A toothache is a common dental problem many people suffer. This is the major issue that makes most people go for medical checkup and treatment from dentists. The greatest problem is that most people do not understand what causes this dental condition. To help you gain more understanding, here are the top causes of a toothache.

Tooth Decay

Tooth decay is the leading cause of the problem. In most cases, the small cavities affecting the outer coating of the enamel are not painful. However, if the decay goes through the enamel, pain arises because the inner part of the tooth is usually affected. The tooth also gets more sensitive. In later stages, this decay might go deeper into the pulp leading to more severe toothache.

Gum Disease

Gum disease leads to swollen, bleeding and red gums. If the problem advances to later stages, the problem can lead to severe pain even to a healthy tooth. The infection of the gum leads to gum inflammation and the bone tissues leading to dull pain. Gum abscess that occurs at later stages of the gum diseases also leads to the pain.

Accident or Falls

Accidents or fall lead to a fractured or broken tooth. This breakage can cause a severe toothache when this fracture goes through the nerves of your teeth. In case the fracture is not deep, there is a possibility that bacteria and plaque might accumulate leading to tooth decay that causes pain.

Tooth Grinding

Tooth grinding also known as bruxism makes your tooth to chip or wear down. This leads to excess pressure on the tissues that support the teeth leading to pain. The biggest problem is that the problem does not only cause a toothache but a pain in your jaw muscles and joints.

Improper Tooth Brushing

If you do not brush your teeth in the right manner, the gums surrounding the teeth might recede or detach. This exposes the roots of the teeth leading to severe sensitivity to heat, cold and sour foods. Drinks with high acid content might also aggravate the problem leading to more pain.

Gum Recession

Gum recession is an issue that arises when the gum tissue begins to pull up and move away from your teeth. This makes the roots of your teeth get exposed and painful. This is a problem that is mostly caused by brushing your teeth too hard. You can avoid it by brushing gently in a circular motion.

How to Prevent a Toothache

Proper Brushing

Most of the causes of this dental condition can be prevented through proper dental care. It is important to brush your teeth after every meal. This helps remove all the dirt and food that might be stuck between your teeth. Brush them gently to avoid injuring your gums.

Regular Dental Check-Ups

It is advisable to go for dental checkup regularly. This is necessary because there are issues you might not recognize that your dentist will detect. If such issues are handled early enough, the risk of problems that might lead to a toothache is reduced.