Toothaches

What are toothaches?

A toothache occurs when you experience mild to severe pain in a specific tooth. Toothaches that worsen or don’t resolve on their own often indicate an underlying dental concern, such as severe decay or trauma. While many toothaches are harmless, ignoring the warning signs can put you at risk of sudden tooth loss or extreme pain.

The sooner you seek treatment for a toothache, the better your chances are of recovering without complications.

What are the symptoms of toothaches?

Not all toothache pain is the same. The pain varies in intensity and can be either constant or intermittent. Your toothache may develop suddenly or gradually. It often depends on the cause behind the pain. Common symptoms of toothaches include:

• Dull ache
• Sharp pain
• Pain when chewing
• Facial swelling
• Swelling around the jaw
• Bad breath
• Fever
• Headache

Another serious toothache symptom is a rush of foul-tasting liquid in the mouth. That is a telltale sign of a ruptured abscess — a pus-filled sac that forms at the base of tooth root. A ruptured abscess can spread potentially harmful bacteria in your mouth that can seep into your bloodstream. If you suspect you have a ruptured abscess, talk to your dentist right away.

What causes toothaches?

Many dental problems can result in painful toothaches, so it’s important to get a proper diagnosis before treatment. Common causes of toothaches include:

• Severe tooth decay
• Advanced gum disease
• Damaged restoration (filling, crown, bridge, etc.)
• Bruxism (teeth grinding)
• Trauma
• Dental abscess

You may also experience a toothache during tooth eruptions. That is a common cause of tooth pain in children with newly erupting permanent teeth. It’s also common in adults with erupting wisdom teeth.

What are the treatments for toothaches?

How your dentist at Belgrade Family Dental treats your toothache depends on the cause. If you have an infection, they may prescribe antibiotics to prevent complications. Other common treatments for tooth pain include:

Root canal

A root canal is a tooth-saving treatment that removes damaged pulp from the center of your tooth. The pulp is a soft material that contains nerves and blood vessels. If it becomes infected, the pulp can cause pain and discomfort. Removing the damaged pulp and replacing it with a biocompatible material can relieve your pain and save your tooth.

Filling

If you have a toothache due to decay, your dentist can remove the decayed portion of the tooth and place a filling to protect it.

Extraction

Sometimes, a tooth is too damaged to repair. In that case, your dentist can extract the damaged or decayed tooth. During a simple extraction, your dentist uses a special tool to loosen the tooth and remove it by the crown. During a surgical extraction, your dentist makes an incision in your gums to remove the tooth.

If you have a toothache, call the experts at Belgrade Family Dental or schedule an appointment online now.