If you’ve ever experienced mouth pain—especially in one of the teeth you need to chew and speak properly—you know that it’s time to seek help from your emergency dentist in Westminster. It may also help for you to understand what could be causing your tooth pain and how Sage Dental Center can help you.
What can cause a toothache?
In many cases tooth decay is the source of toothaches, but we still think it’s important for you to have a complete oral examination to determine the true cause. There could be an underlying cause like one of the following:
- Infection
- Gum disease
- Grinding teeth (bruxism)
- Tooth trauma
- An abnormal bite
- Tooth eruption (in babies and young children)
A malfunction of your TMJ (TMJ disorder), sinus or ear infections, and tension in the facial muscles can cause discomfort that can remind you of a toothache. Usually these health problems are accompanied by a headache. Pain around the teeth and the jaws can be symptoms of heart disease. If your dentist suspects a medical illness could be the cause of your toothache, he or she may refer you to a physician right away. Far gone toothaches are serious business!
If you have a toothache, you could also have a cavity or advanced gum disease. The first sign of decay may be the pain and sensitivity to hot or cold substances. If the pulp – the inside of the tooth that has tissue and nerves – has become irritated, this can cause pain in your tooth. Sometimes if we can’t save the tooth, you could be facing a tooth extraction in Westminster.
How can I tell if I truly have a toothache?
Because the symptoms of a toothache may resemble other medical conditions or dental problems, it can be difficult to diagnose the cause without a complete evaluation by your dentist. Contact our dental practice immediately if you have any of the following symptoms:
- Fever
- Difficulty breathing or swallowing
- Swelling around the tooth area
- Pain when you bite
- A foul-tasting discharge
- Continuous lasting pain
How can Sage Dental Care help?
Your dentist will conduct a complete oral examination to determine the location and cause of the toothache, looking for signs of swelling, redness and obvious damages to your teeth. We may also take x-rays to look for evidence of tooth decay between teeth, a cracked or impacted tooth or an abnormality underlying beneath the bone.
Your dentist also may prescribe pain medication or antibiotics to speed the healing of your toothache. If by the time you see your dentist your tooth has become infected, then treatment could require removal of the tooth or a root canal procedure, which involves removing the damaged nerve tissue from the middle of a tooth.
How can I prevent toothaches?
The key to preventing toothaches is establishing a regular oral hygiene routine and sticking to it. That includes keeping your routine dental appointments with us. Here are a few tips to help reduce your risk for developing a toothache:
- Brush at least twice a day, preferably after meals and snacks.
- Floss at least once a day to prevent gum disease.
- Visit your dentist regularly for oral examinations and a professional cleaning.
Contact us today if you’re experiencing tooth pain or even if you just want to schedule your next regular dental appointment!