Why do my teeth and gums hurt?

Neglecting your oral health can result in tooth and gum pain. Taking care of your mouth is very important for maintaining good overall health. Neglecting your teeth and gums can make them susceptible to problems such as cavities, gum disease, bacterial infections, impacted wisdom teeth and temporomandibular dysfunction, which is known by the acronym TMJ. read more

When you think about dental health, the focus is likely to be on preventing cavities in your teeth. But it's important to pay attention to your gums, too. Gums play a major role not only in your dental health, but in your overall well-being. In many instances, swollen and bleeding gums are a sign of gum disease. read more

Your gums are receding. Some people with sensitive teeth have gum recession, which has caused the enamel at the gum line to wear away. "It's like [the tooth] doesn't have a coat, so it's exposed to all the elements," Dr. Meinecke says. The pain doesn't linger, but it will pop up every time the tooth hits hot or cold foods or silverware. read more