Severe Tooth Pain Causes

As a general rule, parents are responsible for teaching their children many different things as they grow and mature. In these developmental years, one of the most basic but essential lessons is teaching the children how to take proper care of their teeth. This is fundamental information that is needed when children receive their first set of teeth and it also helps them with maintenance throughout their adulthood. For those who listen to and follow their parent's advice, many are able to avoid a variety of different dental problems including severe tooth pain. Sometimes, however, tooth pain cannot be avoided because the causes of the pain can come from many different underlying conditions. Some of these causes include cavities, abscesses, injury to the mouth or the jaw, sinusitis or it can be a symptom of an early heart attack in women.

Cavities

As stated above, one cause of severe tooth pain is cavities. Cavities can be described as small holes or decay in the teeth. These small holes and decay can come from eating different kinds of foods with carbohydrates (i.e. candy, cakes, sodas, pastas and other types of carbohydrates). These foods do not have to be avoided completely however, they should not be eaten if the person does not brush their teeth after every meal or snack.

Additionally, one of the best ways to avoid cavities is to visit the dentist on a regularly scheduled basis. For instance, According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, a child should visit their dentist for a check-up at least twice a year. In some cases, the dentist may recommend additional visits if the child is at a higher risk of tooth decay.

Abscesses

Severe tooth pain can also come from having an abscessed tooth. An abscessed tooth can be described as a tooth that has infection at its roots. An abscessed tooth is normally caused by teeth that have not been treated properly. These are teeth that have been broken or cracked. Anyone who has had an abscessed tooth can attest to the intense and excruciating pain that is caused. In these cases, the individual should contact their dentist as soon as possible. The role of the dentist is to remove the infection before it spreads into other surrounding areas (i.e. the bone).

Injury to the Jaw or the Mouth

Sustaining an injury to the jaw or the mouth is also one of the reasons for experiencing severe tooth pain. For instance, children and adults who are involved in contact sports are normally at a higher risk than others. Many have had injuries to their jaws and mouth and as a result they have had teeth broken or knocked out.

Sinusitis

In some cases, severe tooth pain is not caused by problems with the individual's teeth. Sometimes the source of the pain comes from sinusitis. Unfortunately, in these situations, many find it hard to determine the difference between the two. This is one of the main reasons why it is best to talk with a dentist. The dentist can evaluate both the sinus symptoms and take X-rays of the affected teeth before making a final determination. An accurate diagnosis from a dentist can help with getting the proper treatment for the condition. For instance, if the tooth pain is caused by sinusitis instead of a bad gum infection, the dentist can refer the patient to an ear, nose and throat specialist. This specialist can make their evaluation and prescribe medications that will get rid of the infection and the pain.

Heart Trouble

Although there are many different reasons for having severe tooth pain, it is important to know the source of the pain could be early warning signs of a heart attack. According to recent studies (conducted in Sweden and Uruguay), tooth pain or jaw pain can be an early warning sign of heart disease, specifically in women. While the signs in men have been identified and are distinct, the signs in women are not as prominent. With these new studies, however, severe tooth pain and jaw pain are some of the common symptoms known and they are linked to heart disease.

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