Toothache

Toothache occurs when the innermost layer of the tooth (dental pulp) becomes inflamed. The pulp is made up ofsensitive nerves and blood vessels.

Dental pulp can become inflamed as a result of:

• tooth decay this leads to holes (cavities) forming in the hard surface of the tooth
• a cracked tooth the crackis often so small that it can't be seen with the naked eye
• loose or broken fillings
• receding gums where the gums shrink(contract) to expose softer, more sensitive parts of the tooth root
• periapical abscess a collection of pus at the end of the tooth caused by a bacterial infection

There are a number of other conditions that can cause pain similar to toothache, even though the pulp isn't affected. These include:

• periodontal abscess a collection of pus in the gums caused by a bacterial infection
• ulcers on your gums
• sore or swollen gums around a tooth that's breaking through for example, when your wisdom teeth start to come through
• sinusitis which sometimes causes pain around the upper jaw
• an injury to the joint that attaches the jaw to the skull (temporomandibular joint)

Babies can also experience discomfort when their teeth start to develop. This is known as teething .