Toothaches can cause significant discomfort, and many people describe throbbing tooth pain as one of the most unpleasant scenarios that one can experience. Because dental discomfort is a prevalent public health problem, many people wonder what provokes them. Here are six reasons why people suffer from throbbing tooth pain and what to do about it.
1. Cavity
Bacteria is a natural part of the mouth’s ecosystem. However, consuming too many sugary and starchy foods feed the harmful bacteria and causes them to flourish while leaving the tooth enamel defenseless. When oral bacteria “eat” through the outer layer of the tooth, a hole (or cavity) forms. Tooth decay can expose inner tissue and dental nerves, causing discomfort.
2. Gum Disease
Gum (periodontal) disease is an infection caused by genetics, poor oral hygiene, deficient diet, hormonal changes, tobacco use, or certain health conditions. As the gums begin to recede due to plaque and tartar accumulation, the tooth roots become more and more exposed. When the gum disease-causing germs build up around the tooth roots, it can cause an infection that leads to throbbing tooth pain (and when push comes to shove, advanced periodontal disease can result in tooth loss).
3. Abscessed Tooth
If bacteria flows through a cavity or crack in the enamel, part or all of the inner tooth pulp tissue is at risk of dying. Over time, dead pulp tissue constitutes a pocket of pus in the tooth (known as an abscessed tooth) that can spread out of the tooth roots and cause the supporting gum and bone to be infected. Sometimes, an abscessed tooth can cause such severe pulsating pain that medication cannot relieve the pangs.
4. Tooth Eruption
Even though baby’s teeth and tooth buds grow while they are in the womb, the pressure from emerging baby teeth often causes sore, swollen gums. The teething stage can be a difficult season of life for growing families and can leave both parents and babies frustrated.
5. Impacted Tooth
The jawbone and adjacent teeth can block an emerging tooth, which causes impaction. Wisdom teeth are notorious for becoming impacted, so many dentists recommend extracting them before they become an extreme pain issue. Beyond discomfort, an impacted wisdom tooth can sometimes trap bacteria, food, and other debris in the soft tissue surrounding it. Avoiding an impacted tooth extraction can lead to more severe problems resulting in even more discomfort, including gum tenderness, swelling, bad breath, and tooth decay.
6. Bruxism
Do you grind and clench your teeth at night or during stressful situations? Chronic teeth grinding is referred to as bruxism, which can cause soreness and tooth erosion. Bruxism is a serious disorder and can lead to fractured teeth, cavities, migraines, and TMJ disorder if left untreated. If you grind your teeth during sleep, speak to your dentist about a nightguard.
How to Relieve Throbbing Tooth Pain Now
To summarize, throbbing tooth pain may signify that you have an oral infection, an emerging tooth, or dental damage. Since toothaches may result from multiple ailments and range in severity, the safest bet is to visit your local dentist to ask for advice and treatment. Dr. Julie Glud has helped many patients with toothaches in Lombard, IL, with gentle, contemporary methods. If you are experiencing a toothache, schedule a dental visit immediately by calling 630-629-5700 or messaging us online.
