3 Possible Reasons Why Your Tooth Is Aching Deep Inside Your Gums
Having your toothache is annoying and worrying, but experiencing pain far beneath the surface of your teeth might strike you as odd. Why would your tooth hurt where it can't be touched by food or drink? If you're going through this, read on to discover three of the most likely causes of your discomfort.
1. Gum Disease
Gum disease is a problem where your gums become infected, irritated, and swollen. The gums support your teeth all the way down to the root, so what the gums go through the tooth often follows.
If your gums are irritated, they may be swollen down at the root of your tooth. This swelling could potentially be squeezing the root of your tooth, resulting in pain. Over time, this swelling could potentially reduce circulation in your tooth, which is dangerous and unhealthy. If you're experiencing gum disease, get help from a dentist.
2. Root Inflammation
Tooth roots can become inflamed, too. This can be due to an infection within the tooth itself, or due to a problem like tooth resorption. In tooth resorption, the tooth is gradually reabsorbed from the inside out. This can lead to extreme irritation and inflammation in the root of the tooth, which manifests as pain. In this case, the visible part of your tooth may appear completely healthy. However, an x-ray will reveal any problems going on under the surface.
If your root is inflamed, the treatment will depend on the cause and severity of the condition. In worst-case scenarios, a root canal may be necessary. However, if there's an infection, your dentist may be able to save the root of your tooth with the use of antibiotics.
3. Tooth Decay
Lastly, tooth decay is a common cause of tooth pain, even deep beneath your gums. When a tooth decays, the decay can often work its way inward and down through the interior of the tooth. Since the outside of the tooth is coated in enamel, it may take longer for the cavity to appear to grow larger on the outside, even though it could be simultaneously making its way through the interior of the tooth with ease.
Any one of these problems can cause irritation and pain deep inside your gums. If you suspect that you might have one or more of these problems, don't put off talking to a dentist. Getting help now could mean the difference between a simple dental cleaning and exam or having to have a full root canal.
For more information, contact a dentist like Elizabeth Loseke DDS.