When you have pain in your mouth, what's causing it isn't always obvious. Most people immediately assume that they have a bad cavity, but that's not necessarily the case. Here are some of the most common sources of dental pain.
Cavities
Despite the assumption, many people who do have pain in their mouths really do have a cavity to thank for it. When cavities get deep enough to expose the nerve in the tooth, it becomes painful to eat and drink. Breathing in cold air can even hurt. Cavities make your mouth more sensitive to hot and cold foods and drinks, too.
Gum Disease
Gum disease is often considered a silent disease because there's not a lot of pain. However, gum disease can progress into periodontitis. In this more advanced stage, the gums pull away from the teeth, leaving the roots exposed to bacteria. This can lead to sensitivity to cold and cause pain while chewing. It can also lead to teeth breaking off or falling out, which causes even more pain.
Cracked Teeth
If you crack a tooth, it may expose the dentin. This is the layer of the tooth that lies underneath the enamel and cementum. When dentin is exposed, you are likely to experience pain when drinking cold drinks or breathing in cold air. This can also happen if you have a filling or crown that falls off or if a filling gets worn down.
Bruxism
Bruxism, more commonly known as grinding your jaw while you sleep, can also cause pain in your mouth and teeth. Your jaw may be very sore when you wake up. It can also wear down teeth, exposing the dentin and causing sensitivity.
If you have any pain in your mouth, you need to call and make an appointment to come in as soon as possible. Dental pain is not normal, and you need to have the source treated as soon as possible.
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Dental Implant Center at Walnut Creek: Blog Dr. Keith and Dr. Petrini have been proudly serving the Grater Bay Area community for many years and pride themselves on performing excellent services in general dentistry and dental implants. Dental Implant Center at Walnut Creek, 1111 Civic Drive, Suite 320 Walnut Creek, CA 94596; (925) 266-3550; implantcenterwc.com; 10/7/2024; Page Terms:dental implants Walnut Creek CA;
