All too often dental patients who come into our Monroe NC dentist office have likely experienced tooth pain at some point in their lives. For many, the pain is temporary and goes away in a few hours or within a day. For those with prolonged pain, it’s important to contact Dr. Mjahed to determine the cause of tooth pain.
Symptoms of Toothache
Toothache is pain, soreness, or ache around a tooth and the gums. The pain can feel sharp or shooting and cause extreme discomfort and lead to headaches. You may also have a severe sensitivity to hot or cold foods and beverages. Additionally, toothache may be accompanied by fever, which can signify infection.
What Causes Toothache?
Toothache may result for a number of reasons, however the most common are listed below:
Tooth Decay
Tooth decay, or cavities, results from the erosion of tooth enamel caused by the acid created by the bacteria in our mouths. This is the most common cause for tooth pain among dental patients.
Cavities form when the sugars and starches from leftover food in our mouth begin to form plaque. Basic oral hygiene at home and limited consumption of such foods is the best way to avoid cavities.
Gum Disease
Gum disease is an inflammation of the gums caused by infection. The beginning stages are called gingivitis which causes swollen, red, and aching gums.
If left untreated, gum infections can worsen and lead to a more severe problem like periodontal disease. Without treatment, the infection will lead to bone loss and deterioration of the gums. Eventually, the gums will detach from the teeth, exposing the tooth root to more decay and bacteria, which may require a root canal or tooth extraction.
Sensitive Teeth
When we regularly feel sharp pain from exposure to hot or cold foods or the air, it could be a sign of a cavity, damaged fillings, or a cracked tooth. If we don’t have sensitive teeth in general, it is likely that the dentin, or layer below the enamel of the tooth is exposed as a result of something going on with our oral health.
Abscessed Tooth
When the pulp inside the tooth becomes infected and/or kills part of the nerve, the tooth becomes abscessed. The infection is usually due to an untreated cavity. Signs of abscessed tooth include swelling, pain when chewing, and red gums.
Trauma to the Tooth
Sports injuries, teeth grinding or clenching at night, or eating something hard like a popcorn kernel can cause a tooth to crack. Pain associated with a cracked tooth will present when biting down, chewing, or eating or drinking hot or cold foods and beverages.
If you also have jaw pain, it could mean that you grind or clench your teeth without realizing and your dentist may recommend a custom mouthguard for you to wear when you sleep.
Impacted Wisdom Teeth
Because evolution has essentially rendered our wisdom teeth useless, the shape of our mouths today differ greatly from those of our ancestors from thousands of years ago. There simply is not enough room in our mouths to accommodate our wisdom teeth.
Many patients experience impacted teeth that push against the others in our mouth causing a constant and throbbing pain. After a tooth x-ray to confirm the impact, you will likely have the teeth extracted to relieve the pain.
When to Call the Our Monroe Family Dentist
Schedule an appointment with Dr. Marra as soon as possible if the toothache:
- Has persisted for longer than two days
- You are in severe pain
- You have a fever, earache, or pain when opening your mouth wide.
Toothaches can spread infection to other parts of the body, so it’s important to have them treated in a timely and appropriate manner.
Call the friendly staff at Monroe Family Dentistry at 704-753-0753 to visit your dentist today and determine the cause of your tooth pain. We proudly serve the Monroe, NC community.
Get Treated For Tooth Pain At Our Dental Practice in Monroe, NC
Monroe Family Dentistry is there for you and your children from day one and we are happy to work with you and your child to start habits from birth. If you live near Monroe, NC call us to schedule an appointment today at 704.776.4278.
These are just some of the services we provide. To learn more about our dental practice in Monroe NC and the services we provide, call us or submit an appointment request.
