Understanding What Causes a Toothache and Treatments

Toothaches are no fun. That feeling of your heart pounding, surfaces, or ache in your head. It is more likely to interrupt your day or make it difficult to focus. Toothache can be a sign that you need to visit a dentist. You should know the main reasons for getting toothaches. It will help you decide what immediate measure you should take. You may need to book an appointment with your trusted dental services.

What Causes a Toothache?

Toothaches are the result of the pulp irritation or inflammation. The pulp is the innermost part containing nerve and blood vessels of the tooth.

  • Cavities: Cavities cause aches. They form from plaque and acidic erosion from sugary diets. As a cavity gets into a deeper stage, it makes a tooth become sensitive to hot and cold drinks.
  • Abscessed Tooth: When there’s a cavity, the bacteria may enter the pulp. It may form an abyss of pus. This is a critical dental health problem. It can develop into excruciating toothache, swelling, and temperature higher than normal. You may need to undergo immediate emergency dental care.
  • Cracked Tooth: A split or a cracked tooth can be due to chewing hard things or injuries. The pain either be continuous or not. The level of the exposed nerves’ soreness determines the seriousness of the cracking.
  • Damaged Fillings or Crowns: Fillings or crowns may be loose, chipped, or worn off. This weakness may lead to the irritation of the underlying tooth structure. This causes pain and sensitivity.
  • Gum Disease: The gums get inflamed or infected (gingivitis or periodontitis). The tender roots of the teeth may be an irritant and cause discomfort. Gum disease can even lead to teeth falling off in cases in which the disease becomes acute.
  • Teeth Grinding (Bruxism): Chewing or clenching the teeth. It causes the jaw to receive too much pressure. Including pain amongst the teeth, resulting in toothaches, jaw pain, and even headaches.

When to See a Professional

Not everybody hurting their teeth must go to the hospital for urgent dental care.

Mild to moderate toothaches: If the pain is from time to time and at a tolerable level. You can immediately schedule a visit to a general dentist within the next couple of days. You should watch out for any changes in the pain level.

Sudden and severe toothaches: If there’s a sharp, chronic, and throbbing pain. Or if you’ve got swellings, high temperature, or trouble breathing. You should seek urgent care. This can be a sign of dental abscess which demands immediate treatment.

Seeking the Right Help 

Know when to go for general dentistry or emergency dental care.

  1. General Dentistry: You can get professional help for taking good care of your teeth and gums. They can determine what the root of your toothache is. They will come up with treatment options. You can avoid recurring issues by doing regular checkups. Don’t forget to schedule frequent regular checkups.
  2. Emergency Dental Care: This is when you have extreme tooth irregularity. Also, if there is a problem with the breathing or swelling of your face. The emergency dentist deals with urgent cases. Such as removing an abscessed tooth. Also seizing the control of dental trauma or relieving of severe pain.
  3. Treatments Treatment options will depend on the underlying cause but may include:
  4. Fillings or restorations: Cavities formed by decay of the teeth. The dentist will cut away the decayed part of it. Then they will fill the cavity with either a composite resin or amalgam.
  5. Root canal therapy: Tooth decay or dental trauma may end up with pulp inflammation. Root canal procedures can be useful. This involves the removal of the infected pulp or the damaged one. Also, cleaning and disinfection of the root canal. Then seal it to avoid further diseases or infections.
  6. Extraction: This is best in cases of severe decay, wounds, and wisdom teeth. It relieves pain and prevents future issues. Among other options, dental implants or bridges could replace it.
  7. Antibiotics: Antimicrobial mouth rinses can treat toothaches. The dentist may recommend antibiotics to kill bacteria. They also prevent the infection from spreading to the whole body. The mouthwashes have antibacterial features.
  8. Pain Management: The dentist treats the disease that caused the toothache. Dentists may also recommend pain relievers or over-the-counter painkillers. These will help manage the pain until the pros fix everything.

Live Pain-Free

In Kenosha, Wisconsin, the best dental care for people is from reputable dentists. They specialize in emergency and general dentistry. Be it a sudden ache or intending to undergo regular preventive routine services. You entrust your oral health to Pat Crawford DDS. We are the best dentist in Kenosha. We ensure individualized care and holistic solutions for your dental needs. Get in touch with us by calling 262-694-5191 or by booking an appointment here.

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