Car Ing for your teeth, gums, and mouth is essential to overall health. We all need to visit our dentists every year and practice good oral hygiene at home. Occasionally, we may get a toothache. Although some toothaches are minor, there are times when tooth pain is unbearable.
According to the 247 Dentist, the two types of toothache are reversible and irreversible. A reversible toothache occurs when the nerve of a tooth is healthy but has been impacted by a cavity or other cause of damage. The pain from reversible toothaches can be alleviated by getting a filling. An irreversible toothache means the nerve has been damaged, and you need a root canal or a tooth extraction.
You may wonder, “Can a cracked tooth cause ear and jaw pain?” Because the teeth are in the oral cavity, which is part of the same system as your ears, the pain of a cracked tooth can travel to your ear or jaw. Your dentist will know the best solution for your toothache pain. No matter why it occurs, when you experience unbearable tooth pain, call your dentist and let them take care of it.
There is no pain quite like “toothache pain,” what dentists term as a dull, throbbing sensation. Many toothaches are caused by repetitive grinding and go away in a day or two, but if the toothache is still painful after a few days, patient’s should visit their dentist. Here are three potential causes of toothaches–and what you can expect from your dental visit.
Misshapen Filling
It’s common to have some tenderness after a routine procedure, but pain from the filled area, particularly when you bite down, could indicate that the filling was not shaped properly. In that instance, you should contact your dentist to have the filling refiled. If the pain continues, it could be a sign that there is damage to the “pulp” (the tooth’s connective tissue). In this instance, a root canal may be able to rectify the problem.
Gum Disease
Advanced gum disease (Periodontitis) normally does not cause pain, but if you’ve felt some pain in teeth that have shifted and if your gums bleed during brushing, ask your dentist to look for signs of gum disease. Fortunately, this can often be treated with routine dental care with your local dentist. Severe Periodontitis, however, may require surgical intervention, so it’s important to take care to brush and floss regularly to keep your gums healthy.
Abscess
Abscesses occur at the tooth’s root below the gum line, often as a result of a deep cavity, gum disease, or a chipped tooth or broken tooth. The unmistakable signs of an abscess include trouble chewing and swallowing, fever, gum redness, and, of course, tooth pain that doesn’t subside. Abscesses are commonly treated with a root canal, but modern technology has made the procedure much like a routine filling or cleaning.
An estimated 20% of Americans have untreated cavities, and if left unchecked, these can advance into serious infections, abscesses, and other diseases. However, not all conditions necessarily result in a root canal. Taking care of your teeth with regular teeth cleaning and visits to the dentist can protect you from painful toothaches later.
