The National Institutes of Health explains that tooth decay is one of the most prevalent disorders affecting children and young adults. Sometimes referred to as caries, cavities often result from certain dietary habits coupled with poor oral hygiene. Sugar-sweetened foods and beverages leave residue on the teeth that can cause tooth decay, which can bring about tooth pain.
Tooth Decay
Tooth decay and its subsequent pain are a result of plaque, notes the National Institutes of Health. Plaque contains acids and bacteria that can deteriorate the enamel of a tooth, resulting in small openings along its surface. These small openings allow acids and bacteria to reach the dentin, the layer just under the enamel. But unlike enamel, dentin is quite soft and not as impervious to acid and bacteria. This often leads to further decay into the innermost layer of your tooth.
Tooth Pain
The pain you experience from tooth decay isn't usually felt until the cavity has advanced into the pulp of your tooth, maintains the Mayo Clinic. The pulp is where the nerves of your tooth are located. Once a cavity reaches this inner material, it exposes the pulp to bacteria, causing irritation and inflammation that can lead to pain.
Intensity
The intensity of tooth pain varies greatly from person to person. For some people, this pain is more of a slight discomfort, materializing as a dull, throbbing ache. Others suffer sharp, shooting twinges within the affected tooth. It may simply manifest as a heightened sensitivity to hot, cold or even sweets. And pressure from chewing or biting may be the only times the sensation is felt. It just depends on the severity of decay and your reaction to the irritation and inflammation of the pulp.
Treatment
Tooth decay must be treated to eliminate the pain. The severity of the decay dictates the type of treatment needed. Since you're dealing with tooth decay that's causing you pain, the cavity is most likely in an advanced stage, so treatment usually involves fillings, crowns or root canals.
Prevention/Solution
One of the keys to preventing decayed tooth pain is routine checkups, according to the American Dental Association. Regular dental visits allow dentists to discover cavities before they advance into the inner material of the tooth. This makes treatment much less extensive. It's also important to brush after every meal, since plaque can form within 20 minutes of eating, warns the National Institutes of Health. Besides brushing, floss each day and avoid sugar-sweetened foods and beverages.
