We all know how it feels to get a toothache – it’s never pleasant. There are a number of things which can cause a toothache, which means that we can there are preventative measures which can be taken to ensure that our risk of having one of these dreaded aches can be minimised or avoided.

We all know that we should brush our teeth twice a day and floss regularly, but what are some of the most common causes of toothache? GPlus Dental are the experts when it comes to your dental health in Singapore and our team of highly qualified dentists and nurses have the answers to all of your questions.

A toothache usually manifests itself in the form of a pain or soreness in your tooth or gum. While you may suspect that you know the cause of this pain, it is important to consult a professional dentist so that the problem can be diagnosed promptly, solved, and measures can be taken to ensure that it is not repeated in the future.

Tooth decay is one of the most common causes of a toothache. Plaque builds up on your teeth over time and this will eventually react with the starches and sugars in your mouth to produce an acid that can break down the enamel on your teeth and cause a cavity. While a cavity may be painless, the decay may eventually spread inside it and attack the inside of your tooth. This may cause sensitivity or pain in time.

Another common cause of toothaches is bruxism. Bruxism refers to the act of tooth grinding and jaw clenching. You may not even know it, but you could be grinding your teeth and clenching your jaw in your sleep every night. This can be extremely harmful to your teeth and in time cause pain. Your dentist will know if this has been happening after examining your teeth and will provide you with a specially fitted mouth guard to wear at night that will minimise the damage caused by bruxism.

A dental abscess has the potential to cause great pain. An abscess usually occurs when a cavity is left untreated and the pulp chamber of the tooth becomes infected due to a build up of bacteria. Your tooth will try to rid itself of this infection and this will make it extremely sensitive to the touch but may also be in constant pain otherwise. It is imperative that you visit your dentist as soon as possible when this happens for immediate treatment.

If one of your teeth gets cracked, this has the potential to cause great damage and, further, pain. There are, of course, many ways in which a tooth can get cracked – biting into something hard, for example. As described above, bruxism over a long period of time can cause cracks and fissures in your teeth too. If you suspect that you have cracked a tooth, it is important to visit your dentist even if there is no pain to ensure that a toothache does not soon follow.

Another common cause of toothache is pulpitis, whereby your tooth’s pulp becomes inflamed. This inflammation can cause a really unpleasant feeling and great discomfort if not treated. Pulpitis can cause the tooth and the surrounding area to become extremely sensitive and should be treated by a dentist as soon as possible.

GPlus Dental are the professionals in Singapore when it comes to your dental health and hygiene. Our dedicated dentists have the answers to all of the problems described above and will be sure to make you smile again, no matter how bad a toothache may seem.