Everything you need to know about toothache
Everything you need to know about toothache
Many of us have suffered from a toothache in the past and most often it is a sign that there is something wrong with your tooth or gums. Occasionally however, toothache can be a referred pain. This is where the pain is being caused by a problem somewhere else in the body.
Toothaches should never be ignored or left untreated. Even though they are usually not life-threatening, there are some cases where they can be signs of a serious condition that requires immediate medical treatment.
What are the common causes of toothache?
The most common causes of toothache are:
- Tooth decay (hole in the tooth)
- Cracked tooth
- Loose filling
- Broken filling
- Inflammation of the pulp inside your tooth
- Receding gums
- Dental abscess
Other causes of toothache which are caused by referred pain are:
- Sinus infection
- Mouth ulcer
- Jaw problems
What are the less common causes of toothache?
Heart disease and lung cancer can also cause toothaches. This is due to the location of the vagus nerve which runs from your brain to different organs in the body including the heart and lung. It also passes through your jaw. In some cases a toothache may be a warning sign of a heart attack.
Other rare conditions that can also cause referred pain to your skull, face and teeth include trigeminal neuralgia and occipital neuralgia. These are painful neurological conditions that cause your trigeminal and occipital nerves to become irritated or inflamed.
If pain persists or is increasing in severity please contact one of our dentists at Eumundi Dental or your doctor as soon as possible.