Why Do My Teeth Hurt? Common Causes and Easy Treatment Tips
Learn why your teeth hurt, the common causes like cavities, sensitivity, gum issues, and infections, and discover simple treatment options to relieve pain.
Have you ever felt a sudden toothache or a strange, ongoing pain in your teeth and wondered, “Why do my teeth hurt?” You are not alone—many people experience this at some point. Sometimes the pain is mild, and other times it can be strong enough to make it difficult to eat, sleep, or even talk comfortably.
Even though tooth pain does not always mean something serious, it should never be ignored. Your teeth may be warning you that something needs attention. Tooth pain can come from sensitive teeth, cavities, tooth infections, gum problems, or habits like grinding or clenching your teeth. Eating too many acidic foods can also weaken enamel and make the pain worse.
This blog helps you understand these causes better so you can choose the right treatment option for your situation.
Gum Problems That Cause Tooth Pain
Your gums protect your teeth, but when gum disease starts, you may feel toothaches even though the tooth itself looks fine. When gums swell or start to pull back (this is called gum recession), the roots of your teeth become exposed. These roots are very sensitive, so hot, cold, or sweet foods may suddenly hurt a lot.
GingivitisGingivitis is the first stage of gum disease. Your gums may look red or puffy, and they might even bleed when you brush your teeth. It can also cause bad breath and mild toothaches.
PeriodontitisPeriodontitis is a more serious stage of gum disease. It does not only affect your gums—it can damage the bones and tissues that hold your teeth in place. If periodontitis gets worse, it can even make your teeth loose or cause tooth loss.
Treatments
A professional cleaning removes plaque and tartar that brushing cannot reach. This helps protect your gums and stop gum disease from getting worse. Good home care—like brushing and flossing every day—keeps your gums strong, clean, and healthy. Both professional cleaning and at-home care are important for long-term oral health.
Tooth decay, also known as cavities, happens when bacteria mix with sugar and form acids. These acids slowly weaken dental enamel and create tiny holes in your teeth. If tooth decay is not treated, the pain can get worse and may even lead to infection.
Common Signs of Tooth Decay
Sensitivity to Hot, Cold, or Sweet Foods:If your teeth hurt when you drink something hot or cold, or when you eat something sweet, this may mean you already have tooth decay or cavities.
Visible Holes or Dark Spots:Little holes or dark marks on your teeth show that your enamel has been damaged. These are early signs of cavities forming.
Bleeding Gums or Bad Breath:Bacteria from tooth decay can irritate your gums or cause infection, which leads to bleeding or bad breath. This needs a dentist’s attention.
Persistent or Throbbing Tooth Pain:When decay reaches the nerves inside your tooth, the pain becomes stronger and harder to ignore.
Treatments
Fillings and crowns help fix the damaged parts of your teeth. They restore strength, protect enamel, and prevent further decay. Our preventive care helps protect your smile from tooth decay and cavities.
Sensitive Teeth from Worn Enamel
Enamel is the strong outer layer of your teeth. It protects your teeth from damage. When this enamel wears down, the inner parts of your teeth become exposed, making them sensitive to hot, cold, or sugary foods. This happens because the nerves inside your tooth are no longer fully protected.
Common Causes of Enamel Wear
Brushing Too HardOver brushing will wear away your enamel and make your teeth sensitive. This enamel loss increases pain during daily chewing or brushing.
Acidic Foods or DrinksToo much acid weakens your enamel and more prone to decay. That leads to damaged teeth and sensitivity.
Teeth Grinding (Bruxism)Strong pressure, like grinding on your teeth, leads to enamel damage. It causes jaw soreness and increases your teeth sensitivity.
Poor Oral HygieneIt lets plaque build-up and raises cavity growth. Poor oral care can cause your enamel to wear and sensitive teeth.
Treatments
Fluoride treatments strengthen your remaining enamel to reduce sensitivity. Bonding shields your tooth from additional damage. Our professional care manages enamel wear effectively. We reduce your discomfort and keep your smile healthy and strong.
Teeth Grinding or Clenching (Bruxism)
Bruxism happens when you grind your teeth at night or clench them during the day, often because of stress. This habit wears down enamel and exposes the inner layers of your teeth. It can also cause jaw soreness, headaches, and facial pain.
Common Signs of Bruxism
Worn, Chipped, or Flattened Teeth
Grinding or clenching damages and weakens your enamel over time. Makes your teeth worned, chipped, or flattened.
Grinding while sleeping strains your jaw and causes facial soreness. It can make it hard to open your mouth when you wake up.
Tension from grinding or clenching can affect your head and face. It leads to severe headaches or pain in your ear.
Increased Tooth Sensitivity
Enamel loss exposes the nerves inside your teeth. It increases the feeling of sensitivity to hot, cold, or sweet foods.
Treatments
A custom mouthguard helps protect your teeth at night and reduces stress on your jaw.
We provide treatments to help control bruxism, protect your teeth, and relieve your pain.
Tooth Infections or Abscesses
A tooth infection or abscess happens when bacteria enter your tooth or gums. This can be caused by decay, gum disease, or injury. The infection creates pus and leads to severe pain.
Common Signs of Tooth Infection
Swelling Around Your Tooth or JawShows that your tooth infection is spreading into your nearby tissues. It causes inflammation and swelling.
Throbbing or Sharp Tooth PainYou feel this pain when tooth infection has reached your nerves. It may indicate a developing abscess in your teeth.
Fever or General Unwell FeelingOne of the signs that your body is fighting for bacterial infection. It happens when your tooth infection becomes more serious.
Bleeding Gums or Bad TasteThis can happen when your gums are irritated, abscesses, or infected. Often comes from bad bacteria or plaque build-up.
A tooth infection needs immediate dental care to stop it from spreading and harming your health. If you notice these signs, visit us right away. Early treatment can save your tooth and protect your overall health.
Jaw or Bite Alignment Issues
If your jaw or teeth do not align properly, it can cause pressure and pain. This may also affect your jaw joint, known as the TMJ.
Common Symptoms of Alignment Issues
Jaw Clicking or PoppingJaw clicking or popping can indicate TMJ or bite misalignment. It strains your mouth, making it hard to open or talk.
Regular dental check-upsRegular dental check-ups help catch problems early, before they become emergencies. Going early can save you pain and anxiety later.
Headaches, Earaches, or Facial PainTension in your jaw muscles can spread to your head and face. Results are headaches, earaches, or facial pain.
Sore Teeth or Jaw StiffnessYour teeth feel sore, and your jaw is stiff in the morning. This happens from grinding your teeth while you sleep.
Difficulty Chewing or Uneven Tooth WearThis occurs because of your misaligned teeth or bite problems. Causes uneven tooth wear, cracks, or damage, making it hard to chew.
Treatments
Dental or orthodontic treatments can help. They correct and align your jaw and bite alignment issues. Bite adjustments, mouthguards, braces, Invisalign, or clear aligners are your best options. We help relieve jaw discomfort and correct bite issues effectively. Our oral care services restore alignment and address TMJ problems.
You should visit our dentist if you experience:
Persistent or sharp toothaches
Mild sensitivity that might signal dental problems
Signs of decay, gum issues, or damaged teeth
Any concern where early diagnosis prevents bigger issues
Symptoms that can lead to infection
Pain that affects your daily life
At Miranda Dental Centre, we provide complete dental care. We check why your tooth hurts and treat it immediately. Our goal is to keep your teeth healthy, protect your gums, and prevent future problems.
Visit Miranda Dental Centre for Relief from Tooth Pain
Tooth pain is treatable—so you don’t have to suffer. At Miranda Dental Centre, our caring team uses a gentle approach to relieve discomfort and offers advanced dental treatments to protect your teeth and gums. If your teeth hurt, we can help by finding the exact cause and providing personalised, effective treatment.
Our modern techniques and supportive environment help you feel comfortable during every visit. Book a consultation online or call us at 02 9540 1044 to receive expert advice and treatment tailored to your dental needs.
