Introduction
Sensitivity in the mouth can be caused by many reasons such as exposed dentin, poor oral care, regular consumption of acidic food and other underlying health issues. Sensitivity typically occurs in the teeth or near the gums. Both gum and tooth sensitivity cause pain and discomfort. However, there may be other health issues that may also be prevalent so it’s important to know the difference between toothache and gum pain or the discomfort that is caused by tooth pain vs gum pain.
What is Gum Sensitivity?
Gum sensitivity is a common dental condition caused by inflamed or sore gums. Gum sensitivity causes irritation, soreness, pain and discomfort in your gums, it can lead to swelling, tenderness and easy bleeding of the gums. Some unhealthy lifestyle habits such as eating acidic food, drinking sugary beverages and consuming tobacco may contribute significantly to gum sensitivity.
What is Tooth Sensitivity?
Tooth sensitivity is a common dental condition that causes pain and discomfort in one or more teeth. Tooth sensitivity is usually caused when the enamel on your teeth erodes, this exposes the dentin. When the dentin is exposed, anything hot or cold consumed can reach the nerve in your tooth leading to pain and discomfort. This can also occur if your gums start to recede and start exposing your cementum which can erode/deteriorate faster than your enamel.
Causes of Gum Sensitivity vs. Tooth Sensitivity
Gum pain vs tooth pain - the key difference between gum pain and tooth pain and the reasons for their occurrence are as follows-
Causes of Gum Sensitivity:
- Gum Disease- The most common cause is gum disease. If any gum diseases are not treated at the earliest it can cause tooth loss.
- Vitamin D Deficiency- Deficiency of vitamin D can cause inflammation and discomfort which can lead to gum disease and sensitivity.
- Other Health Conditions- Other health conditions such as diabetes and hormonal changes in the body can cause tooth and gum sensitivity.
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Consumption of Tobacco- Smoking cigarettes or consumption of tobacco in other forms regularly can cause severe tooth and gum sensitivity which can even lead to serious health issues.
Causes of Tooth Sensitivity:
- Worn enamel- Extensive brushing can wear down the enamel and can cause sensitivity due to exposed dentin.
- Cavities- Poor oral health can lead to tooth decay, which often results in tooth sensitivity.
- Exposed Roots- Gum recession can damage the roots of the teeth which can cause sensitivity.
- Acidic Food and Beverages- Excessive consumption of acidic food and beverages can wear down the enamel exposing the roots of the teeth.
Similarities Between Gum and Tooth Sensitivity
Despite many differences in gum pain vs tooth pain, there are many similarities between them as well.
- Pain- Both tooth and gum sensitivity can lead to extreme pain and discomfort.
- Symptoms- The common symptoms for both are bleeding gums, soreness, swelling, bad breath and tenderness.
Key Differences Between Gum and Tooth Sensitivity
The key differences between gum and tooth sensitivity lies in
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The location of the pain. Gum sensitivity causes pain directly in the gums, while tooth sensitivity is typically triggered by consuming hot or cold foods and beverages.
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Gum sensitivity is usually caused by poor oral care and plaque buildup. On the other hand, tooth sensitivity is caused by exposed dentin.
How to Identify If You Have Gum or Tooth Sensitivity?
The symptoms of both are almost likely. However, the differences are:
- Cavity vs Gum Pain- Tooth sensitivity is related to cavity and gum pain is caused by swollen or inflamed gums.
- Pain Location- Generally the pain originates from gum itself in case of gum sensitivity whereas tooth pain originates when anything cold or hot touches the tooth’s surface.
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Oral Health- Unlike tooth sensitivity, gum sensitivity is likely to be caused due to poor oral health and plaque buildup.
Conclusion
Gum sensitivity and tooth sensitivity are different and you may be mistaken about the symptoms. Toothaches and gum pain are different: toothaches occur when dentin is exposed, while gum pain is often a result of poor oral health. If you experience symptoms of either, it’s important to get checked by a professional. In short the difference lies in understanding the discomfort caused by cavity vs gum pain.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. How to tell if pain is from a gum or tooth?
Answer- Gum pain is when you witness pain while applying pressure to your gum. Tooth pain is a sharp and stabbing pain caused while consuming any hot or cold food that touches exposed dentin.
Q2. Does gum pain feel like tooth pain?
Answer- At some point, gum pain could feel like toothache. However, the difference lies in tooth pain vs gum pain, tooth pain can be caused by cavities whereas gum pain originates from gums.
Q3. Does a gum infection feel like a toothache?
Answer- Yes, a gum infection can feel like a toothache when the infection spreads out and reaches the tooth root causing pain.