit in the face with a baseball during a game with your kids a year or two ago, and now you’re suffering from pain from that injury. Pain from tooth trauma is not always immediate, which means you could have a dead tooth now. 

You Could Suffer from a Sinus Infection 

Many people have no idea a simple sinus infection can cause serious tooth pain. Flu season and allergy season both cause you to experience issues with your eyes and sinuses, and you might blame many things on your allergies. However, you probably never blamed a toothache on allergies, but you can use a sinus infection as the cause of your toothache. Your sinuses and the roots of your teeth are close neighbors, which means you’re going to suffer pain you might mistake as one or the other. 

You’re Grinding or Clenching 

If you suspect you grind or clench your teeth during your sleep, you must contact your dentist right away. The damage you’re doing to your mouth not only causes pain it can cause irreparable damage to your teeth. Chronic grinding or clenching are real problems, which can cause your teeth to crack without your knowledge. Your dentist can fit you for a night guard that prevents you from damaging your teeth at night. If you have a cracked or chipped tooth from this, your dentist can work on that, too. 

Not all pain you feel in your mouth is a real toothache caused by a cavity or other dental issue. While there’s nothing wrong with calling your dentist to discuss the issues you’re facing, it’s helpful to take a moment to see if you might suffer from one of these other issues. It can save you time by allowing you to call the correct doctor, take the correct medication, or make the correct diagnosis. If your pain seems to be ongoing, you need to discuss it with your dentist. Pain that lasts longer than a few days to a week is often caused by something that requires immediate attention whether it’s a cavity or not.