Many people realize that healthy teeth shouldn’t hurt, but if one or more of their teeth start to feel sensitive, they might not consider visiting the dentist immediately to find out why. When tooth sensitivity is minor, it doesn’t seem serious, especially if you don’t understand the reason behind it. Yet, in most cases, what starts as minor sensitivity can quickly become much more intense discomfort, which can indicate the problem behind your toothache has also gotten worse. Today, we take a look at what it could mean when your tooth starts to hurt, and why it’s important to take it seriously even if it seems minor at first.

Your toothbrush misses more than you know

When you brush and floss healthy teeth, they shouldn’t feel anything besides the pressure of the cleaning. This is because the highly mineralized tooth enamel surrounding them is the most resilient substance your body produces, and it protects your more sensitive main tooth structure from things that could irritate it. The point of cleaning your tooth enamel is to remove the buildup of oral bacteria that forms on it throughout the day. If you miss enough plaque with your toothbrush, the bacteria within it can begin to erode your healthy tooth enamel, making it weak and making your teeth more sensitive.

Your tooth is starting to get a cavity

The erosion of your tooth enamel is the first step in the process of tooth decay. If it isn’t stopped in time, it can lead to the formation of a cavity in your main tooth structure as the decay begins to erode it, as well. The development of a cavity may cause more intense tooth pain than the first stages of enamel erosion, and many people who develop one are prompted to visit their dentists because of it. Fortunately, the start of a cavity has a minimal impact on your healthy tooth structure, and addressing it promptly can help you restore your tooth and alleviate your toothache in a minimally invasive manner.

Your gums are exposing your tooth’s root

Your visible tooth structure, which is protected by enamel, can become compromised if its enamel becomes too weak. However, the roots of your teeth don’t share the same outer coating of protection and rely, instead, on the gums tissues that surround them. If your gums start to recede, which could be a sign of gingivitis (the first stage of gum disease), then the exposed tooth root can become increasingly more sensitive to food, beverages, oral bacteria, and more. The further gum disease progresses, the more of your tooth’s root may be exposed, and the condition may lead to tooth loss as a result.

Treat the cause of your toothache

When your tooth starts to hurt, you may need your dentist’s help to precisely diagnose the reason why, and to find the most appropriate treatment to alleviate it. For more information, schedule a consultation by calling Modern Smile in North Hollywood, CA, today at 818-763-9353. We also proudly serve patients who live in Burbank, Toluca Lake, and all surrounding communities.