Throbbing Tooth Pain That Comes And Goes — What Causes It?

Have you been experiencing sudden, intermittent bouts of tooth pain? Do these episodes of discomfort come and go, leaving you wondering what could be causing them? You’re not alone. It can be concerning to experience any type of pain in your mouth that doesn’t appear to have an obvious cause. Let’s look at some potential causes of throbbing tooth pain that comes and goes. 

 

What Causes Throbbing Tooth Pain?

Throbbing toothache can have many causes; however, the most common causes are: 

 

Tooth decay

Cavities occur when bacteria consume sugar in your mouth and create acid, which erodes the enamel on your teeth. 

 

Wisdom teeth

Pain related to wisdom teeth occurs when the wisdom tooth partially erupts, but the gum tissue around it remains intact. This can cause pressure to build up and result in pain. 

 

Tooth infection

Dental infections can be caused by an untreated dental abscess or gum disease. If the infection is severe enough, it can result in a throbbing sensation that comes and goes. 

 

Advanced gum disease

In addition to cavities and infections, gum disease can also lead to throbbing tooth pain that comes and goes. Gum disease is caused by a buildup of plaque on your teeth that irritates your gums. This leads to inflammation known as gingivitis. 

If left untreated, this inflammation can spread deeper into your gum tissue resulting in periodontal disease, which causes pockets between your teeth where food particles become trapped and further stimulate bacterial growth, which leads to further irritation and pain in your mouth. Gum disease can also affect the bone structure supporting your teeth, resulting in pain. 

 

Teeth grinding

Also known as bruxism, grinding your teeth at night puts a lot of pressure on them, resulting in pain. 

 

Sensitive teeth

Sensitivity occurs when the protective enamel on your teeth is removed, exposing the nerves (dental pulp). This can cause a sharp, throbbing pain in your teeth. 

 

Chipped or cracked tooth

Stress cracks or chips can occur if you eat something hard and put too much pressure on your teeth. These cracks and chips can lead to inflammation and pain. 

 

TMJ disorder

Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder is an issue with the jaw joint that can cause pain in the teeth when it’s inflamed or misaligned.

 

 

What is Throbbing Tooth Pain?

Toothaches can manifest in various ways, ranging from a dull and persistent ache to an intermittent throbbing pain that feels like your heart is beating inside of your mouth.

That nagging, pulsating ache in your teeth or jaw. That’s throbbing tooth pain. It can be fleeting or always present and is a sign that something isn’t right with your oral health.

By recognising the early signs of this discomfort, you can take actions to prevent any further damage before it becomes more severe. With prompt treatment and care, you’ll soon get back on track!

 

Diagnosing the Source of Throbbing Pain

Diagnosing the source of throbbing pain can be daunting, but understanding the underlying cause is key to minimising discomfort. We know that these episodes can vary significantly in severity and duration; however, our medical staff is qualified to address your concerns and provide recommendations for longer-term solutions specifically tailored to your circumstances.

With your help, we’ll work together to address your needs and get you back on your feet with less stress and more comfort quicker than you may expect. 

 

Identifying Areas of Tenderness and Swelling

When helping to diagnose a toothache, dentists often ask their patients to identify areas of tenderness and swelling in the mouth and jaw region.

This is an important step for toothache treatment. In order to accurately understand what is causing the toothache, it’s critical for dentists to know exactly where it’s located.

Our dentists rely on this information to determine the next course of action. After patients point out these areas of tenderness and swelling, our dentist will use their expertise to devise a toothache treatment plan that works best for the patient.

 

Checking for Visible Signs of Injury or Infection

Checking for visible signs of injury or infection is an essential part of how a dentist diagnoses a toothache. It’s important to examine the patient’s mouth in detail, as physical signs, such as colour changes, swellings, and tenderness, can help pinpoint the source of the problem.

Being aware of these subtle indicators can enable the dentist to swiftly and accurately address the issue. Moreover, properly examining the entire oral cavity can detect a greater variety of issues from visual cues alone, allowing for further diagnosis and prevention when necessary.

 

Treatment Options for Throbbing Pain

Millions of people experience toothaches at some point, making finding an effective and efficient toothache treatment a priority. 

 

Tooth fillings

Tooth fillings are one of the most common toothache treatments. Filling tooth cavities helps to restore teeth, helping to prevent further decay and ensuring more natural dental health. This procedure aims to bring patients pain relief by stabilising their tooth structure and improving tooth integrity. 

 

Crowns

Crowns are an important toothache treatment that can help to restore teeth to their full functionality. Generally, crowns cover the entire visible part of a tooth which allows them to shield weak or damaged tooth enamel from further harm. 

 

Root canal treatment

Root canal treatment is an effective and common toothache treatment option. It involves removing the infected pulp from inside a tooth, cleaning the area, and then filling and sealing it.

While root canal therapy can sometimes be a lengthy process, with multiple visits to the dentist required, it is often successful in relieving tooth pain and preserving tooth structure that would otherwise need to be removed due to infection.

If conducted in a timely manner, root canal therapy may help you avoid more serious dental health issues later on down the line. 

 

Medications

Medications can be extremely helpful when it comes to toothache treatment. Although toothaches have traditionally been managed with over-the-counter medicines, stronger medications are sometimes necessary for the relief of toothache pain.

Different medications may be prescribed depending on the underlying cause of the toothache, and new developments in toothache treatments mean that more potent medications can now provide faster relief.

Taking steps to prevent toothaches in the first place is always beneficial. Our dentists will ensure you are relaxed throughout the entire process and given sufficient post-operative care to ensure recurrence of any toothache incidents is minimal in the long run.

 

Conclusion

If you’re dealing with a throbbing tooth pain that comes and goes, seeing a dentist right away is essential for identifying the underlying cause of your discomfort. The dentist can provide appropriate treatment options based on their diagnosis and help get you back on track towards optimal oral health! Do not hesitate; to make an appointment today!

At St. Leonards Green Dental, we understand the importance of proper oral care. We are a team of experienced dental professionals that provide compassionate and comprehensive dental services to our patients. Schedule an appointment with us by calling on (02) 9158 6211 today for a full evaluation and treatment plan that’s best suited for your needs. We look forward to helping you obtain optimal oral health! 

 

 

Sources

Toothache and swelling
https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/toothache-and-swelling

Abscess
https://www.mouthhealthy.org/all-topics-a-z/abscess/

Tooth pain
https://www.aae.org/patients/dental-symptoms/tooth-pain/

Tooth decay
https://www.nidcr.nih.gov/health-info/tooth-decay

Toothache
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/toothache/