Tooth pain may lead some people to think they have a cavity. However, decay is not the only reason for toothaches. Some aches are easy to fix, while others require seeing a dentist to avoid further oral health issues and pain. Below are non-cavity tooth pain reasons to help you determine what’s causing your dental discomfort. 

What Are Common Reasons For Tooth Pain? 

1. Stuck Food Particle

If a popcorn kernel or another piece of hard food gets lodged between your teeth, the resulting pressure can cause pain. However, flossing is usually enough to remove the particles and relieve the discomfort. It's important to never use anything other than floss or a related product, such as a water flosser, to clean between your teeth and gums, as sharp objects can damage sensitive mouth tissue. If the pain persists after removing the particle, the tooth might be fractured and need a dental crown to prevent further problems. 

2. Enamel Wear

Enamel is the white, hard outer layer protecting sensitive underlying tooth materials, including dentin and dental pulp. However, the protective material wears away from factors such as teeth grinding, aggressive brushing, and immediately brushing after eating or drinking something acidic. As enamel wears down, tooth sensitivity increases, which can make standing in cold temperatures or consuming hot and cold foods and beverages uncomfortable. 

Some practical steps to prevent enamel wear include gentle brushing with a soft-bristled toothbrush, using a nightguard to prevent grinding, and waiting at least 30 minutes to brush after eating and drinking. It is also possible to restore mild enamel loss with remineralizing toothpaste and fluoride treatments from a dentist. Additionally, dental sealants and bonding provide solutions for severe enamel erosion.

3. Erupting Wisdom Teeth

Some wisdom teeth remain beneath the surface of the gums, while others erupt through the gums, causing pain. Tooth extraction services prevent these teeth from becoming infected and causing abscesses, which are pockets of pus that form around the tooth root. Timely extractions also stop wisdom teeth from crowding your regular teeth, which can make them crooked and misaligned. The risk of tooth decay increases because cleaning between teeth becomes challenging. 

Wisdom tooth extraction involves either nitrous oxide or IV sedation, depending on your preferences. While healing can take up to six weeks, it is generally possible to resume your normal schedule one day after surgery. 

If your tooth pain requires professional attention, make an appointment with Dr. Richard R. Miller Jr., DDS. The dentist serves residents throughout Summerville and Fairmount, GA, offering a wide variety of services that include routine checkups, cosmetic dentistry, and root canal therapy. Contact the Summerville office at (706) 857-4741 or the Fairmount office at (706) 337-3347 to make your appointment, and visit the practice online for more information.