Dentist's Explanation] Why does my tooth hurt even though I don't have a cavity? The reason why your back teeth hurt and how to deal with it.
Dental pain is generally difficult to discontinue.
Since the dental nerve is a nerve that comes from the brain, it has very acute sensation, and when the pain becomes severe, it can even hurt the head.
Of course, the cause of a toothache can be due to tooth decay.
However, some teeth may hurt for reasons other than tooth decay.
What are the causes of toothache other than tooth decay?
1) What causes toothache due to cavities?
Teeth are dissolved by toxins (acids) produced by bacteriaThe following is a list of the most common problems with the
This is the beginning of tooth decay.
The teeth are made up of three layers,
It is composed of enamel, dentin, and pulp (tooth nerve) from the superficial layer.
When decay reaches the dentin, people may feel pain.
This is because dentin has structures called dentin tubules that transmit stimuli to the pulp.
Even if the dentin tubules are invaded by bacteria, not all of them cause pain.
Of course, if the decay reaches the pulp of the tooth, there is an even higher probability of pain.
It is important to treat cavities before they become painful, rather than after they become painful.
(2) Why does my tooth hurt even though it is not a cavity?
In fact, tooth decay is not the only cause of tooth pain.
There are many causes other than tooth decay.
Teeth are located in the mouth where the senses are very acute.
There are many other tissues in the mouth besides teeth, and thereInflammation or a mass formation can cause a tooth to feel sore.
The mouth is also an important organ in terms of speaking and eating functions.
The pain can be further amplified by the complex functions of the mouth working simultaneously.
(iii) Not a cavity, but a tooth is the cause and how to deal with it.
❶Periodontal disease
Periodontal disease is an inflammation of the periodontal tissue that supports the teeth.
The tooth is not damaged, but the tissue near the tooth is inflamed,
Teeth may feel sore. Periodontal disease is most often caused by stains (plaque) on the teeth.
In other words, daily care of the mouth is very important to avoid periodontal disease.
In addition, regular visits to the dentist and maintenance are also effective in preventing periodontal disease.
Even if you have gum disease, if you receive proper treatment at the dentist's office, your condition will often improve except for severe gum disease.
❷ sinusitis
Pain around the back teeth of the upper jaw may indicate sinusitis.
In the case of sinusitis, the sinuses appear white when the nose feels nasal obstruction or when an x-ray is taken.
Sinusitis is caused by bacterial infection of the sinuses.
Two ways of infection: through the nose or through the teeth.There is a
It can be difficult to determine.
If the infection is from the nose, you should see an otolaryngologist.soot (of burnt pine needles, etc.)I will
If it is caused by a tooth, it is most likely an infection from the root of the tooth,
The root of the tooth is treated to control bacterial infection.
❸Articulating trauma
When strong forces are applied to the teeth, they may become bruised.
Here.occlusive traumaIt is called.
Occlusal trauma is caused by clenching, grinding, or strong biting forces.
Teeth are bone companions, so that even if the bones are bruised, they will heal if placed in a resting position,Most teeth will eventually heal if they are placed at rest.
if necessary (needed)Adjusting occlusion or making a mouthpieceThe following are some examples.
Fractured ❹ teeth
As occlusal trauma worsens, teeth may fracture.
In addition, in inactive teeth (without nerves), the teeth are weaker and more prone to fracture.
Some of these teeth may break even if they are living teeth.
It is caused by clenching, clenching, and strong biting forces as well as occlusal trauma.
It depends on how the tooth is fractured,Basically, the treatment is tooth extractionThe first two are the following.
❺ Tumors and cysts
Tumors (boils) and cysts (bags of pus) can also form on teeth.
It is often detected by x-rays, CT, or other examinations, but may cause pain in the tooth.
The causes can vary from stress, aging, mechanical irritation, etc., but the difficulty in identifying the cause is characteristic of tumors and cysts.
In case of inflammatory cysts or benign tumors, they can be removed, but in case of malignant tumors, they should be excised.
If it is difficult to handle at a general dentist's office, the patient may be referred to a large university hospital or other hospital.
4) What should I do if I have a toothache?
Although dental pain is usually considered difficult to endure,
Some of them may take painkillers and live with the situation, or make their own decisions and see what happens.
Of course, you can wait and see for a few days, but if the pain becomes more severe or persists continuously,
If you are uncertain...It is wise not to hesitate to see your family dentist.
Basically, the worse a dental disease gets, the more difficult it is likely to be to save the tooth.
It is very important to preserve as many teeth as possible to maintain oral function.
summary
There is a wide range of dental pain other than tooth decay.
The mouth has very acute senses and is sensitive to even the slightest pain.
It is dangerous to easily judge yourself as having a cavity even if you feel a toothache.
If you feel a toothache, you should first see your dentist. Of course, it is also important to perform regular maintenance to avoid toothache.
Written by dentist/issy
After graduating from the National School of Dentistry, he trained at the Tokyo Medical and Dental University Dental Hospital, and is currently working in general and orthodontic dentistry.
Member of the Japanese Society of Oral Implantology