Many of us will experience some kind of a toothache in our lifetime – fewer will experience the more distressing and painful throbbing toothache. So, what do you need to know when experiencing this pain?
Following we’ll look at some of the common causes of toothaches and when you should visit the dentist.
Common causes of toothache:
Inflammation and cavity pain – deep inside all of your teeth is small space packed with living tissue that provides the tooth with sensation to sweetness, pressure, heat and cold. This tissue can become susceptible to infection and/or inflammation – resulting in pain. (by the way, dentists call this small organ ‘the pulp’).
Root sensitivity – mild, infrequent tooth pain can be the result of root sensitivity, which tends to occur when the outer layers of the tooth have been eroded through poor diet or dental hygiene practices and also excessive grinding or clenching.
Less common causes of toothache:
Trauma – due to injury, biting on something hard, clenching or grinding the teeth.
Sinus infection – the build up of inflammation and pressure from the sinuses can be the cause tooth pain.
Food becoming stuck between the teeth – this places pressure on your gums, which can cause pain.
Depending on the severity of the pain, a visit to your dentist may not be immediately necessary. However, it would be wise to schedule a consultation, and make notes about the nature of the pain in the meantime – when and where you are experiencing pain, how long does it last? What makes it better, or, worse, and for how long?
If, on the other hand, you are experiencing intense, lingering tooth pain or a severe toothache with fever or swelling – you need to get in to see a dentist as soon as possible.
At Moss Vale Dental we offer emergency appointments to our established patients. For after-hours emergency care, or on weekends and public holidays we have a recorded message on 4869 3111.
If you’re experiencing any kind of tooth pain, please contact Dr Patrick Meaney or Dr Miree Cho at Moss Vale Dental today on (02) 4869 3111, and schedule an appointment to get some advice.
