Untreated cavities may become larger, extending into the deeper structures of the tooth and possibly into the tooth's pulp or nerve. This can cause pain that may radiate to other teeth or up the jaw. In some cases, a dental cavity may result in a dental abscess.
First of all, the conditions that create a cavity on one tooth certainly can develop into cavities on your other teeth. In situations in which a cavity forms, is left untreated, and your tooth becomes infected, this infection can spread to surrounding teeth.
A tooth abscess is a pocket of pus from a bacterial infection in your gums. An abscess usually looks like a red, swollen bump, boil or pimple. It affects the involved tooth, but the infection can also spread to surrounding bone and neighboring teeth.
A toothache or tooth pain is caused when the nerve in the root of a tooth or surrounding a tooth is irritated. Dental (tooth) infection, decay, injury, or loss of a tooth are the most common causes of dental pain. Pain may also occur after an extraction (when a tooth is pulled out).
This happens very often in dentistry and it is called Referred Pain. The toothache pain has a way of traveling from the top to the bottom arch and vice-versa and can even feel as if the ear is involved.
Sharp, intense pain: Nerve toothache is often characterized by sharp, intense pain that may be constant or come and go in waves. Sensitivity to hot and cold: Nerve toothache may cause sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures, which can worsen the pain.
If you experience a generalized pain on both your top and bottom teeth, you may have an issue with teeth grinding. This diagnosis can also present with cold sensitivity, pressure sensitivity and facial or jaw pain. This is the most difficult type pain to self-diagnose because it presents in so many ways.
When it comes to a toothache, the brain doesn't discriminate. A new imaging study shows that to the brain, a painful upper tooth feels a lot like a painful lower tooth. The results, which will be published in the journal Pain, help explain why patients are notoriously bad at pinpointing a toothache.
Tooth nerve pain can feel severe like a sharp, stabbing pain or as little as a dull ache. If your tooth nerve is exposed, particular foods and drinks will probably trigger the pain. Pain in an exposed tooth nerve can be triggered by foods and drinks that are hot or cold, sugary, acidic, or sour.
If an infection in the affected tooth is left untreated, it can spread to your face and/or neck. Severe infections can move to even more distant parts of your body. In rare cases, the infection may become systemic, which can affect multiple tissues throughout the body.
A tooth abscess won't go away without treatment. If the abscess ruptures, the pain may improve a lot, making you think that the problem has gone away — but you still need to get dental treatment. If the abscess doesn't drain, the infection may spread to your jaw and to other areas of your head and neck.
Cardiac pain most commonly radiates to the left arm, shoulder, neck, and face. In rare instances, angina pectoris may present as dental pain. When this occurs, an improper diagnosis frequently leads to unnecessary dental treatment or, more significantly, a delay of proper treatment.
“Anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen, Advil, Motrin or naproxen work well with dental pain because they reduce inflammation,” says Huang. Recent data has shown the combination of Advil (ibuprofen) and Tylenol (acetaminophen) is as effective as prescription opioids for tooth pain.
If your dentist checks out your oral health and doesn't find anything, there could be a variety of possibilities to the true source of pain. This type of pain is known as referred pain. The types of referred pain patients can experience are related, but not limited, to: Congested or Infected Sinuses.
One of the easiest ways to determine if you have an infection rather than a cavity is to use water. Take a mouthful of lukewarm water and swish it around the tooth. If you have an infection, the cool water will help reduce inflammation.
A dentist can tap on the problem tooth to determine whether pain appears when adequate pressure is applied. The painful feeling can mean that a root canal is required. With the same idea, a specialist can use thermal and electric testing.
A sharp, stabbing pain always requires a visit to your dentist and will most likely require some sort of restorative dentistry treatment. Sharp pain could mean you have a cavity, a cracked or broken tooth, or you have an old dental restoration such as a crown or filling that needs attention.
Severe, throbbing tooth pain is a serious cause for concern. It may be caused by a broken tooth or untreated advanced gum disease (periodontitis) that has exposed your tooth's roots or nerves. Untreated tooth decay can also wear down your enamel so badly that it exposes the pulp layer within your tooth.
The exposure of the dentin tubules can lead to those sharp pains in your teeth, but you can have 24-hour relief with continued use of LISTERINE® Sensitivity. * Relief in two weeks, with continued use.
Take an over-the-counter pain reliever – Acetaminophen, ibuprofen, and other pain relievers can ease the pain. Use a cold compress – An ice pack or cold damp cloth can numb the area and can be especially helpful if you are experiencing swelling. Swish salt water or peroxide – These rinses can relieve inflammation.
Avoid too hot or cold beverages like coffees, teas, sodas, ice cream, or water. Avoid too hot food. Avoid sugary items such as soda, cookies, and candy. Avoid acidic items such as lemon juice, tomatoes, and apple cider vinegar.