When you wake up with a dull pain in your mouth or notice one side of your mouth is more tender than the other, it's usually pretty obvious that something might be wrong with one of your teeth. But what's causing that pain? Where does it come from? In this blog post, we will go through the layers (literally) of the tooth to investigate where tooth pain comes from and what you can do, with the help of an endodontist, to fix it.

Anatomy of a tooth

On the outside, your teeth just seem like bones sitting in your mouth helping you to chew. But, in reality, they're much more than that. They're complex, with layers that form the parts of your tooth that each play a vital role:

• Enamel: The hard, protective outer layer;

• Dentin: A sensitive layer beneath the enamel;

• Pulp: The soft tissue deep inside containing nerves and blood vessels.

The nerve endings in your teeth’s pulp make them exquisitely sensitive. These nerves trigger the sharp, throbbing pain you feel when something isn't quite right. As board-certified endodontists, we're hyper focused on the pulp where those nerves and blood vessels (the "root") are.

Root canal pain

Sometimes, bacteria can get into the pulp of your tooth and cause an infection, which is one of the biggest causes of tooth pain. If that happens, your dentist may refer you to an endodontist like us at WFW Endodontics to perform root canal therapy, which removes the infected root tissue and actually saves your tooth from getting infected further.

When the infected root is removed, not only does your tooth stay intact, but the pain will be gone! At WFW Endodontics, we've saved thousands of teeth throughout our careers from needing to be removed and we're obsessed with helping people with tooth pain. It's why both Dr. Nieves and Dr. Fitzhugh became board-certified endodontists; nothing makes us happier than helping people who are suffering from root canal pain get relief.

Other common causes of tooth pain

Most of the time, tooth pain is caused by an infection in the root canal like we mentioned above. But, sometimes there are other ailments, such as:

• Dental decay: Cavities form when acid-producing bacteria chew through the enamel, reaching sensitive areas.

• Gum disease: Infections that damage the gums and can affect the bone that supports your teeth.

• Tooth sensitivity: Sometimes heightened response to temperature changes signals enamel wear or gum recession.

• Tooth fractures: Cracks or breaks can expose your tooth’s nerve-filled pulp.

The first three are issues that we don't specialize in, but we'll point you in the right direction of a periodontist or other dental specialist in order to get you the treatment you need. We do help with tooth fractures, which in some cases can actually be an underlying cause of a root canal.

When you have a cracked tooth, such as a cracked molar, a small issue can turn into a bigger one leading to a root canal infection. We specialize in treating cracked teeth as part of root canal therapy so we can save your tooth instead of needing to have it removed.

Prevention of tooth pain

Though we love meeting new patients each week, we still always stress the importance of good oral hygiene in order to prevent tooth pain from occurring. Maintaining optimal oral health reduces your risk of experiencing tooth pain:

• Oral hygiene: Brush twice daily and floss to keep those invasive bacteria at bay.

• Regular dental check-ups: Your dentist can catch problems before they become painful predicaments.

• Healthy lifestyle habits: A balanced diet and avoiding tobacco and excessive sugary treats can bolster your mouth's defenses.

If you're experiencing tooth pain, we can help

Tooth pain is the body's SOS alert that demands attention, and at WFW Endondontics we're experts at identifying, diagnosing and treating tooth pain. Understanding the origins of tooth pain can help you get an idea as to why you might be feeling it, and contacting our office can make sure you get the diagnosis and treatment you need.

Remember, enduring pain is unnecessary and potentially perilous to your dental and general health. A board-certified endodontist like Dr. Fitzhugh or Dr. Nieves is the right first step to help you understand and treat tooth pain. Your smile—and your peace of mind—are worth it.