Are you experiencing toothache and not sure why? Here are some of the potential reasons
If you've suddenly noticed random pain flashing in and out of your gums or experienced a toothache that came out of nowhere, then you're not alone.
It is estimated that approximately 3 million people in the UK suffer from regular oral pain. And over a third of them mask this pain with medication or simply ignore it completely.
Your teeth (and gums) are not designed to cause you pain., and if you find yourself suffering from bouts of pain, here are 4 possible reasons why your teeth may suddenly hurt.
“Tooth sensitivity is caused by worn enamel or exposed nerves in the tooth.“"“
1. You ate or drank something either very cold or very hot
Think ice cream and a steaming hot cup of cocoa. Sure, it sounds great, but it will wreak havoc on your enamel. And you will experience this in the form of tooth sensitivity.
Tooth sensitivity is caused by worn enamel or exposed nerves in your tooth.. So, when you eat (or drink) something that is very hot or cold, you feel a sudden, sharp flash of pain.
2. Your enamel is eroded or is eroding
It is estimated that over 2 million adults in the UK haven't been to the dentist in 10 years. 61% of adults in the UK admit they have never been to the dentist. And 111% believe they don't need to go to the dentist.
“Unlike other parts of our body, enamel does not grow back.”
So it's safe to imagine that there's a chance that a significant number of adults in the UK have no idea whether or not their teeth are healthy. Nor are they aware of how they can achieve and maintain good oral health based on their specific cases.
One of the first things that breaks down when we don't maintain good oral hygiene is our enamel. And, sUnlike other parts of our body, enamel does not grow back..
Enamel erosion can occur from eating a very acidic diet, excessive consumption of sugary foods, brushing your teeth too hard, as well as several other factors.
This means that our enamel (which is designed to cover and protect our teeth) begins to wear away, leading to sharp pain in your teeth when you eat certain foods.
3. Your tooth has fallen victim to decay
With 31% of adults in the UK suffering from tooth decay, it's not an uncommon reason to have a toothache. And if your teeth have suddenly started bothering you, then tooth decay could be to blame, as it can linger on the tooth for a period of time without being noticed.
When tooth decay starts to progress to an infection, you are likely to feel pain.
4. You started grinding your teeth at night (or day)
Known clinically as bruxism, grinding or clenching your teeth can lead to chronic tooth sensitivity because it wears down your enamel.
Approximate 8-10% of the UK population is affected by bruxism. And while it's not uncommon for it to happen from time to time, strong links have been found between high stress circumstances and grinding of teeth at night.
This is done without you realizing it is happening, which could be why it leads to a mysterious and sudden toothache that suddenly appears to you.
If you are experiencing toothache and feel that you may be suffering from one of the reasons listed above, then get in touch with your dentist as soon as possible. They will be able to assess your teeth and provide you with treatment options.
Source: enlightensmiles.com
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