Toothaches are often times extremely painful. It always happens at the worst possible time and it’s never something that just goes away on its own. A lot of the time, it indicates something serious is going on in the mouth. However, there are many different reasons that you could be experiencing pain. Continue reading to learn more about the reasons behind toothaches and whether or not you may be experiencing a dental emergency in Edmond.
What Are the Causes of a Toothache?
No matter what type of pain you are feeling, your best option is to have your mouth examined by a same day appointment dentist. Generally, here are the more common reasons that you may be experiencing a toothache:
- Tooth decay: Cavities are the most common cause of toothaches. You should see your dentist to have this treated before it progresses into an abscess.
- Infection: When tooth decay progresses, it can lead to an infected tooth or abscess. This is often excruciatingly painful. Root canal therapy is often times the solution.
- Bruxism (teeth grinding): If you grind and clench your jaw when you sleep or are stressed, you can wear down the surface of your teeth. It is sometimes accompanied by headaches and facial pain.
- Abnormal bite: Misaligned teeth can strain the jaw muscles which ultimately can lead to pain and discomfort.
- Periodontal disease: If you have advanced gum disease, you may experience sore, bleeding gums, painful chewing, and tooth loss.
- Tooth trauma: When a tooth is broken, chipped, cracked, or a filling or crown has been damaged, you may experience increased sensitivity and pain.
- Tooth eruption (in children): When a new tooth begins cutting through the gumline, a child may be experiencing pain as a result. This generally disappears once the tooth has fully grown in.
What Other Symptoms Accompany a Toothache?
In addition to pain, certain issues are accompanied by other abnormalities in your body. Here are some symptoms that, when accompanied by a toothache, could indicate something serious is going on and you should see your dentist immediately:
- Fever
- Foul taste in mouth
- Difficulty breathing or swallowing
- Swelling
- Pain when biting
- Continuous pain that doesn’t subside
If you leave a bacterial infection untreated, you could develop sepsis, which is when your body goes overboard in fighting back the infection. This can be life threatening if you do not get treated right away. If the reason behind your toothache is an infection, it’s important that you receive care immediately.
If you are unfortunate enough to be experiencing a toothache, give your emergency dentist a call. They will be able to give you proper guidance. Together, you and your dentist can get to the root of the problem so you can get on with your busy life, pain-free.
About the Author
Dr. M. Kent Smith provides a wide variety of services, including emergency dental care, at his practice in Edmond, OK. He earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery from the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston and has gained over three decades of experience. Dr. Smith continues to pursue continuing education opportunities to expand his knowledge in the field. For more information or to schedule an emergency appointment, visit his website or call (405) 341-7773.