3 Causes Of Tooth Pain And Sensitivity

Teeth are important for many reasons, but they are prone to decay and other issues. Unfortunately, many of these conditions can cause pain. If you would like to know more, check out these three causes of tooth pain and sensitivity.

1. Thinning Enamel

Thinning enamel can make teeth more sensitive. You may notice pain and discomfort from:

• Cold winds
• Cold foods/beverages
• Hot foods/beverages
• Sugary foods/beverages

Some people are prone to thin enamel, or they did not develop strong enamel as a child. However, as an adult, poor oral health and highly acidic foods/beverages can wear down enamel, exposing the sensitive dentin layer. You can also accidentally scratch enamel by eating hard candies, chewing on ice, and brushing aggressively. 

Ideally, some fluoride treatments and lifestyle changes can help strengthen and improve weak enamel. However, if you have severe enamel loss, you may need dental bonding, veneers, or dental crowns.

2. Cavities and Decay

Cavities are caused by a combination of bacteria, sugar, plaque, and acid. At first, they may cause little to no symptoms, but as they grow, they can cause mild to severe pain. You may also have a visible pit or black spot on the tooth. The area will also likely be overly sensitive.

If the decay reaches the tooth's pulp, you may develop a dental abscess, which can cause severe pain and pressure. Other symptoms of a dental abscess include:

• Pus
• Bad breath
• Metallic bitter taste

Most cavities can be treated with a filling, but depending on the size of the filling, your dentist may also recommend a dental crown. An infected tooth needs root canal treatment (and a dental crown) or an extraction. Your dentist will also prescribe antibiotics.

3. Trauma

Trauma can hurt teeth in a few ways. First, enough trauma can kill the tooth's pulp, causing the tooth to die. If this happens, the tooth may also darken, and tooth bleaching may not help. If the pulp dies, the tooth also has a higher risk of getting an infection.

Trauma may also cause chips and cracks. Even small chips and cracks may expose the dentin to bacteria and decay. Minor cracks in the enamel may increase the risk of stains, but these can usually be treated with teeth bleaching. If you've experienced oral trauma, you may need:

• Dental bonding
• Dental crown
• Root canal treatment
• Tooth extraction

If you have tooth pain, it's time to visit the dentist to make sure it's nothing serious. Thinning enamel can lead to increased cavities and decay, which may increase the risk of tooth loss. If you would like to know more, contact a dentist in your area today.