A toothache can result from a number of different causes, none of which should be ignored. Before you can find relief from your discomfort, however, you must know what’s causing it. After a thorough examination to determine the source of your toothache, your Astoria dentist can prescribe an appropriate treatment plan to resolve the issue and ease your aching tooth. Today, we explain how some of the most common causes of toothaches, like tooth decay and gum disease, can compromise your teeth until they hurt, hopefully prompting you to seek immediate treatment.
Compromised Tooth Structure
A cracked, fractured, or cavity-afflicted tooth often hurts due to exposed sensitive tissue. The crowns (top, visible parts) of healthy teeth are comprised of layers—the protective outer shell of enamel; dentin, which forms the majority of your tooth’s structure underneath the enamel; and a chamber in the middle called the pulp, where your tooth’s nerves and blood vessels are housed. When enamel and dentin are compromised, the soft tissues at the center of your tooth can become exposed to hot and cold temperatures, food debris, bacteria, and other irritants. If not treated and sealed promptly, your tooth can become severely infected and require a root canal treatment or tooth extraction to prevent the spread of infection.
Exposed Tooth Roots
Compromising your tooth’s structure isn’t the only way to reach its sensitive center. Below your gum line, the roots of your teeth extend into your jawbone, which supports and nourishes your teeth through these roots. Unlike their crowns, your teeth’s roots are not protected by strong tooth enamel. Instead, your gums act as a seal to cover your roots up to the crown, protecting them from harmful oral bacteria and infection. When oral bacteria gather along your gum line en masse, they can irritate and inflame your gums, causing them to separate (recede) from your teeth and expose your tooth roots. If a toothache warns you of oncoming gum disease, seek treatment as soon as possible to prevent severe gum disease from eroding your gums and jawbone and leading to tooth loss.
Treat Your Toothache with Help from Your Astoria Dentist
To learn what’s causing your toothache and find relief from the discomfort, don’t hesitate to schedule a consultation with your Astoria dentist by calling our office today at (718) 728-8320. Located in the 11106 area, we proudly serve patients from Astoria, Queens, Manhattan, Brooklyn, and the surrounding communities.
