DENTAL HEALTH - WHY DOES MY TOOTH HURT?

At Comprehensive Dental Care (CDC), we hope to diagnose and treat your dental problems in a manner you are comfortable with. There are many different problems people can experience with their teeth, gums and mouth and the total picture is always individual.

However, many problems occur regularly and as such, we have included a list of the most common dental problems we encounter in day-to-day dental practice. These conditions represent approximately three quarters of the dental problems we see in dental practice. If you believe you have a problem - contact us so that we can correctly diagnose your dental issue. It is unfortunate but a fact that delaying treatment often leads in only one direction - TOOTH LOSS.

Please, do not see this as a definitive diagnostic tool. It is simply a guide that might assist you in understanding your current problem and what can possibly be done for you at CDC.

Sensitivity to cold (especially air), more so at the gum line.


Likely cause:
Receded gum & exposed tooth root. This is often the result of incorrect tooth brushing technique with a too hard bristled toothbrush.

Why does it hurt?
The tooth root surface is normally sensitive to air, touch, cold drinks, etc. Fine nerve endings in the dentine (tooth root material) only send a message of pain to the brain if they are stimulated. It is not fair but that's how it is!

What can I do?
If the area is decay free (they usually are) - desensitising toothpastes often help. If they do not help or decay is present, small restorations (fillings) with a tooth coloured adhesive filling material (e.g. glass ionomer cement) often solves the problem.

Sensitivity to cold and possibly sweet - more so between teeth.


Likely cause:
Early - intermediate tooth decay (Dental Caries)

Why does it hurt?
The decay (caused by bacterial action) expose areas if dentine to the oral environment. Like the exposed tooth root discussed above, anything that stimulates the fine nerve fibres in the dentine (cold liquids, sweet solutions or foods) will send a pain message to your brain.

What can I do?
Call your dentist. Treatment usually involves removal of the infected tooth tissue and its replacement with a restorative filling material (a "Filling").

Sensitivity to cold and hot items.


Likely cause:
More advanced tooth decay. Possibly associated with a cracked tooth.

Why does it hurt?
The Pulp (what you might call the Nerve of the tooth) is inflamed because of the deep dental caries (decay process). The inflamed pulp sends pain messages to your brain when stimulated. Treatment to remove the decayed tissue is required.

What can I do?
Call your dentist. A large or deep restoration (filling) is usually required. Because of the possibility of damage to the tooth pulp, this tooth will need to be reviewed. The pulp may not recover and the future need for Root Canal Treatment will need to be considered.

Sensitivity to cold, hot and pressure on tooth.


Likely cause:
Similar to above - with almost certainly the further complication of a cracked tooth.

Why does it hurt?
As above - The pulp is inflamed because of the deep dental caries. Biting on the tooth either allows the crack to open or pushes the tooth roots into inflamed areas around the root tips. The pain tends to linger on after your stop the stimulus.

What can I do?
Call your dentist. You will need to discuss treatment options for this tooth (or teeth) that almost certainly will involve root canal treatment or tooth removal.

Sensitivity to cold and biting on tooth (it makes you jump).


Likely cause:
A crack in your tooth

Why does it hurt?
As the crack opens when you bite down, the dentine sends the pain message to your brain (ouch!!).

What can I do?
Call your dentist. Often - a splinted tooth restoration will settle the pain on eating. Medium to long-term, a Crown is your best option (after assess that the tooth pulp is OK).

Soreness to biting on tooth, swelling on gum/ tissues about tooth.


Likely cause:
A non-vital (or dead, infected) pulp.

Why does it hurt?
When you bite down, you push the tooth roots into inflamed, often infected bone tissue around the root tips (double ouch!!). This problem often hurts the most over night, waking you up with severe pain.

What can I do?
Call your dentist. A decision will need to be made re this tooth, Treatment is only root canal treatment (and later crown - if this is possible) or the removal of the tooth.


Sore, bleeding gums.


Likely cause:
Gum disease.

Why does it hurt?
The inflamed, infected gums are letting you know they are not in a healthy condition.

What can I do?
Call your dentist. A thorough cleaning of all your teeth in probably overdue.


Sore, bleeding gums, wobbly teeth.


Likely cause:
Advanced gum disease.

Why does it hurt?
As above, the inflamed, infected gums and bone supporting your teeth are letting you know they are not in a healthy condition.

What can I do?
Call your dentist. Gum disease leads to tooth loss.