When to See a Dentist for Toothache
Dental issues, even the mildest ones, can always be disruptive and even painful. A lot of people take for granted being able to eat, drink and go about their daily life comfortably without any tooth pain, which is why when toothache hits, it can be so debilitating and distracting. At best, you may be uncomfortable and in pain throughout the day, and at worst, you may not be able to eat, drink or sleep properly.
Because toothache is so disruptive and painful, you should always know when to see a dentist and also know why it's important to check the root cause of aches and pains.
What is Toothache?
Toothache is in reference to the pain and discomfort felt directly in teeth or even coupled with jaw pain. More severe causes of toothache may even radiate through the entire mouth and jaw. When dealing with toothache, you may find that you experience it on and off, with the pain sometimes being there and sometimes not, while in other causes, you may have extreme pain at all times. No amount of toothache, whether intermittent or constant, should go untreated.
If you're experiencing toothache at any time, it's important to know what causes toothache, as well as when to see a dentist. Keep reading to find out more.
What Causes Toothache?
There are many reasons why you could be experiencing toothache, and a lot of these will relate to the condition of your oral hygiene. If you neglect your daily dental care, as well as neglecting any regular dental health check-ups, you're making it more likely that certain oral problems or diseases will develop, and toothache can be one of the warning signs to watch out for.
Toothache stems from the nerve of the tooth, so the condition of your teeth is going to play a big part in whether your nerve is being negatively affected or not, such as by decay or other irritations. If you have bad breath, this could be a sign that you are experiencing tooth decay or even other conditions like gum disease. Because decay and gum disease affect the condition of your teeth, this, in turn, can affect the makeup of the nerve and result in pain and discomfort.
Another cause of toothache can be teeth grinding. Many people find themselves doing this daily without even realizing that it could be causing serious problems.
It's also possible to experience toothache as the result of an injury, whether this is an injury to an existing tooth or an injury that caused tooth loss.
Teeth grinding can be very common during sleep, which means a lot of people may not be aware that they grind their teeth at all. If you are, therefore, experiencing toothache and wondering why, when you know you haven't suffered any injury and that your oral health is in tip-top shape, it's always possible it could be a result of the grinding and pressure on your teeth. Knowing when to see a dentist includes if you suspect you may grind your teeth or know that you do.
Because there are so many different causes of toothache — and each, in turn, can be a problematic health concern — it's always important to make a regular dental appointment so that a dentist can check the condition of your teeth.
Can Toothache Get Any Worse?
This will depend on the reason for your toothache and the way in which you're treating your mouth and teeth during this time. Generally, toothache can worsen due to certain foods and drinks. Chewing and drinking in themselves can make the pain worse, but particularly hot or cold food and drinks can also irritate and exacerbate the pain.
An injury left untreated, teeth grinding left unacknowledged, or severe dental problems like gum disease ignored can all result in toothache worsening, as well as all other problems related to the root cause, which is why it's urgently important to know when to see a dentist for pain and problems.
When to See a Dentist for Toothache
Just like with any other aches and pains in your body, such as a headache, you might be thinking that you can take regular pain killers and deal with the discomfort. However, toothache can always be a sign that something else is going on with your teeth, which is why it's important to always visit the dentist when you're suffering from any kind of dental issues or specifically tooth pain.
You should always see a dentist if you suspect toothache is a direct result of something else, like an injury or paired with worrying symptoms like gum bleeding or bad breath. It's encouraged to see a dentist for toothache no matter what, but especially if the pain persists so that you can ensure no underlying causes are slowly getting worse.
How to Prevent Toothache and Other Common Dental Problems
A regular dental visit is always the best preventative action for toothache and other problems, as a dentist can then assess the condition of your teeth and be more likely to treat problems before they exacerbate.
Ultimately, good dental hygiene is the best thing you can do to keep your mouth, teeth, and jaw pain-free. This includes brushing and flossing thoroughly every day to ensure no food becomes lodged between teeth and encourages decay. Make sure to floss daily to keep your mouth in its best condition.
If you're unsure how best to floss or plan your oral hygiene routine, a regular dental check-up will also help you to get advice and information from your dentist regarding how you should be cleaning your teeth.
We're Here to Help with Toothache and Other Dental Issues
You can find toothache treatment, dental check-ups, and Ashville dental implants with our service, as well as a comprehensive overall health service. With dental implants Asheville NC, you can ensure a supportive artificial tooth if you have lost any teeth due to decay, an injury, or other dental problems. Get in touch with us today and ensure that your toothache doesn't cause you any more problems.