When people notice the initial twinge of tooth pain, the first thought that comes to mind is usually that they have a cavity. Tooth pain can be an indication of a cavity, but it can also point to a potential problem with your gums. The health of your gums and your teeth are inextricably linked together. If you notice tooth pain, it could be because you have some sort of problem with your gum health. When you understand the connection between gum health and tooth pain, it will help you better care for both and more accurately identify the source of your tooth pain.

Sensitivity

If your gums are in poor health, it can lead to sensitivity in your teeth. Your gums provide support and protection to your teeth. Gum disease can cause your gums to recede and also separate from your teeth. When this happens, it can expose the roots of your teeth and leave your nerves unprotected. If you start to notice sensitivity in your teeth, it could be a result of gum disease. When you determine that your teeth sensitivity is the result of gingivitis or periodontitis, you can focus on treating the gum disease, which will, in turn, impact the sensitivity. 

Infection

Poor gum health can lead to infection in the roots of your teeth. When gum disease is present, you have harmful bacteria in your mouth. As mentioned above, the roots and nerves of your teeth can become exposed when periodontitis (severe gum disease) leads to the separation of your gums and teeth. When the roots of your teeth are more exposed like this, it can increase your likelihood of developing an infection. The infection can turn into an abscess at the base of your tooth root or an infection in the actual root canal. Both types of infections can have their origin in issues with your gums and lead to serious tooth pain.

Decay

The condition of your gums can also have an impact on the development of decay in your teeth. Diseased gums leave your teeth more susceptible to threats that can lead to decay. In addition, gum disease can be caused by tartar that is not properly and regularly removed from your teeth, which will ultimately lead to decay as well.

The health of your gums can directly impact the pain you feel in your teeth. At the first sign of tooth pain, improve your oral hygiene routine. An improvement in your routine may be enough for you to restore your gums to health and eliminate the pain. If you find that your gum disease is so serious that it does not respond to those changes, you will need help from your dentist to address your periodontitis as well as the pain.