A toothache is something that will be painful throughout the entire day, making it difficult to concentrate during the day and find it hard to sleep at night. You likely want to treat the problem as fast as you can so that the pain can be relieved and you can get back to your normal routine. Here are some reasons why your tooth is hurting you.

Sensitivity

It's possible that your tooth is hurting due to increased sensitivity. This can happen when it's exposed to pressure or hot and cold temperatures. Sensitivity tends to happen more when there is a lack of enamel on your tooth, which exposes the layer of dentin found underneath. That dentin has tubules in it, which are small holes that surround the nerve of the tooth. When the nerve becomes exposed to the pressure of different temperatures, you'll feel the sensitivity in the form of a toothache.

Your dentist may recommend bonding material to cover the tooth that's causing you so much discomfort. It will help create a barrier on the tooth that serves the same purpose as tooth enamel and stops those tubules from reacting to things that agitate them. 

Enamel can wear away for a variety of reasons, such as using bleach products for at-home teeth whitening. When used as prescribed by a dentist, teeth whitening products are fairly harmless, but abuse can cause enamel to wear away. 

Decay

Decay can happen to a tooth when the enamel dissolves and the tooth starts to demineralize. A small hole will then form in the tooth, known as a cavity. It will expose the pulp inside the tooth, which is where the nerves and blood vessels are located. Having exposed pulp can cause it to become infected, which will cause damage to all the nerves inside the tooth and cause pain. 

Small cavities may cause discomfort, but ignoring them will lead to a lot of pain. If the decay spreads, you may eventually need a root canal and a crown to strengthen the tooth. 

If you're not sure why your tooth is hurting, contact a dentist to schedule an appointment. They can look at the tooth to find out what is happening with it, and take an x-ray if necessary to see what is happening underneath the gums. They'll come up with a plan to resolve your toothache one way or another, thanks to their expertise.

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