Are you experiencing pain in a tooth when you eat or drink? Or do you have an ongoing ache for the last 1-2 days? There could be many reasons why you’re experiencing pain in your teeth. Should you be worried about a toothache? Let’s look at the different symptoms, possible problems, and urgency of treatment.
Possible Causes of Toothache
Toothaches can be caused by different problems. Sometimes, you may experience severe pain while other times the toothache might fade away. However, pain in and around teeth can actually point to serious problems happening in your mouth. If left untreated, toothaches can grow into a much more serious problem.
Some common causes of toothache include:
- Dental cavities
- Damaged fillings
- Abscessed tooth
- Fractured tooth
- Teeth grinding
- Gingivitis
- Severe infection
Along with a toothache, you should be on the lookout for:
- Headaches
- Fever
- Swelling of the gums
- Bad taste in your mouth due to discharge from the infected tooth
When should I see a dentist about a toothache?
See your dentist as soon as possible about your toothache if:
- You have a toothache that lasts longer than 1 or 2 days
- Your toothache is severe
- You have a fever, earache, or pain upon opening your mouth wide
When you visit an emergency dental care, your dentist will be sure to pull your medical history and perform an exam. They will also ask questions such as:
- How severe is the pain?
- When did the pain start?
- Where is the pain located?
What treatments are available for toothache?
Many toothaches will need professional care from a dentist. Treatment for a toothache depends on the cause.
If you’re experiencing pain due to a cavity, your dentist will fill the cavity or possibly extract the tooth, if necessary.
If you have a tooth infection, a root canal might be needed. Bacteria that have worked their way into the inner aspects of the tooth cause such an infection. An antibiotic may be prescribed if there is a fever or swelling of the jaw.
A severe toothache caused by a crack in your tooth needs urgent treatment to decrease your pain and fix the tooth.
If you are wondering if you should be worried about toothache, it is better to be safe and visit a dentist. At South Flores Family Dental, we’ll be glad to schedule you into our office for a toothache exam or fit you in for an emergency visit if necessary. Our goal is to get you out of pain and smile again.
Preventing toothaches
Following good oral hygiene can prevent toothaches. Brush your teeth regularly with fluoride-containing toothpaste. Floss once daily. It is recommended to see your dentist twice a year for professional cleaning.
Get help for a toothache
Whenever you’ve got a toothache, get in touch with your dentist to determine if you require urgent attention. By taking care of dental problems at the first signs, you can avoid a bigger problem. If you are not getting help for tooth pain due to dental anxieties, phobia, or fears, South Flores Dental can help you. We use sedation techniques to help keep you comfortable and calm throughout dental procedures. With our expertise and different types of sedation dentistry techniques, your procedure will be comfortable and painless. Book an appointment for a consultation today! Or call us at (210) 225-3333.