If you feel a flash of pain in your gums or a sudden toothache, you’re not alone. A survey by the American Family Physician revealed that 22 percent of adults have experienced pain in their teeth, gums, or jaw within the last six months.
Two of the most likely explanations are that you’ve developed tooth sensitivity or that one of your teeth is cracked or infected. The good news is most causes of sudden tooth discomfort are easily treatable by your dentist.
Here are 10 possible reasons why your teeth might be giving you pain, and when to see a doctor.
Tooth sensitivity is caused by worn tooth enamel or exposed nerves in your teeth. When you eat or drink something with an extremely low or high temperature, you may feel a sudden, sharp flash of pain.
Gums are the layer of pink tissue that cover bone and surround the root of the tooth to help protect the nerve endings of your teeth. As you age, gum tissue often begins to wear , causing gum recession.
This recession leaves the roots of your teeth exposed, as well as leaving you more vulnerable to gum disease and tooth infections. If your teeth are suddenly more sensitive than they used to be, gum recession could be the culprit.
It’s estimated that at least 12 percent of people have some form of “dentin hypersensitivity” that causes them discomfort when they eat. This kind of sensitivity can be caused by eating a highly acidic diet, brushing your teeth too hard, and other factors.
As a result, the enamel that coats and protects your teeth begins to wear away and is not replaced. This can lead to sharp, stabbing pain that sends shivers up your spine when you bite into certain foods.
Tooth decay, also referred to as a cavity, might be the reason why your teeth have suddenly started bothering you. Tooth decay can linger on the sides or tops of your tooth enamel without being noticed for some time.
Once the decay begins to progress toward an infection, you may startexperiencing pain in your tooth.
Gum disease, also called periodontal disease, affects more than 47 percent of adults over the age of 30. Gum disease is called gingivitis in its early stages, and some people don’t even know that they have it. Sensitive teeth and gums can be a sign of escalating gum disease.
You may not be surprised to learn that a cracked tooth or crown can cause tooth pain and sensitivity. But there are cases when you may have a tooth cracked ever so slightly, so that it causes pain but is nearly impossible to see.
One symptom of a sinus infection is pain in your teeth and in your jaw. As your sinuses become inflamed and filled with pressure from the infection, they can compress the nerve endings of your teeth.
Grinding your teeth and clenching your jaws can lead to chronic tooth sensitivity, as you wear away at the enamel on your teeth.
While many people clench or grind their teeth from time to time, high-stress circumstances or poor sleep can lead to you increasing this habit without you realizing it, resulting in tooth pain that seems mysterious.
Recent fillings or tooth work involving drilling can temporarily make the nerve endings of your teeth more sensitive. Sensitivity from a tooth filling procedure may last up to two weeks.
Using whitening strips, bleaching gels, or having an in-office teeth-whitening procedure can put you at a higher risk of tooth sensitivity. Pain in your teeth that’s caused by teeth bleaching is often temporary and will usually subside if you stop using whitening products.
If your teeth have become sensitive when they never were before, make an appointment with your dentist. They may be able to recommend a simple treatment, such as a sensitivity-reducing toothpaste.
Your dentist will also be able to tell if you need a corrective procedure, such as a filling or a tooth extraction, to relieve your pain.
Some symptoms should never be ignored. See your dentist right away, or contact another health professional, if you experience the following:
- toothache that lasts for more than 48 hours
- throbbing or sharp, aching pain that doesn’t subside
- migraine or thunderclap headache that extends to your teeth
- fever that seems to coincide with your toothache
The Healthline FindCare tool can provide options in your area if you need help finding a dentist.
There are myriad reasons why you might feel a sudden pain in your teeth. Most of them are connected to the natural erosion of your gums or tooth enamel.
If you’ve developed hypersensitive teeth seemingly overnight, you should speak with your dentist. While it’s not usually considered a dental emergency, teeth that are causing you pain should be examined by a dentist to rule out some of the more serious causes.
36 Answers
Cristina Daniela Balan Dentist Rotterdam, Netherlands
Genetics. More I cannot discuss, I am not specialist in this field.
Dr. Michael Donohoo Dentist Milwaukee, WI
Unless one's teeth have become broken or reshaped purposely the actual original shape would most definitely be an inherited trait...genetic in nature. He should be great at "tearing or ripping up" foods...the primary purpose of canine teeth. Thus the increased length in the canine world and with tigers, etc. Keep them healthy and enjoy them throughout your lifetime.
Dr. Edward D'witt Mcdonald Dentist Dacula, GA
It's a function of age, positioning and wear. The lower jaw is mobile and upper is not. Over time, your boyfriend's canine teeth may wear down from the erosion from the lower teeth. As long as your teeth work to tear your food efficiently, there should be no worries!
Dr. Cheryle A. Baptiste Dentist Washington, District of Columbia
Yes, genetics play a large part in how our teeth are shaped.
Dr. Richard J. Gochman Dentist Flushing, New York
Yes, the shape and arrangement of each person's teeth are individual and largely related to genetics, just like skin tone, hair color, etc.
Sophia Bednarski Dentist St. Louis, Missouri
Could be genetics, or wear and tear.
Neal Nealis Dentist Chicago, IL
Canine teeth are genetically shaped and then get modified through daily use.
Dr. Jesse A. Grimm Dentist Kernersville, NC
The shape of your teeth when they come in is genetically related. However the shape can change over time do to forces on them and wear of enamel- the outer layer of tooth structure, Canines can have a rather pointed appearance compared to other teeth in the mouth. With normal function some wear can be acceptable. Excessive or pathological wear and sharper appearance can occur with parafunctional ( other than normal) habits and is often a sign of bruxism or grinding of teeth and should be evaluated for the need of repair and an occlusal guard.
Carla H. Schlissel Dentist West Islip, New York
The shape of teeth are widely varied. Some canines are sharp and pointy, others are rounded, and if you grind your teeth, they may be flat. All are considered to be "within normal limits."
Nathan Le Dentist Cambridge Park, New South Wales
Yes, it can be genetic. But it often due to occlusion as well. Treatment is easy and painless, take few minutes to grind down the pointy end be a dentist.
Morvarid Monfaredzadeh Dentist
Maybe he is s vampire, just kidding, yes, that's a genetic thing, just like every one has different shape of eyes or face or hair, teeth have different shapes as well, canine teeth are generally longer and sharper than the other teeth but for some people they are a little bit sharper and it also depends on their biting patterns. They may get worn down a bit through life.
Joel M. Moskowitz Dentist Lake Hopatcong, New Jersey
Genetics. Nothing to be concerned about.
Sang Pil Yu Dentist Katy, Texas
Some people have sharper canine teeth than others because of genetic differences and factors. The sharp canine teeth are not harmful to have a good dental health, but some of the people find it difficult to have sharper canine teeth. If you also have the pointed and sharp canine teeth, and you don't like to have such type of teeth shape, then you can opt for tooth reshaping treatment by one of the professional and experienced dentists in Katy at affordable prices.
Carrie Hui Dentist Toronto, Ontario
Canines are naturally "pointy." Over time, wear on the teeth may cause the point to become less prominent. It is natural to see wear on teeth over time just due to wear and tear. However, the wear can be accelerated due to parafunctional habits such as clenching and/or grinding of teeth.
If you are aware of possible clenching or grinding, especially during the night, ask your dentist about a nightguard to protect your teeth!
Dr. Guy Gunacar Dentist Cincinnati, OH
Canine morphology is always related with genetics. Sometimes the usage of these teeth make them look like sharper or flatter. If the bite is not normal, these teeth looks small, rounded or asymmetrical because of the abnormal occlusion.
Adel Rossouw Dentist
First of all, men's canines are more sharper or prominent than ladies'. Secondly, it also depends on your age and your bite. If your bite (or occlusion as us dentists call it) is not correct, your can grind of certain teeth and that is most often the canines or anterior (front) teeth. Then if you are a bruxer, which means you grind and clench your teeth during the night, you will also wear the teeth down quickly. That is why bite plates are made to protect your teeth. Skew teeth will also wear down quicker. Older people's teeth are more 'used' and worn down. That is why age also plays a roll.
Justin Nyland Dentist Taos, New Mexico
Everyone's teeth are slightly different in size and subtle changes in tooth anatomy. It's probably just the way his teeth formed. If he is grinding his teeth, his teeth will get sharper as they start wearing. If he is noticing a change in his teeth, he should ask his dentist.
Dr. Joel David Rosenkrantz Dentist Northvale, NJ
Dr. John F. Crisler DDS Dentist Rio Rancho, New Mexico
The sharpness of human canines is both a genetic thing as well as a wear thing. The genetic tooth form of various people has individual variations, leading to more or less sharpness in their unworn teeth. Perhaps a bigger factor is the wear that people cause on their teeth from grinding their teeth, oftentimes in their sleep. This will blunt or wear canines, and should be treated at least with a night guard, but preferably with a bite analysis followed by restoration of the worn or damaged teeth and chewing system.
Dr. Michael Acquista Dentist Brooklyn, NY
First of all, the shape of teeth are variable. All canines have certain characteristics in common, however they do not all look exactly the same; some may have more rounded cusps and some may be sharper or more pointy. Also, the way that teeth wear and the degree to which they wear can cause them to become more rounded or more sharp and pointed. This is my opinion, not medical advice.
Dr. Ronald M. Sarosi, d.d.s. Dentist Eaton Rapids, MI
The likely answer is pathological wear patterns. Clinically called, anterior wear due to contact avoidance syndrome. Likely that there is some disharmony in the way your posterior teeth fit together that impacts the stability of your jaw joints. There can be other reasons as well, but this would be my primary concern.
Dr. Jennifer Rankin Dentist Aurora, Colorado
The shape of our teeth is genetic and we all start with somewhat pointed canines. People who have parafunctional habits like grinding, nail biting, or using their canines to "cut" things have a tendency to wear down the canine teeth so that they are flat or more flattened. In Health,
Dr. Rankin
Dr. Ammaar Abidi Dentist Memphis, TN
There are several factors that make teeth sharp. Naturally, genetics are the most common cause but certain diets and habits can also effect the appearance of the teeth.
Dr. Matthew R. Greene Dentist Towson, Maryland
It generally is a genetic predisposition. Do any of his family members have similarly shaped canines?
Dr. Russell Sassack Dentist Sterling Heights, MI
There is no rhyme or reason why some canine teeth are more pointy than others. All teeth, however, can be contoured easily by a dentist to decrease their pointy appearance and make them look less conspicuous. Visit your dentist today.
Dr. Christopher Baer Dentist | General Practice Lone Tree, Colorado
Why are some people taller than others? -- genetics. It could also be from grinding.
Henry Buhl Dentist Chattanooga, Tennessee
The human dentition because our diets, our habits, and stresses throughout our lifetime are responsible for generalized attrition. This condition is very noticeable in the canine area of the mouth as we use these teeth tear meat for chewing. Some patients canine teeth are in harsh occlusion and around the edges off of those teeth predominantly and less so on the lower front teeth. But over the course of a lifetime it's easy to see on inspection generalized attrition in virtually every human being. The fact that your boyfriend shows very little wear just means his bite is a little different then perhaps other teeth in his mouth in that area. You are also correct in assuming that genetics plays an important part in the shape of it as with other traits we inherit
Dr. Robert T. Cadalso Dentist Mission Viejo, California
When we are young all of our teeth are relatively "sharp", however, as we age we wear down the cusps (the sharp points on teeth). If you are a heavy/habitual grinder this process happens quicker. Our bite also determines the amount of wear our teeth suffer.
Dr. Justin P. Rader Dentist Coeur d'Alene, Idaho
It can be the way the enamel developed, but many people do rub their teeth together and cause the enamel to become a sharp edge. It can be smoothed down if it causes trauma to lips and tongue.
Dr. Fatima Vafai Dentist San Jose, California
Overtime our teeth wear, but also if you have malocclusion (not aligned teeth, crowding, etc..) you wear down teeth sooner than usual and can flatten out pointy teeth.
Dr. Maria Lourdes Longo Dentist Brookline, Massachusetts
Yes, genetics play a role in the shape of your teeth but also you may be grinding and he is not.
Dr. Carolina Giraldo Dentist Norwalk, CT
Everyone is borne with sharp canines but through overuse of that edge, it flattens away. Grinding, nail biting, etc can cause the enamel to wear. There are some people that have open bites in the front and the teeth don't touch each other so they never wear down. It's all in the bite and the habits. :)
Dr. Marsha E. Mouton Dentist Los Angeles, California
Teeth are as individual as finger prints, but women tend to have more round edged and men tend to have more sharp edges.
Richard Chee Dentist Eight Mile Plains, Queensland
Yes, this is genetic. However, it would be wise to make sure your boyfriend is not grinding his teeth, as this could be unnaturally sharpening his canine teeth to an edge.