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Posted on 12/15/2018 by Barbara Ketchum |
 Sometimes when you bite down on something, you experience pain – whether you just bit into a crisp apple, chewed on a bit of toffee, or crunched down on an ice cube, a sudden flare of agony hits you, and you realize you are now under the thrall of a toothache. The most pressing question on your mind then becomes "What caused this pain, and what can I do to stop it?" The Condition of Your TeethOne major source of your pain might be injured or cracked teeth. More than 40 million people worldwide grind their teeth, oftentimes at night without even realizing it, and this chips the teeth over time – revealing sensitive parts of your teeth that aren't meant to be exposed.You may also have cavities or gum disease, which can recede your gum line, create holes and cracks in your teeth, and lead to inflammation and sensitivity. This leads to a cruel cycle where the pain you feel now is just a warning of the more intense pain you'll feel next time. All of these are warning signs of a deeper underlying problem that you should speak with us about treating, before they get worse. The pain won't go away if you ignore it but continue to fester and develop until the next time it strikes. The Foods You Eat Other times, the culprit may simply be your diet. Hard foods in particular, like candies and apples, can wear away your cementum (the hardest layer of your teeth, that help you chomp down) and expose the dentin (the second, softer layer underneath.) As that is the layer that protects your nerve endings, a sudden crunch can impact your nerves and lead to an instant burst of pain. Likewise, foods high in acid can wear away at your teeth, revealing the sensitive tissues beneath, making that next cup of hot coffee splash around directly on your poor, unprepared nerves. If you are experiencing pain immediately upon eating, it may be a good idea to cut down on those damaging foods. Rinsing your mouth out with water immediately can also help nullify the wear and tear of acidic and spicy foods. Regardless of the type of pain you are suffering, you don't have to deal with it alone. Contact us today to see what our qualified specialists can do to make your tooth pain go away! |
