Five Reasons—Other Than Cavities—that Give You a Toothache

Cavities aren’t necessarily the only reason behind toothaches. While they are the common factor for many, there are still various other health conditions that can cause pain in your pearly whites.

Here, we will list five of the more common reasons.

Why Do You Have a Toothache without any Cavities?

v Sinus Infection

If it’s flu season, you might not have a tooth issue after all. Sinus infections sometimes affect the roots of certain teeth that sit right near our sinuses. The pressure from the infection causes our teeth to mimic the strength, thus giving us pain. Instead of going to the dentist, try to use some antibiotics as prescribed by your physician. If the problem persists, then visit the dentist.

v Bruxism

Clenching or grinding your teeth can also cause a bad toothache. When we grind our teeth, we exert so much pressure that the tooth and gums become weak. If you are aware of this condition, it’s important that your dentist evaluates you so that you can get a mouth guard. Bruxism can range from mild to severe as well, so you may need extra care if your dentist prescribes it.

v Gum Infection

Gum disease or periodontitis affects nearly half of the U.S. adult population; however, not many of us have proper knowledge of the symptoms. Gum disease occurs when the bacteria buildup becomes so great that the body is not able to fight it off. The symptoms can range from pain, swelling, or a pimple above your teeth to even a slight bad taste in your mouth. If your pain is paired with any of these symptoms, it’s crucial that you go to your dentist straightaway so they can clean out the gum region around the infected tooth.

v Tooth Trauma

The problem with tooth trauma is that the pain can occur years after the trauma has happened. So if you were involved in an incident where you fell or damaged a tooth, or were in an accident where the force affected your mouth and jaw, the pain could surface years later. Check your teeth for any discoloration or temperature sensitivity. Often, if a tooth has died, that can cause severe pain as well.

v Cracked Tooth

If the crack is to your front teeth, you may be able to see the damage. However, damage to your back teeth can cause more difficulty since there is no visibility. The best way to determine a cracked tooth is to judge any temperature sensitivity that may be occurring alongside the pain.

Visit the Dentist

At Advanced Dental Center, we also offer a complete range of dentistry services to patients that are anxious about dental health. If you feel that any of the above reasons are the cause of your dental ache, call (301) 353-8890 to obtain our services in Gaithersburg, Frederick, Germantown, and Rockville, MD.