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What Are the Common Causes of Jaw and Tooth Pain?

We quite often see patients at our Leeds surgery who have problems with either an aching jaw or toothache, and this can be due to several different reasons. The pain can also differ considerably as it can be triggered by hot and cold foods and liquids, it may be constant or a shooting pain, or it might be a dull ache. Any signs of dental pain are always worth investigating just in case they are being caused by a serious health condition.

Bruxism or Teeth Grinding

This is a common cause of tooth pain and jaw pain, and many people are completely unaware they have this habit as it generally occurs during the night. This means the condition can go undiagnosed for quite some time. Bruxism damages the teeth and the jaw, and your dentist is often the first to notice this is happening. Teeth may appear shorter than before as they become worn down, and chips and cracks may develop in the tooth enamel. The constant grinding and clenching also affects the jaw, specifically the temporomandibular joint that’s responsible for moving the lower jaw as it can become inflamed and painful.

It’s thought this problem can arise in response to stressful situations, but it can also occur if the upper and lower jaws aren’t aligned correctly. If you visit Leeds City Dentalcare for regular check-ups then any signs of this condition are more likely to be picked up quickly before it can cause any extensive damage.

Wisdom Teeth

Wisdom teeth can present a problem and might cause pain as there’s often too little room for them to erupt normally. This means they can become impacted and need removal. If you’re a regular visitor to our Leeds surgery then it’s highly likely any potential problems with your wisdom teeth will have already been detected through dental x-rays, so hopefully the offending teeth can be removed before they cause you any pain.

Dental Abscesses

Dental abscesses can arise due to a bacterial infection in the tooth which results in pus building up around the root of the tooth or in the tissue surrounding it. An abscessed tooth can be extremely painful and may even cause localised swelling. If you think you may have an abscessed tooth then you do need to seek treatment as soon as possible as the abscess will need to be drained and you might need antibiotics to treat the infection. Having regular dental check-ups with Dr David Brown or any of our dentists is the best way to avoid dental abscesses as they occur when the tooth becomes damaged or decayed, allowing bacteria to enter the central part of the tooth causing infection.

Preventative Dental Care Is the Best Way to Minimise the Risk of Dental Pain

Being in any sort of pain is never pleasant, but preventative dental care with our dentist in Leeds can greatly help to minimise the risk. Regular dental care enables our dental team to pick up on any small problems so they can be treated quickly and effectively before you even begin to notice anything is wrong. Through attending our surgery at regular intervals, you’ll be helping to protect your teeth, gums and jaw from damage and infection. You’ll also benefit from the peace of mind that comes from having regular dental check-ups.

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