Most all of us have experienced some type of tooth pain at some point in our lives. Whether it was your sister elbowing you squarely in the teeth as a child, or really cold water causing us blinding pain as it pours over our front teeth, we have all asked why do my teeth hurt?
Some types of tooth pain will go away on their own and are nothing to be concerned about, but then there are others that may be symptoms of a greater problem and are worth exploring.
- Sinus issues – If you have a cold or congestion, you may start to notice that your teeth are starting to hurt. This is extremely common. It may even happen prior to noticing the symptoms of a cold, right when it starts to show up. You may notice some tooth pain, and may start to wonder why do my teeth hurt? and then you notice some sinus pressure, pain, or congestion start to present itself in the next few days. Your sinuses sit right on top of your teeth. That is why sinus issues may cause more than just one tooth to experience pain.
- Teeth grinding – You may not even know you are a teeth grinder unless a loved one has told you that you kept them awake during the night with your grinding. You may start to have some unexplained tooth pain, but if you ask the dentist about it, they will be able to tell if you have indeed been grinding your teeth. If there don’t seem to be any other explanations for why your teeth hurt, teeth grinding could definitely be the culprit.
- Tooth decay – No one wants to have their nearby dentist tell them that their tooth pain is related to tooth decay. But I brush! I floss! How can I have tooth decay? Relax. Tooth decay happens to the best of us, and the good news is that (in most cases) it is reversible! Part of unearthing the cause of your tooth pain is visiting the dentist for regular check-ups so that you can stay on top of issues like tooth decay. Reversing tooth decay and maintaining good dental health will help to curb your tooth pain.
- Sensitivity following whitening treatments – It is not at all unusual to experience some tooth sensitivity after a professional tooth whitening treatment. The bleaching agent in the whitening in the whitening product can cause sensitivity because it is believed to go through the enamel of your teeth and actually enters the inside (or “pulp”) of the tooth. This is what causes the temporary sensitivity. Here in Charleston, SC (and the south in general), our smiles are extremely important, and part of how we’ve been labeled some of the friendliest people around. Tooth whitening in Charleston is a great way to restore a dingy, dull, or discolored smile.
- Chipped or cracked tooth – You may think that you would know if you cracked or chipped your tooth, but that is not always the case. Stress on your teeth over time can cause inconspicuous breakages. Chewing on ice, popcorn kernels, and many other foods and activities can be behind the resulting tooth pain and problems. So if you start to wonder why do my teeth hurt? think back through the things you may have done with your teeth. Did you use your teeth as a tool? Were you crunching some ice? Do you have a habit of nail biting? Yes, all of these things—over time—can actually cause chipped or cracked teeth. If you’re experiencing pain and you may have a habit or two (or three) that may have caused stress to your teeth, call your dentist and have them investigate.
Tooth pain and sensitivity are extremely common, but it is always wise to explore the reason—especially if the pain is persistent or sharp. Regular dental check-ups are a great way to prevent and find treatment for your tooth pain. Issues like teeth grinding, tooth decay, and chipped or cracked teeth are all things that can be caught during your dentist appointment. These are all issues that (if left unaddressed) can cause bigger issues, so it is definitely important to seek treatment. While tooth pain may be common, it is not normal to continue in pain. So if you’ve been asking yourself why does my tooth hurt? let’s get to the bottom of it and find you some relief.