Toothache can affect anyone at any age, and everyone dreads visiting their dentist for this unfortunate purpose. Toothache typically refers to a nagging, aching, and persistent pain in or around the tooth. When the nerve root of the tooth is irritated, it causes excruciating pain in the tooth, the surrounding teeth, and sometimes even the jaw.

Causes and Risk Factors

Toothache can be caused by several factors, and dental cavity is the most common cause. Dental cavity, or caries, occurs when the enamel and the dentin protecting the inner living tissue of the teeth (known as pulp) are eroded as a result of improper dental hygiene.

Gingivitis or gum disease can also lead to toothache. The inflammation of the soft tissue surrounding the teeth is referred to as gum disease and it is caused when plaque (a mixture of saliva, bacteria, and food) is deposited along the gum line. Bleeding gums are the only symptoms observed during the early stages of gum disease, which may not be accompanied by any toothache. Advanced gum disease causes agonizing toothaches and the bone loss around the teeth results in gum pockets. Bacterial infection in these pockets can aggravate the condition of already sensitive gums and it leads to swelling, pain, and further bone loss.

Tooth extraction can also cause pain in the area from where the tooth has been pulled out and also in the surrounding areas including the adjacent teeth and jaw.

An exposed tooth root can also lead to sensitivity and cause toothache. This can happen if the gums recede or are damaged by brushing vigorously.

Cracked tooth syndrome, caused by a broken tooth or a tooth fracture, can also lead to sharp pain in the tooth. A tooth fracture may be caused by chewing or biting hard candies, nuts, or other tough-to-chew foods.

Impacted tooth (because of teeth pressing together) or tooth eruption (because of a growing tooth) can also lead to severe pain. Impacted tooth is a very painful condition and requires pain medication, antibiotics, and surgical removal. It is commonly associated with the growth of wisdom teeth.

Toothache is also commonly mistaken for pain that sometimes originates from other areas and radiates to the jaw. The most common conditions that cause jaw pain are Temporo-Mandibular Joint (TMJ) Syndrome, ear pain, and some heart disorders.

Dental trauma can also lead to toothache. Any injury to the mouth or teeth, which can result from an accidental fall, sports activity, fight, and motor accident, may cause intense toothache.

Improper dental hygiene is a leading risk factor of toothache. Age-related degeneration of teeth enamel and bone loss can also cause toothache.

Age: As age increases, the vein walls lose their elasticity and the valves become weaker. Individuals who are over 50 years old are more susceptible to this condition.
Gender: Women are more likely than men to have varicose veins and this is mainly because of hormonal fluctuations. Pregnancy, menstruation, and menopause can cause varicose veins. In fact, several women develop varicose veins during pregnancy. Pregnancy increases the volume of blood in the body but simultaneously decreases the flow of blood from the legs to the pelvis. This system ensures that the growing fetus receives all of the necessary nutrients. However, an unfortunate side effect of this system is the formation of enlarged veins in the legs during pregnancy.
Genetics: It is believed that varicose veins may also be hereditary. If anyone in your immediate family has experienced varicose veins, then the chance of you suffering from this condition increases greatly.
Obesity: Overweight individuals have a greater risk of developing enlarged veins because the excess body weight inflicts excessive pressure on the veins of their legs.
Posture: If your profession involves standing or remaining in the same position for long hours, you may be susceptible to developing varicose veins. This contributes to the development of varicose veins because remaining in a fixed position for a long duration may disrupt blood circulation and recirculation.

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