What Causes Front Tooth Pain? Common Reasons and Treatments

Front tooth pain can be very uncomfortable. Your incisors and canines are fundamental to your smile. They help you talk and bite down into food easily. They also have less enamel coverage than your molars so the teeth nerves are very sensitive to outside factors, bacterial infections and internal inflammations.

Knowing what is causing your pain will help you keep your oral health in check and prevent permanent nerve damage. This article will outline the main reasons for front tooth pain and include how to diagnose and treat them.

What Are the Common Reasons for Front Tooth Pain?

Can Tooth Decay Cause Front Tooth Pain?

This is caused by bacteria eating your teeth! The bacteria eat your diet full of sugar and start to produce harmful acids. The acids dissolve the hard enamel on your front teeth to leave holes.

Can Enamel Erosion Cause Front Tooth Pain?

Acidic foods, excessive vomiting from a gastrointestinal issue or aggressive brushing can erode the enamel of your front teeth. This leaves the dentine exposed.

Can Exposure of Dentine Cause Front Tooth Pain?

The dentine has tiny tubes which run from the surface to the nerve. This causes sensitivity to hot, cold, sweet and acidic items.

Can Tooth Decay Between Teeth Cause Front Tooth Pain?

Plaque can build up easily between your front teeth from the teeth being very close together. This causes hidden decay and irritates the nerves.

Can Tooth Trauma Cause Front Tooth Pain?

If you suffer an injury during sport, a fall or another trauma the front teeth can suffer impact.

Can Cracked or Chipped Teeth Cause Front Tooth Pain?

The enamel of your teeth can crack/chip exposing the inner layer of your teeth to air, food and bacteria.

Can Micro Cracks Cause Front Tooth Pain?

Hard impact can cause micro cracks. When you chew your teeth flex causing constant irritation to the nerves.

Can Nerve Death Due to Trauma Cause Front Tooth Pain?

If your tooth suffers a powerful impact it could cause your tooth to fracture at the tip of the root. This will cause your nerve to die slowly and cause severe pain.

Can Pulpitis Cause Front Tooth Pain?

If a cavity or crack isn’t treated then bacteria can get into the center of your teeth. This causes severe internal inflammation.

What Is Reversible Pulpitis?

Mild inflammation will cause quick, sharp pain to your teeth when they come into contact with cold/hot. Once your dentist has removed the irritation your nerves fully heal.

What Is Irreversible Pulpitis?

Severe bacterial invasion will cause continuous severe throbbing pain.

Can an Abscess Cause Front Tooth Pain?

The infection will spread past the tip of your root into your jawbone. This will form a localized pocket of pus. This causes severe pressure, localized swelling, pimples on your gums and throbbing pain.

Can Bruxism Cause Front Tooth Pain?

If you unconsciously grind/clench your teeth during sleep or high stress situations your front teeth will suffer from extreme pressure.

How Does Excess Pressure Affect Your Front Teeth?

The constant pressure will cause your periodontal ligaments to become stressed.

How Does Enamel Damage Cause Front Tooth Pain?

Grinding will cause your enamel to wear down quickly. This will cause your teeth to be more sensitive to hot/cold.

People who suffer from bruxism will often suffer from a dull ache in their front teeth when they wake up. They will also suffer from a tight jaw and headaches.

Can Gum-Related Issues Cause Front Tooth Pain?

• Can Gum Disease Cause Front Tooth Pain?

Inflammation in your gums can cause damage and expose your sensitive teeth.

• Can Gingivitis Cause Front Tooth Pain?

Bacterial plaque build up will cause your gums to become inflamed, swollen and bleed.

• Can Periodontitis Cause Front Tooth Pain?

Advanced gum disease will cause damage to the bone structure of your gum causing large pockets to form. Food and bacteria can become trapped in these pockets.

• Can Gum Recession Cause Front Tooth Pain?

Aggressive brushing or periodontitis can cause your gums to recede. This will expose the soft dentine of your root.

Can Sinus Pressure or Infection Cause Front Tooth Pain?

Your upper front teeth sit right below or close to your maxillary sinus.

Can Sinusitis Cause Front Tooth Pain?

Viral or bacterial infections can cause a build up of fluid in your sinuses. This causes extreme pressure.

Can Nerve Pain Cause Front Tooth Pain?

The pressure from your sinus will cause pressure on your upper nerves. This will cause your healthy front teeth to feel sore, heavy and painful when walking/jumping.

When Should You See an Emergency Dentist?

If you are suffering from mild sensitivity then you should book a standard appointment. However, if you are suffering from any of the following symptoms it means the bacteria is spreading quickly or permanent nerve damage has occurred. You should contact a dentist:

• Sharp throbbing pain keeping you awake at night.

• Swelling in your gums, upper lip, face or neck.

• Fever, chills or pain when swallowing.

• A loose front tooth with no recent trauma.

• Bitter tasting fluid coming from a red pimple on your gums.

• Dark gray discoloration on one of your front teeth.

How Do Dentists Diagnose Front Tooth Pain?

Dentists will carry out specialist tests to find out what is causing your pain.

How Do X-Rays Help Diagnose Front Tooth Pain?

This will show any hidden cavities between your teeth, root cracks, bone loss and infections at the tip of your root.

What Does a Cold Test Reveal?

This will show how fast your nerves react and recover by using a cold swab.

What Is a Tap Test?

Tap gently on your teeth to see if there is any inflammation in your periodontal ligaments.

What Does Gum Probing Check?

Measures how deep your gum pockets are to determine how severe your gum disease is.

How Does Trans-illumination Detect Tooth Damage?

Shine a bright light through your enamel to pick up any micro cracks.

What Are the Treatment Options for Front Tooth Pain?

Treatment will depend on what is causing the pain. It will aim to remove the pain, infection and protect your natural teeth.

How Do Composite Fillings Treat Front Tooth Pain?

Your dentist will remove the decayed enamel and fill small cavities with a tooth colored composite material. This will seal off the dentine tubes instantly and remove any sensitivity.

When Is a Root Canal Needed?

If your teeth are suffering from bacteria getting into the pulp of your teeth then the only reliable way to save your natural tooth is with a root canal. Your dentist will remove the infected nerve tissue, clean out the canals and fill them with gutta-percha.

Can Night Guards Help Relieve Front Tooth Pain?

Your dentist will create bespoke night guards to protect your teeth from bruxism at night. This will protect your enamel from wearing down, teeth from cracking and reduce muscle pain.

How Does Gum Treatment Help Relieve Front Tooth Pain?

Your hygienist will scale and polish your teeth to remove the hardened tartar underneath your gums. This will remove any active gum inflammation. They will also apply a professional fluoride varnish to seal off any exposed root surfaces.

What Daily Care Can Help Prevent Front Tooth Pain?

• Brush your teeth twice a day with a soft brush. Angle the brush towards your gums to protect your enamel and gums.

• Floss your front teeth daily to remove any bacteria build up between your teeth.

• Wear a mouth guard whilst playing contact sport to protect your teeth.

• Do not use your front teeth to tear packaging, bite your finger nails or crunch ice.

• Use a fluoride toothpaste to remineralise your weak enamel.

• Visit your dentist every 6 months for a checkup.

Front tooth pain is a sign that something is wrong with your teeth. Whether it’s damage, infection or pressure. Knowing what is causing the pain will allow your dentist to save your natural tooth and remove the pain. Book a diagnostic appointment as soon as possible to ensure your oral health is protected.