Why Do My Bottom Teeth Hurt?

Do you have pain in your bottom teeth? There are many reasons for dental pain, but there are specific reasons your bottom teeth in particular may be experiencing discomfort. If you wonder “Why do my bottom teeth hurt?” here are some possible causes of lower teeth discomfort.

Bruxism and Jaw Clenching

One of the reasons why your bottom teeth may ache or throb could be from bruxism. Teeth grinding or jaw clenching can put excess pressure on the bottom teeth. If you catch yourself clenching your jaw when you are stressed, or you grind your teeth at night, this could be why your front bottom teeth hurt.

If bruxism is causing lower teeth pain, consider treatment. You can consciously minimize jaw clenching when awake and wear a dental nightguard when you sleep to protect your teeth. This can reduce discomfort and protect your teeth from erosion or fractures from bruxism.

Bite Misalignment

Underbites, overbites and other misalignment problems can contribute to why your bottom teeth hurt. When your bottom teeth, especially the front teeth, hit the upper teeth incorrectly, it can result in pain. The front anterior teeth often shift with age, which can be the reason the front bottom teeth hurt.

Misaligned teeth can cause all kinds of problems, from decay to stress on the jaw (TMJ disorders). To improve your alignment, consider talking to your dentist about orthodontic treatment. Clear aligners or braces may be the solution to improve your bite alignment.

Sinus Problems

While you may think only the upper teeth would hurt when you have sinus problems, that is not always the case. If you wonder, “Why do my bottom teeth hurt when I have a cold or sinus infection?” the reason may be referred pain. It is common to feel pain in your mouth even when the source is elsewhere.

The pressure on the sinuses or ears when you have a sinus problem or cold can lead to tooth pain. Often, tooth discomfort is one of the indicators that there is a problem in your upper respiratory system or within your ears.

Common Dental Problems

Of course, the reason your bottom front teeth hurt, or any teeth experience pain, may be due to a dental problem. You should always see a dentist if you are experiencing toothaches on a regular basis. Ongoing tooth pain indicates there is damage, decay or other issues with your tooth. This may include:

• Broken or cracked tooth
• Tooth decay
• Tooth infection
• Gum disease

A dental exam and cleaning can answer the question, “Why do my bottom teeth hurt?” Your dentist can recommend the best treatment to give you relief from chronic toothaches and other dental pain that affects your teeth.

Temporomandibular Joint Disorders (TMJ/TMD)

When your jaw joint (TMJ) has tendonitis, arthritis or misalignment issues, it can cause a variety of oral issues. Just like misalignment, TMJ disorders can result in uneven pressure on your bottom teeth. You can also experience referred pain from the jaw, which may be why your front bottom teeth hurt.

TMJ or TMD treatment varies depending on the cause of the disorder. Your dentist can determine whether a mouthguard, dental treatment, orthodontics or other solutions can resolve your TMD that is causing tooth pain.

Periodontal Disease

If your gums bleed or you have pain around your bottom teeth, you could be suffering from an infection in your gum tissue. Periodontal disease is caused by bacteria infecting the gums, which can cause many oral and overall health issues, including tooth pain.

Gum disease and infections should be taken very seriously. It is the leading cause of tooth loss, and it can put you at risk for other severe health issues like cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. Gum disease treatment can reduce these risks and improve your oral discomfort.

Health Issues That Cause Tooth Pain

Seemingly unrelated health problems can be why front bottom teeth hurt or why you have general tooth pain. Did you know a heart attack can cause tooth or jaw pain? Even diabetes, nerve disorders and viral infections can be the cause of tooth pain.

If you have tooth pain that is not a dental disorder, it may be an indication of another health issue. You should not ignore oral pain, as it could be alerting you to a serious medical condition that needs attention. Your dentist may refer you to your primary physician for further diagnosis.

Not all tooth pain is caused by cavities, dental damage or oral health conditions, but it is the best place to start. If your front bottom teeth hurt or you wonder, “Why do my bottom teeth hurt when I have a cold or other illness?” start by visiting your dentist. They can get to the bottom of why you are having dental pain.

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