Blog

If you have a toothache, it’s not always easy to get it checked out. There are lots of reasons why people ignore or learn to live with dental pain —anxiety, not being registered with a dental practice, or not being able to take the time away from work, school, college, or parental or caring responsibilities. Some people just simply hope the problem will go away on its own. 

There’s never a good time to get toothache, and life can make it difficult to address it. But it’s vital that you do seek help. 

What causes toothache? What happens if you ignore dental pain? How is toothache treated? And, how can you avoid toothache in future? 

Find out why you should never ignore toothache along with the answers to all these questions in this guide. 

What Causes Toothache?

There are several degrees of toothache. You may experience sensitivity in your teeth, particularly when you eat or drink anything that’s either very cold or hot. This usually indicates the outer layer or enamel is eroding as a result of exposure to the acid left behind by bacteria which feed on sugars in your mouth. 

Another cause of enamel erosion is grinding your teeth (bruxism). You may do this during your sleep or you may clench your teeth during the day. This could be caused by stress and anxiety, a sleep disorder, as a side effect of certain medications, or because you have a misaligned bite. 

As the erosion continues a cavity may form in your tooth. You may notice the pain is almost always there. It could feel dull or sharp. 

Injury to your tooth can also cause pain. You may break a tooth by biting into something very hard, or through trauma to the face. As bacteria enters the damaged tooth, this will cause pain. 

Whatever causes the damage in your tooth, if bacteria enter the living tissue in the pulp chamber, it will cause infection. When infection occurs, the living tissue becomes inflamed to fight the infection and presses against nerve endings. The result is constant throbbing pain. 

You may also have pain if you have an abscess. This is an infection under the tooth. Other causes include emerging or impacted wisdom teeth. Sometimes, when wisdom teeth develop, there isn’t enough room for them to grow so they press against other teeth or grow in uncomfortable ways. 

Why Should You Never Ignore Toothache? 

Whether you’re experiencing sensitivity, a dull ache, a sharp pain, or an intense throbbing, it’s your body warning you of a problem. 

Milder tooth pain usually indicates damage to the outer part of your tooth. But if you have a cavity, crack, or chip on your tooth, bacteria may soon penetrate deeper, causing infection. 

Dental infections could cause you to lose the tooth. And, even after losing a tooth, the infection could spread to your other teeth, or your gums and jaw. In some cases, infections enter the bloodstream and spread to the vital organs, posing a risk to your life. 

What Treatments Are Used for Toothache?

If your dental enamel has started eroding, it may not be too late to save it. Improved brushing, the use of fluoride toothpaste to remineralise your teeth, and a professional hygiene treatment can all help.

If you have a cavity or damage to your teeth, repair is the best option. Treatments to repair damaged teeth include fillings, composite bonding, and dental crowns. 

How Can You Prevent Toothache?

There are a few things you do to prevent toothache, including:

• Reviewing your brushing techniques – Brush your teeth morning and night ensuring you spend time on every surface of each tooth. 
• Floss – Bacteria and food particles trapped between your teeth can cause tooth decay. Flossing right to below the gum line helps keep these spaces clean. 
• Use mouthwash – Rinsing with mouthwash increases the protection against bacteria
• Cut down on sugars – Bacteria love sugars and starches. Reducing your intake gives them less to feed on. 
• Visit us – Routine examinations twice a year help us spot potential problems long before they cause pain. Hygiene appointments can also help you maintain good oral health.

Book Your Checkup Now

Don’t wait for a toothache to tell you when you need to go to the dentist. A checkup before helps identify the early signs while you can easily do something about them. 

Call today and schedule your next appointment.