Toothache does not only mean tooth caries

Generally, toothaches are caused by caries, however, some other reasons can cause toothaches and might be more serious, such as:

Bruxism

Bruxism is a para-functional movement that occurs due to excessive teeth grinding or jaw clenching. These movements result to enamel erosion, tooth cracks, as well as broken fillings and dentures and oose teeth. It can also cause tempo- mandibular joint disorders. Sudden and severe pain during biting and chewing and a dull pain in more than one tooth is felt due to the pressure from bruxing.

 A dull morning headache and unexplained facial and jaw pain are other complications of bruxism.

Impacted Wisdom Teeth

Often impacted wisdom teeth grow crooked or sideways due to lack of enough space. As they grow, they can push on neighboring molar and this can cause tooth movement, gum disease, or decay. It also becomes infected and swollen and can cause pain in the neighboring tooth and the ear or face.

Tooth sensitivity

Using a hard toothbrush, hard brushing or bruxism may damage the enamel. Gum disease can result in gum recession, and, at the same time, root surfaces are opened. Sometimes nerves are exposed because of the open root surfaces and weakens the enamel and this can trigger pain while eating cold or hot foods.

Gum disease

Beside tooth caries, the most common problems of the mouth are gingivitis and periodontitis which are bacterial infections. Gum disease usually does not cause pain, but causes discomfort while chewing.

The gum comprises delicate tissue and hard toothbrush, aggressive brushing and flossing or hard bread crust can easily injure your gums leading to pain.

Necrotizing Ulcerative Gingivitis and Periodontitis are uncommon acute gingival infections and generally associated with emotional stress and systemic health condition such as AIDS. They are characterized by painful ulcers at margin of gum and bleeding.

Another acute and painful infection of the gum is herpetic gingivostomatitis. It is caused by the herpes simplex virus. Numerous needle- head-sized vesicles are formed and when they rupture, they form painful irregular ulcers.  Gum abscess, canker sore (aphthous ulcer) and Behçet’s syndrome are other reasons for gum pain.

If you have pain that is not related to caries, it is best to visit your dentist as soon as possible to address the problem and prevent the condition from worsening.