When you have dental pain – whether in the teeth, the gums, or the jaw – it can be agonizing. Each type of dental pain can be serious, but unfortunately many people put off calling the dentist in hopes that it will clear up on its own. That poses risks though, since the problems could be more advanced than you realize.
To add insult to injury, we also feel less pain in our teeth as we age, because the nerves inside of them shrink over time, and the porous material underneath the tooth enamel builds up. So although you are feeling pain, it could fester for a longer time than when you were younger, which can create a bigger problem.
There are three types of dental pain to watch for:
Tooth Pain
Tooth pain can come from various issues. One of the most frequent causes is a cavity, which is a small hole in the tooth. Plaque — a tacky blend of food and bacteria that coats the outer surface of a tooth, known as the enamel — produces acids that weaken the enamel. The more extensive the cavity, the higher the chance that the nerve in the tooth will be exposed, leading to acute pain and sensitivity to hot or cold items. These symptoms could also indicate a fractured tooth or a damaged or loose filling, which might expose the nerve.
Tooth pain may also result from injury, such as accidentally biting down on an eating utensil. This could damage the ligament anchoring your tooth to the jaw, causing an initially sharp and eventually dull ache in the tooth.
If you feel pressure in your tooth when chewing food, experience sinus discomfort without nasal congestion, or have a bad (sour) taste in your mouth, it may indicate that a cavity or fractured tooth has resulted in a painful infection at the tooth’s root, generating a small pocket of pus known as an abscess.
Gum Pain
Gum pain is usually a constant ache rather than a sharp sensation. It can have numerous causes. It might simply be due to sensitive gums, brushing your teeth too vigorously, or irritation from food particles lodged between your teeth or in the gum space. Gum pain may also arise from an injury if something poked the gum (like a hard chip), irritation from some toothpastes, or canker sores.
Pain in the gums can also be the result of ill-fitting or poorly maintained dentures or partials. If you notice red bumps on the irritated area or feel a burning sensation, it could be due to a fungal infection, so it is worth checking out.
You could also have plaque buildup at the base of the teeth that is irritating the gums. Plaque buildup can lead to gingivitis, an early stage of gum disease characterized by swollen, bleeding gums. If left untreated, gingivitis can worsen below the gum line, and develop into periodontal disease. This can damage the ligament securing the tooth as well as the bone, resulting in gum pain, abscesses, and tooth loss.
Jaw Pain
Jaw discomfort can be sharp and sudden, or instead be a persistent tenderness that intensifies gradually over time.
Chronic, dull jaw pain usually stems from issues with the temporomandibular joint, where the jawbone connects to the skull on either side of your head. Problems related to this joint are referred to as temporomandibular disorders, or TMD. “You can get TMD from injury such as joint dislocation or from problems related to muscles, stress, arthritis, and even behaviors you aren’t even aware of. Maybe you grind your teeth at night, chew gum, or bite on a pen,” says Dr. Lisa Thompson, a geriatric dentistry specialist at the Harvard School of Dental Medicine.
Be very cautious of any pain that suddenly impacts your neck and lower jaw. This could be a form of discomfort called angina caused by narrowed heart arteries — or it might even indicate a heart attack. Heart-related jaw discomfort can occur without the more recognizable signs of a heart attack such as chest pain and shortness of breath.Â
What You Should Do
If you have sudden neck and lower jaw discomfort, that can indicate an emergency. Dial 911 immediately, especially if you have existing heart issues.
All other dental, gum, and jaw discomfort should prompt a call to your dentist — and immediately if you suspect a cracked filling or tooth, gum disease, or an abscess.
“Bacteria from the abscess can get into the bloodstream, and can travel to other spaces in your body, such as your brain or heart. It can be life-threatening. If your dentist can’t see you immediately, go to an emergency department, although there’s not much they can do but give you antibiotics until you can get to a dentist,” Dr. Thompson says. “And if you suspect that your diet, behavior, or brushing habits might be causing pain, go ahead and experiment: get a soft toothbrush, use a Waterpik, switch toothpastes. And keep brushing and flossing your teeth every day.”*
If you have any dental pain, please call our office to schedule an appointment right away.
*Read more about Dental Pain at health.harvard.edu
