Toothaches may come in different forms.Theyt can be quick and razor-sharp.Theyt can be a sore, tender, and throbbing kind of pain.theyt can be persistent or sporadic. The intensity can range from mild to severe.
Toothaches can be accompanied by inflammation in the tooth area.Theyt can come with a headache or fever. You may find it difficult to breathe or swallow, as chewing food might be painful. When infected, the tooth may have some discharge, which tastes and smells bad.
If you have a toothache, it is best to find out its cause so that you know the appropriate treatment for it. A dentist will recommend treatment based on the cause. and intensity of the pain.
What are the common causes of toothache. and their corresponding solutions?
Teeth Grinding/Gum Chewing
The repetitive motion involved when you grind your teeth, or chew gum habitually, can cause an uneven bite, and tooth fissures which undermine the teeth, and cause pain in the area. Your Rockville dentist will probably urge you to use a mouth guard when you sleep as protection for your teeth. He may also suggest that you stop chewing gum.
Thinning or Loss of Enamel
A diet that is heavy on acidic food, toothbrush abrasion, gum disease and aging are just some of the factors that can cause enamel thinning/loss. The loss of enamel exposes the sensitive inner part of the tooth. The outcome is tooth sensitivity. In such cases, dentists usually recommend the use of desensitizers for easy and fast relief. Long-term treatment reduces hypersensitivity, and seals the micro cracks and dentin tubules to reduce pain.
Tooth Decay
Inadequate dental hygiene and poor nutrition can result in tooth decay that leads to toothache. Your dentist will address the tooth decay through treatments appropriate to the degree of decay. They may do an amalgam or composite filling. They may do a root canal when the nerve is damaged or the root pulp is exposed. When there is a large extent of tooth surface involved (rendering dental filling inadequate and impractical), your dentist may suggest a dental veneer or crown as a better solution.
Tooth Abscess or Infection
If tooth decay is extensive, it can result in an abscess or infection. Your dentist is likely to propose pain and antibiotic treatment plan until the abscess subsides. He will then do a root canal. After which, they may strengthen the damaged tooth with a veneer or crown to finish the restoration process.
Fractures or Cracks in Teeth
Normal wear and tear, trauma, and teeth grinding can cause your teeth to crack or fracture, causing tooth sensitivity. Your dentist may suggest doing a dental veneer or crown to protect the teeth from further damage.
Impacted Third Molars or Wisdom Teeth
Wisdom teeth that have failed to fully surface can cause shifting or crowding of neighboring teeth. It can also cause pain, swelling, and even damage and infect the adjoining teeth. Your dentist is likely to advise oral surgery to take out the impacted wisdom teeth and bring relief.
