Every once in a while you may feel a certain pain or discomfort in your teeth. Whether that pain is a consistent throbbing, a dull pain, or sharp sudden pain, any pain felt in your teeth should not be ignored. When you start to feel a toothache or dental pain, you should always consider calling a dentist to make a quick appointment. The goal of every dentist is to catch dental issues early so that they cannot spread or get worse.
There are many causes of tooth pain and discomfort. You may feel some oral or dental pain after a dental procedure like a tooth extraction. But if you haven’t had a recent dental procedure, tooth pain is usually a sign of decay or gum disease. Bacteria growing between your teeth and gum can lead to gum disease which can cause pain, redness, and swelling near your gums. Additionally, tooth decay can lead to sensitivity and pain on the surface of your teeth. Regardless of the specific cause of the pain, a quick visit to the dentist is never a bad idea when you begin to notice a toothache.
One reason tooth pain is especially concerning is that the nerves are deeper in the tooth. This means that by the time you start to feel pain you might already have a cavity or another dental problem. Most tooth pain comes from the pulp which is an inner layer inside the tooth. Outside of the pulp there is the dentin and the enamel. When these layers erode due to cavities and bacteria this leads to pain and sensitivity in the pulp. If the decay spreads into the root you may need a root canal to remove the diseased section for your tooth.
The best way to prevent a toothache is to prevent the causes of toothaches. Brushing, flossing, and going to the dentist on a regular basis can help protect your teeth from decay. This is the best way to prevent the spread of decay to the tooth pulp and also protect your teeth long-term. Even if you brush and floss regularly nothing beats an appointment to the dentist to protect your teeth. Part of a dental visit is a full exam for your teeth to catch any of the early warning signs of decay, and the other part is a professional cleaning to handle any bacteria you might not be able to get with just a toothbrush and floss.
If you or a member in your family has a toothache don’t wait to see a dentist. We would be happy to see you at any of our offices in the Chicago area. Give us a call or use our online form to set up a meeting with our team of dentists.
